Green Beans and Potatoes (Southern Recipe)

Fresh green beans and red potatoes are simmered on the stove top in a rich and flavorful broth with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings. It’s the perfect side dish to pair with holiday recipes and a classic Southern soul food recipe that’s perfect for Sunday supper. 

This Southern green beans and potatoes recipe is my personal favorite and one the whole family loves. My Granna would always make them for Sunday dinner and on holidays and special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re made with simple ingredients like new potatoes, smoked turkey, onion, garlic, seasoned salt, and pepper. 

What makes this Southern style string beans recipe stand out is the rich and smoky broth, which takes 1 to 2 hours of simmering, then another 45 minutes for the green beans and potatoes to become soft and tender, and infused with the best flavor. 

It’s an easy side dish, like boiled cabbage or collard greens with ham hocks, that exemplify the saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”

For more dinner recipes, check out our Soul Food Sunday Dinner Ideas roundup.

Ingredients

• 4 quarts water
• 1 smoked turkey leg 
• 1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 teaspoons Better Than Bouillon chicken base (or 2 tbs bouillon powder or 2 cubes)
• 1 pound small red potatoes, quartered
• Seasoned salt, to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Recipe Substitutions

• Smoked Meat: Substitute with one smoked turkey wings or 2 smoked ham hocks. 
• Potatoes: Russet potatoes, Yukon Gold, or baby potatoes are fine to use.
• Bouillon: Two tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder or two chicken bouillon cubes can be used as an alternative to chicken base. Alternatively, use liquid chicken broth, chicken stock, or vegetable broth.
• Seasonings: Instead of fresh garlic and onion, you can use 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon onion powder.

Special Equipment and Tools

• Large Stockpot: You’ll need a large stockpot or Dutch oven to accommodate enough water and the smoked meat (turkey, ham hock, etc.).
• Cooking Utensils: You’ll need basic cooking utensils like a ladle, slotted spoon, and tongs for handling the food.
• Forks or Shredding Tools: You’ll need forks or other shredding tools to remove the meat from the drumstick and shred it.

Directions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Broth: In a large pot, combine 4 quarts of cold water and smoked turkey drumstick. Place the pot over medium high heat and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil. Allow this to cook for about 1 to 2 hours. This step helps the smoked meat cook and infuse the broth with flavor. Also, the longer you cook it, the easier the meat will be to shred.
2. Step 2: Combine Everything: After the 1-hour mark, add more water if needed, just enough to cover the drumstick. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chicken base (or bouillon). Taste and adjust with seasoned salt. It should taste like a flavorful, salty broth. Now, add the green beans and potatoes. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Check them about halfway through to be careful not to overcook them.
3. Step 3: Shred Turkey Meat: Turn the stove off and carefully remove the turkey leg from the pot. The meat should be fork tender. Using two forks or your fingers (if you let it cool slightly), remove the skin and start pulling the meat apart. This will create small shreds of meat. Keep shredding until you’ve broken down all the meat from the leg. Add the meat back to the broth, giving it a good stir. Discard the skin and bones.
4. Step 4: Serve and Enjoy: Use a slotted spoon to ladle green beans and tender potatoes onto your plate or bowl. Be sure to scoop up some of the delicious meat and pot liquor (pot likker). Season with black pepper, serve, and enjoy!

How Long to Boil Green Beans

The boiling time for fresh green beans will vary depending on how you’re preparing them and your desired level of doneness. For this Southern soul food recipe, green beans are cooked at a low boil until soft, about 45 minutes. Check them at about the 30 minute mark, being careful not to overcook. If you prefer a crisp-tender texture, be sure to check them more frequently.

How to Store Leftover Green Beans and Potatoes

When properly stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, leftover green beans can be safe to eat for up to 3-4 days. However, the quality may start to decline after the first day or two. For best results, we do not recommend making this recipe ahead of time. Reheat leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover it with a lid or safe plastic wrap (leave a small vent), and heat on medium power in short intervals. 

Serving Suggestions

Green beans and potatoes are a classic Southern soul food side dish, and they pair wonderfully with a variety of other soulful favorite side dishes. Here are some traditional soul food and comfort food recipes that go well with green beans:

• Fried Chicken
• Southern Macaroni and Cheese
• Gouda Mac and Cheese
• Smothered Chicken
• Grilled Pork Chops, Smothered Pork Chops, or Deep Fried Pork Chops
• Candied Yams (Sweet Potatoes)
• Fried Catfish

Summary

Fresh green beans and red potatoes simmered to perfection in a savory broth enriched with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Ideal for Sunday suppers or festive holidays, this soulful dish brings the heartwarming flavors of Southern tradition to your table.

Green Beans and Potatoes

cooks with soul

Fresh green beans and red potatoes are simmered on the stove top in a rich and flavorful broth with smoked turkey, onion, garlic, and seasonings. 

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Total Time 2 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

Cuisine Soul Food

Servings 4 -6 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 4 quarts water
• 1 smoked turkey leg
• 1 1/2 pounds green beans trimmed and halved crosswise
• 1 yellow onion chopped
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 2 teaspoons chicken base or 2 tablespoons bouillon powder
• 1 pound small red potatoes quartered
• Seasoned salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• In a large stockpot, combine 4 quarts of water and the smoked turkey drumstick.
• Place the pot over high heat and bring it to a boil.
• Once boiling, cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle boil.
• Allow this to cook for about 1 to 2 hours. This step helps the smoked meat cook and infuse the broth with flavor.
• After the 1-hour mark, add more water if needed, just enough to cover the drumstick.
• Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chicken base (or bouillon). Taste and adjust with seasoned salt, if needed.
• Now, add the green beans and potatoes.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Check them about halfway through to be careful not to overcook them.
• Turn off the stove and carefully remove the turkey leg from the pot.
• Using two forks or your fingers (if it has cooled slightly), remove the skin and start pulling the meat apart. This will create small shreds of meat.
• Add the shredded meat back to the broth, giving it a good stir. Discard the skin and bones.
• Use a slotted spoon to ladle green beans and potatoes onto your plate or bowl. Be sure to scoop up some of the delicious turkey and broth.
• Season with ground black pepper, then serve and enjoy!

Notes

This recipe is adapted from Kevin Bludso’s “String Beans with Red Potatoes and Smoked Turkey Necks” in Bludso’s BBQ cookbook. 

Keyword green beans and potatoes, smoked turkey leg

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