Daily Meal Journal

Slow Cooker Green Beans

These slow cooker green beans are made with bacon, tomato, onion, and flavorful spices for a tangy, delicious, and simple holiday side dish recipe.

By Leah Perez   Published: Aug 7, 2023

Jump to Recipe
Slow Cooker Green Beans
Yields:
8 - 10 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
4 hr 20 mins

Caitlin BenselYields: 8 - 10 serving(s)Prep Time: 20 minsTotal Time: 4 hrs 20 minsSavePrintWhen it feels like every nook and cranny of your oven, stove top, and refrigerator are jam-packed with holiday dishes, these slow cooker green beans can braise away in the background. Planning a perfect Thanksgiving or Christmas menu can be a daunting task, so, make sure to have plenty of make-ahead and slow cooker recipes handy! These green beans are inspired by some of Ree’s favorite Spanish green beans with tomatoes. The beautiful and festive red and green tones of the tangy dish “lends a flavorful punch that’s amazingly complementary to the rest of the typical Thanksgiving grub,” she says. Because this green bean recipe can be made with either fresh or frozen green beans, there is no need to limit this delicious side to just one holiday!

Yes, the beauty of the gentle heat of a slow cooker (even when it’s on high) is that it is perfect for braising. With just a little bit of liquid, the slow cooker has the power to turn tough chuck beef into tender pot roast, raw potatoes into luscious scalloped potatoes, and raw green beans into a succulent vegetable side dish.

If fresh green beans are not available due to seasonality (usually May to October), substitute 2 pounds of frozen green beans. Canned green beans are already boiled during the canning process and will not hold their shape as well as frozen or raw. Plus, starting from frozen and raw gives you the opportunity to season the green beans from the start with smoky bacon and tomatoes.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Step 1
    In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crispy, 7 to 9 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving the drippings in the skillet. Add the onion to the skillet and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is softened and lightly golden, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds. Add the broth and scrape up any browned bits. Add the mixture to a 6-quart slow cooker.
  2. Step 2
    To the slow cooker, add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, paprika, oregano, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and half of the bacon, stirring well to combine. Stir in the green beans.
  3. Step 3
    Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
  4. Step 4
    Stir the vinegar into the green beans and taste for salt. Cover and cook for 1 hour until the beans are tender.
  5. Step 5
    Hold on warm for up to 4 hours. Serve with remaining crispy bacon.