These slow cooker canned green beans are one of those set-it-and-forget-it sides every Southern cook needs in their back pocket. Made with just 7 simple ingredients, including canned green beans and crisped-up bacon bits (not adding in raw bacon here!), this low-maintenance dish simmers away in the crock pot for 4-6 hours. The result? A slightly sweet, buttery Southern green bean that's tender, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. With 24 servings, it's a go-to for holidays, potlucks, or any big gathering where you need a reliable and delicious side.
Gosh I loooovvveeee a green bean!
Green beans are hands down my favorite vegetable.
No question about it.
And I self-admittedly LOVE a canned green bean. Our pantry is always stocked with them - they are such an easy vegetable side dish with any dinner recipe I am making for us.
And you know us Southerners, we love to host a get-together, and this is the perfect low-maintenance dish to have at any holiday gathering or party because it feeds a crowd! Let me show you how easy it is.
Reader Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"I used my Ninja Foodie to cook the bacon. I drained the grease then added all the ingredients back to the pot and cooked on slow cook function. The crispy bacon, browned bits and butter were a game changer! Normally my MIL puts a couple raw strips of bacon in her beans and onions and they're meh. Your recipe beats "mom's beans"!! Thank you!!"
- Holly
⭐️PRO TIP ⭐️- when frying up your bacon, use some kitchen scissors* and cut the raw bacon strips into small pieces directly into the skillet. That way you are cooking up bacon bits immediately instead of frying up strips and then having to crumble up later. Way less messy IMO and I have been doing this for years. I like to get mine from the Dollar Store and just stock up on a couple of pairs since they are cheap and need to get replaced every so often (or you can use the Amazon link above).
⭐️Tip on the green beans ⭐️ - use any cut/style and brand you like, just make sure they are unseasoned. I have made this recipe dozens of times for friends and family and have used different varieties of green beans, just depending on what was in my pantry or at the store, and any of them work fine - just a personal preference. I prefer to either use flat Italian style or just the regular cut green beans. They sell big 100-ounce cans at most grocery stores or places like Costco - but you can also just use small cans if needed to add up to the amount ( roughly 7-8 regular 14-ounce cans will be needed).
Recipe
Ridiculously Easy Slow Cooker Canned Green Beans
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 1x
Description
These slow cooker canned green beans are one of those set-it-and-forget-it sides every Southern cook needs in their back pocket. Made with just 7 simple ingredients, including canned green beans and crisped-up bacon bits, this low-maintenance dish simmers away in the crock pot for 4-6 hours. The result? A slightly sweet, buttery Southern green bean that's tender, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. With 24 servings, it's a go-to for holidays, potlucks, or any big gathering where you need a reliable and delicious side.
Ingredients
- ½ Pound Bacon (6-7 slices) - cut into bits
- 100 Ounces of Canned Green Beans
- ¼ Cup Brown Sugar
- 4 Tablespoons Butter
- ½ Onion - finely diced
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Pepper
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, place the bacon that has been sliced into bits. Cook until finished. Remove cooked bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
- In a slow cooker, add cooked bacon bits, green beans, brown sugar, butter, finely diced onion, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and turn on low to cook for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Enjoy when ready.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3 days.
- This recipe feeds a crowd for the holidays but can easily be halved if you don't need to fix this much.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 Hours
- Category: Sides & Veggies
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ Cup
- Calories: 66
- Sugar: 2.4 g
- Sodium: 86.1 mg
- Fat: 5.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.8 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1.2 g
- Cholesterol: 11.2 mg
Do you drain the green beans first??
Nope! You put in the beans not drained!
I used my Ninja Foodie to cook the bacon. I drained the grease then added all the ingredients back to the pot and cooked on slow cook function. The crispy bacon, browned bits and butter were a game changer! Normally my MIL puts a couple raw strips of bacon in her beans and onions and they’re meh. Your recipe beats “mom’s beans”!! Thank you!!
Oh my goodness - thank you so much for the sweet comment Holly! This makes my day to hear you liked them so much. I agree - the crispy bacon is where it is at! I love this recipe so much and glad you did too! 🙂
Can I add garlic to it
I am sure you can - I have never done that before though so can't speak to how it alters the recipe.
I would love to make this for Thanksgiving!
2 questions :
Can I Use onion powder instead of 1 onion?
Can I use Italian cut green beans or should I stick with regular green beans?
Thank you!
Hi Mandy! Onion powder would work too - may not give as much of the onion flavor but it will help. I would say 1-2 teaspoons and taste to adjust as needed. Dehydrated onions would work too. And Italian style would be great! Any cut of green beans works just fine! Hope y'all enjoy - my family loves this recipe.
Hi Heather,
What size crockpot are you using for 100 oz of green beans? I'm cooking for a holiday potluck and have an 8 quart crockpot. I was hoping to feed quite a few people.
I have an 8 quart and it works great - it will be full but will still fit!
Thanks for this easy recipe! I am cooking for a fellowship dinner after church tomorrow, ahead of time of course. I have been cooking since about the age of nine, and turn 58 yesterday. I have never thought about cooking green beans this way. Will definitely let you know how they turned out.
That's so wonderful! I hope you enjoy it Lynn!
Could you put can potatoes in this recipe
I am not sure - I have never done it before. I don't see why you couldn't - I would use a new potato and cut up in quarters so that it cooks quickly. Hope that helps!
Love this recipe. I tried it for Thanksgiving last year and everyone raved about it. Making it again tonight.
I am so glad - it is one of our favorites!
Delicious! I replaced 2 cups of the canned bean water with chicken broth. Otherwise, made as shown. A keeper! Southern style like my grandmother made. Perfect for a crowd at Easter.
I am so glad you liked this Kristen! It's one of our favorites and definitely great for any holiday!
Could you replace the bacon with ham hock and add some bacon grease?
I have never done that before but I don't see why it wouldn't work!
What is the liquid in this recipe?
The liquid in the can of green beans - you don't drain them, just add it all in. Hope this helps! 🙂
Can I get this ready the night before and cook the next morning? Also could sliced almonds be added? If so when should they be added?
Thank you
Yes, prepping the night before should be fine. I have never done it but I would just add everything in the slow cooker bottom and keep sealed in the fridge overnight. As for the almonds, I have never added those either but would say to add at the very end to keep the crunch. Hope that helps!
Thank you for your advice. Can’t wait to try this.