Bill Miller Green Bean Recipe
The Bill Miller Green Bean Recipe is the definition of comfort food: easy, nutritious, and delicious. You can use it to get the flavor of a Texas BBQ party at home.
Equipment
- A big Dutch oven or large saucepan (to simmer in).
- A wooden spoon (type, to stir).
- A sharp knife and a cutting board (to cut the bacon, onion and garlic).
- Measuring cups and spoons.
- Spoon with a slit (useful to serve).
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh green beans trimmed; frozen is ok when fresh is not available
- 4 thick-cut bacon or 1/2 cup chopped ham to add more smoke flavor to the soup.
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium broth in case you wish you could control salt more
- 1 teaspoon salt begin with light, and add to flavor
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika not a necessity, but there is a deeper smoky kick
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes Optional, to add some heat
Instructions
- Cook the bacon. Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven/saucepan on medium heat until it is crispy. Wipe away the bacon, chop and keep it aside. Retain some 2 tablespoons of the drippings of the bacon in the pan.
- Sauté the aromatics. In the pan, add diced onion and cook until it is soft and translucent. Add in the garlic and saute approximately 30 seconds- just a few seconds until fragrant.
- Add the beans and broth. Add the green beans and the chicken broth. Salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes are added to taste. Stir everything together.
- Simmer. Boil and turn down to a simmer. Add the lid and cook beans about 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and full of flavor.
- Finish and serve. Add in the crumbled bacon, then serve. Add flavor and add spices.
- Use hot, ideally with cornbread or something smoky like some BBQ.