This is how to cook fresh Crockpot green beans without bacon! It’s a super easy slow cooker recipe that is cheap to make and a healthy vegetable side dish for the holidays.
Fresh beans are often overlooked and forgotten about. Yes you can buy cans you can just warm up, and we will go over that too in this post, but unprocessed is always so much better. You get a bit of a snap still and can cook to as tender as you want, seasoned to your liking.
Ok so years ago I made and shared green beans with ham, which is amazing. During the holiday though, many times I want to cook all of these things separately. If you have picky eaters (like my husband…not naming any names) you may be shaking your heads in agreement with me right now too. 😉 SO here are directions for just the beans….
How Long to Cook Fresh Green Beans in Crockpot
Ok so this part is subjective a bit. When it comes to cooking vegetables everyone has their preferences as far as the texture goes. I like to leave a bit more, I like them with a bit of a “chew” to them as I might explain it. Others want them to just melt in their mouth (which is a no go for me). SO there is a range, but you are looking at 4 hours for fresh, give or take, for planning purposes. 😉
I will say that it is quite a bit longer than How Long to Cook Fresh Green Beans on Stove of course but this is a great way of set it and forget it. When Thanksgiving and Christmas time arrives, this is what I am looking for. Something that doesn’t require an oven (because that is always full), and I don’t have to stir along the way. It can sit on warm for a while when done too so win win.
How Long to Cook Canned Green Beans in Crock pot
All you are doing is warming these so it takes about half the time at closer to 2 hours with just the liquid that is in the can(s) and seasonings. It is a great way to set it and forget it for the holidays when you want to cook items outside the oven. When done just set to warm and people can serve over a longer period of time.
Frozen Green Beans in Slow Cooker
Let’s just discuss all the ways shall we?? We talk all about different ways of How to Cook Frozen Green Beans here but low and slow is broken down here. Honestly it is the same cook time (give or take depending on preferences) than fresh explained below. Reason being is it takes a bit of time to defrost so it all evens out. I do still think the overall texture is best with fresh, just my opinion.
Ingredient Notes
Ideally as you can see here you would want to start with fresh produce, I used 2 lbs. fresh green beans with ends cut off. This will give you the ideal texture and flavor.
Vegetable broth or chicken broth is the liquid necessary, the type is really up to you depending on the flavor profile you are looking for so choose which speaks to you in this case
- Shallots diced, or use yellow onion
- Garlic minced will give a pop of flavor
- Butter should be salted, Kerrygold is my favorite for creaminess
- Salt and pepper to taste at beginning and when served are basic seasonings
Can you add ham hocks?
Yes, this makes a great leftover ham recipe with diced bits the day after the holidays or this is how to cook ham hocks in slow cooker from the get go, slow cooked in the middle of beans
FAQ
Green beans with bacon and onions is simple to throw together. You can use fresh, frozen or canned to make this in a few hours. Corn is simple too with just a bit of broth, butter and salt.
Yes, most slow cookers have a “warm” setting, which is ideal for keeping cooked vegetables at a safe serving temperature (around 165°F or 74°C) without continuing to cook them significantly. Keep in mind that the texture will continue to soften slightly as they sit so 1 hour is ideal but could push to 2 hours if you enjoy a softer outcome. Beyond that it should be cooled and stored in the fridge in sealed containers.
Crockpot Green Beans Recipe
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
Instructions
- Clean and cut the ends off the green beans and place in the bottom of a 6 quart slow cooker. Set aside.
- (this sauteing step is optional but will yield more flavor, you can alternatively put everything in and fold ingredients together) In a small saucepan, place the butter and the finely minced shallot, and saute for about 5-6 minutes, until soft and translucent.
- Add in the minced garlic, the thyme (stems and all), salt and pepper and stir and cook for another minute. Scoop the shallot mixture over the green beans and pour in the vegetable stock. (add bacon bits now if you want to)
- Give it a good stir and set the slow cooker on low and cook for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Once the beans are tender, remove the thyme stems and discard.
- Serve green beans immediately. Garnish with fresh squeezed lemon juice and thyme leaves. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Notes
Canned Green Beans in Slow Cooker
- Use 3 cans drained instead of fresh
- Follow rest of directions above
- Cut timing down to about 2 hours on low or until as warm as you’d like.
Frozen Green Beans in Slow Cooker
- Follow same directions as above for fresh
- Timing doesn’t change
- Best results if stirred twice during 4 hour timing
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
