🥔 Southern Green Beans with Ham and Potatoes: Bubba’s Slow-Simmered Country Comfort

Howdy there, friend — Bubba here! 👋
Now, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from growin’ up in the country, it’s that some recipes just feel like home. This one right here — Southern Green Beans with Ham and Potatoes — is one of ‘em. It’s the kind of dish that brings the whole family driftin’ into the kitchen, followin’ the smell of smoked ham, butter, and green beans bubblin’ low and slow on the stove.

I still remember helpin’ my grandma make this for Sunday supper. She’d hum a little tune, stirrin’ the pot like it was an old friend, sayin’, “Patience makes the beans tender, Bubba — just like it makes people better.” The longer this dish simmers, the more them flavors come together like a well-loved song.

And let me tell ya — these beans ain’t no side dish. They’re a whole mood. 💚
Simple, hearty, and full of love, made from the kind of ingredients you don’t need a fancy store to find — just green beans, taters, a bit of smoky ham, and some good ol’ country butter. This is food that sticks to your soul, not just your ribs.

🧺 Ingredients

You don’t need much to make somethin’ this good — just a few honest fixin’s from a real kitchen:

1½ pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
4 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 cup diced smoked ham (or 2 ham hocks for that old-fashioned flavor)
4 cups chicken broth (or enough to cover)
1 small onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and black pepper, to taste
(Optional) a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of vinegar for that little Southern sass

🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Alright, friend — grab your biggest pot, the one that’s seen a few church suppers, and let’s get to cookin’.

Step 1: Sauté the onion
Start by meltin’ that butter in your pot over medium heat. Once it’s sizzlin’, toss in the onion and let it cook till it’s soft and smells like heaven — about 3 or 4 minutes. That smell? That’s the start of somethin’ special.

Step 2: Brown that ham
Now throw in your diced smoked ham (or those ham hocks if you’re feelin’ traditional). Let it sizzle for a few minutes till you hear that crackle and see a little browning — that’s where all that smoky flavor gets cookin’.

Step 3: Add broth and bring to a simmer
Pour in enough chicken broth to cover everything and bring it to a gentle boil. The smell’ll have folks peekin’ into the kitchen wonderin’ what’s for dinner.

Step 4: Add green beans and potatoes
Toss in them green beans and potatoes. Stir it all together, then turn the heat down low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour.
Now here’s the secret: low and slow is the way to go. You’ll hear a soft bubble and see the beans turnin’ tender while the taters soak up all that savory goodness.

Step 5: Season and serve
Once everything’s nice and tender, season with salt, pepper, and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feelin’ spicy. Give it a good stir and take a whiff — that’s the smell of pure comfort, right there in your kitchen.

🍗 Serving Suggestions

Now this dish right here plays nice with just about anything that calls for a plate, a fork, and a second helpin’.
Try servin’ it alongside:

A pan of golden cornbread
Bubba’s fried chicken
A slice of roast beef or smoked pork chops

The broth soaks up into the potatoes and beans, makin’ every bite a little taste of country heaven. Honestly, I’ve been known to just eat it straight from the pot with a hunk of bread to sop up the juices — don’t judge me. 😉

As I like to say: “This dish goes with anything that calls for a plate, a fork, and a second helping.”

🧊 Storage Tips

If you’ve got any leftovers — which, between you and me, ain’t too likely — here’s how to keep that goodness goin’:

Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat it on the stove over medium heat ‘til it’s good and warm again.
You can also freeze it for up to 2 months — just thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheatin’.

And here’s Bubba’s advice: “If you’ve got any left, you probably didn’t invite enough people — or you made a mistake.”

❤️ Closing Thoughts from Bubba

Now that right there’s the kind of food that warms you from the inside out — simple, slow, and made with love. These green beans, potatoes, and ham taste like home no matter where you’re from.

Make it once, and it’ll earn a spot in your Sunday dinner rotation quicker than you can say “pass the cornbread.”

If you make it, I’d sure love to see it! Share your photos and tag Bubba’s Recipes — nothin’ makes me happier than seein’ folks enjoyin’ good ol’ country cookin’.

🥄 FAQ

Q: Can I use canned green beans?
A: You sure can, but fresh ones hold up better and soak in more flavor. If you use canned, simmer ‘em for a shorter time so they don’t get mushy.

Q: What’s the best type of ham to use?
A: Smoked ham or ham hocks give the richest flavor, but leftover baked ham works just fine too.

Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Absolutely! Just toss everything in and cook on low for about 6–7 hours or on high for 3–4 hours.

Q: How can I make it vegetarian?
A: Skip the ham and use veggie broth — add a dash of liquid smoke or smoked paprika to keep that Southern flavor alive.

Now go on and fix yourself a pot, friend — this here’s more than just supper. It’s a taste of the South, a little bit of love, and a whole lotta comfort in every bite. 🫶