Green beans make a classic side dish recipe. Get this simple green beans recipe that you’ll turn to time and again!
Growing up during the summer, I loved spending time on my Grandmother’s back porch stringing green beans, shelling peas, and sometimes even shucking the corn. We’d sit for hours chatting about her life as a young girl, favorite books we’d read, and talking about just every day things. She always sat patiently and listened to all of my stories – and I was full of them.
Lately I’ve been really thinking more and more about those days. A lot was accomplished during a day, but days just seemed to move more slowly. We’d spend mornings in the garden or picking berries or starting laundry. Afternoons were dedicated to taking care of the items we’d collected earlier in the day and playing outside, followed by naps on quilts in her living room and starting supper by 3 for my parents to arrive home from work just in time for a hot, homecooked meal before we’d go home for the night.
Grandmother’s green beans were always a welcome sight – even for a little girl. She would add a few little things to her pot full of green beans that made them full of flavor and incredibly tender. After years of trying to get it just right, I finally figured out a few tricks.
Here’s how Grandmother made her green beans. I think you’ll love them!
Green Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups cut fresh green beans or 2, 15-ounce canned green beans
- water to cover
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Place green beans in Dutch oven or large pot with a lid.
- Pour water over green beans until it almost covers the beans.
- Add olive oil, beef bouillon, and apple cider vinegar.
- Cover pot and cook over low heat for about 45 minutes, checking regularly to make sure there is still some water with the beans.
- Add water as needed
- Remove lid and simmer on low for another 15 minutes until the water has boiled down.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m waiting for our green beans and peas to be ready in the garden so that Little Buddy and I can spend a few afternoons rocking, stringing and shelling, but until then I think I’ll listen to a few more of his stories. Those stories are full of wonder, hopes and dreams. I sure don’t want to miss any of them.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
What a beautiful tribute to grandma! Thanks for posting this—took me back to the old days, myself! 🙂 Better go water the vegetable garden now!
The simplicity of those days sure was nice, wasn’t it?
I LURVE green beans! My grandmother would make them too! Such wonderful memories!
now THESE beans, i have had!!!
I love green beans and these sound delicious. Definitely have to put these on my list of side dishes to try. It’s so awesome that you have all of those memories of being with your grandmother, and getting to hear all of her stories.
Green beans always have a place close to my heart and these look delicious! Happy Cooking!
I have to admit to not being a huge fans of green beans but I also haven’t had them prepared like this. I might be persuaded to change my opinion of them:)
I love greenbeans!!! Never thought to make it into an actual dish though – this looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I plan to do these ahead and heat for Easter dinner. Can they be reheated in the microwave? If so, covered or uncovered and for how long?
I’m also wondering the same thing about the fried corn? Does it reheat okay and if so, what’s the best way to do it? Thank you do much for your help.
They can be reheated in the microwave! A definite time saver! 🙂 I would recommend covering them and reheating at 80% power for about 3 minutes at a time, stirring between each time and checking. In my microwave, it would take about 9-12 minutes to get that many green beans heated thoroughly.