The Best Mississippi Green Beans You’ll Ever Eat
Here is my tried and true recipe for the BEST Mississippi green beans you’ll ever eat, made in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven!
What are Mississippi green beans?
I’m not sure that these green beans have anything to do with Mississippi lol, but they are DELICIOUS! They are first marinated in a yummy sauce for up to two days, then they can be cooked by your preferred method. You can put them in a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven to heat them until they are completely warm and bathed in the savory sauce.
What is different about Mississippi greens beans?
I grew up on Southern green beans simmered all day (or pressure cooked) with fatback or salt pork. Although I did love them (especially the ones my grands and great grands made), they were plain and simple. These green beans have huge flavor, and the secret is in the sauce. The butter, bacon, brown sugar, and soy cook into a thick, sweet, smoky, salty syrup that melts into the beans during cooking and makes them over the top delicious.
Make Mississippi Green Beans Ahead
These beans are perfect to make ahead. Simply prepare the sauce and pour over drained beans. Place in an airtight BPA free gallon ziplock, and refrigerate overnight. You can actually refrigerate up to 2 days (I’ve done it and had great results). When the day comes to cook the beans, simply heat them in the slow cooker on low for 5-6 hours. Add a bit of chicken broth if the beans don’t have much liquid. In the short video below, I show how to make the marinade and prep the beans a day or two before a party.
You Can Slow Cook Mississippi Green Beans
If taking these to someone’s home, I slow cook them in this stainless casserole crock. The size is perfect for green beans, and if the affair is casual, you can plug the crockpot in and serve the beans directly from the cooker. Of course, this is only for a super casual gathering, but this slow cooker is the best way to keep the beans warm until serving.
You Can Oven Cook Mississippi Green Beans
The beans can also be placed in a baking dish and heated on 250-300 degrees F for several hours before serving. If the bacon is cooked (I always cook mine before marinading the beans), then you are basically heating the beans and keeping them warm. Technically, you aren’t “cooking” the beans as much as you are warming them throughout.
What to Serve With Mississippi Green Beans
These beans complement most any meat. If you are planning a picnic, these would be great with fried chicken. I also serve them alongside this fab glazed ham, this real recipe for Mitt Romney’s favorite meatloaf and this wonderful chicken tetrazzini.
If you try these, please let me know your thoughts! I love hearing from readers~especially feedback on the recipes. Your comments help others who might have the same questions:-) As always, thanks so much for stopping by. Wishing you a joyful, blessed, and savvy day!!
Family Favorite Mississippi Green Beans
Marinade these green beans a day or two ahead of time, and simply slow cook, pressure cook, or oven bake on the day you serve them.
Ingredients
- 6-7 slices bacon cooked and crumbled (reserve drippings) * note below
- 3/4 stick butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 TB soy sauce
- 6 cans green beans, drained *note below
Instructions
- In small bowl, mix melted butter, soy sauce, and brown sugar until sugar dissolves and mixture is well combined.
- Add bacon bits (with drippings) to butter mixture.
- Place green beans in large airtight container (I use 2 gallon ziploc).
- Pour marinade over beans.
- Make sure all beans are coated with marinade.
- Place beans in fridge for 12-24 hours.
- Cook as you prefer:
SLOW COOKER: Cook on low 6-7 hours or high 4-5 hours.
INSTANT POT: Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes; slow release and let sit at least an hour.
OVEN: Cover beans; bake in 350 F oven until heated through (about an hour).
Notes
* II microwave precooked bacon and save the fat; this works great.
** You can leave the liquid in a can or two of green beans to add moisture. If you drain all the beans, you might want to add some chicken broth to thin the marinade and keep beans moist during cooking.
Nutrition Information
Yield 12 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 113Total Fat 8gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 22mgSodium 307mgCarbohydrates 8gFiber 0gSugar 8gProtein 3g
Hi Louise! Thanks for catching that; I edited that out. EVOO is only needed if you choose to use it instead of butter. If you use EVOO, you would just use 3-4 TB. Hope this helps!!!
EVOO is mentioned in the article but not in the recipe ingredients or instructions. Is the EVOO a substitute for the butter in the same amount?
Linda, I LOVE these with meatloaf and mashed potatoes!! I want your feedback and can’t wait to hear!!!!! XoXo~jamie
I’m going to make these tonight with meatloaf and mashed potatoes!
I’ll do a review after dinner.
But I don’t see how they wouldn’t be delicious!
I have not, but I think it would work beautifully!!!
Have you tried these with coconut aminos instead of the soy?
Hi Lynda! I’ve never made that many but think you could google a “recipe converter” to calculate how to do this. I know everyone will enjoy these beans!!!
I am cooking for 100 people can you convert you recipe for me?
Thank you!
Hi Meg!!! I put bacon fat IF I have it on hand. If not, I put EVOO…..both will work. I just use whatever fat I have on hand. It is always delicious either way.Let me know how things turn out!!!!
I am prepping the Mississippi beans tonight for tomorrow. I am trying to figure out how much bacon fat I should be saving to put in with the beans. Can you direct? Thank you!!!
Hi Dede, the recipe can be a bit confusing, so I edited it. Basically you roast at 425˚F for 20 minutes. Then you reduce the oven to 400˚F (this is the temp for the remainder of the roasting). You just rotate the pan during that time, which can be confusing. Also, I put to let the chicken rest for at least 30 minutes (Samin Nosrat says 10). My opinion is longer is better. Hope you enjoy this recipe!!!
Hi DeeDee, I have never used fresh but you could certainly try. You might want to blanch or steam the beans first to make them tender. If you try this, let us know how they turn out!
Can you use fresh green beans?
Hi John! I usually do loose, and sometimes even a bit less. You adjust if you want more or less sweet.
Is this 1/2 cup packed or lose brown sugar
Hi Beth! Each can says “5” servings or so, but I always add more cans when I make these. I think 6 cans will be good for a group of 12-16 folks IF you serve lots of other sides along with it. If it is your only green side, you might want to add another can. I know you’ll love these. Please let me hear how you like them!!!!! And remember, you can marinade them in a ziplock overnight on Saturday so that all you do on Sunday is toss them in the slow cooker!!!! XoXo
How many do you think this serves (6 cans)? I’m having a crowd for Easter and I’m terrible at estimating. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Geri! Great question! The canned beans simply take on a rich flavor and soft, cooked texture when they cook in the slow cooker. My grandmother used to cook canned green beans on the stove top all day…..it just makes them more Southern (if that makes sense). Try these; I think you’ll be able to see a difference!
I’m trying to figure out why canned beans mixed with an already cooked sauce need to cook in a slow cooker for 6-7 hours on slow. Isn’t everything already cooked? Is it just to heat them through thoroughly? Or am I not understanding the recipe? Thank you!
Hi Linda! I’ve never used fresh, but if I did, I would definitely pre-cook them. If you try the recipe with fresh, please let us know how it turns out!
Can I use fresh green beans? If so, should they be pre-cooked?
Oh Bonnie, I am thrilled that I was able to give you the recipe; I believe in sharing:-) You will love these! Let me know after Thanksgiving how they turn out!!!!!! Blessings to you!
Hi Jamie,
I have never had Mississippi green beans until two weeks ago. We attended a very nice wedding reception where these beans were an vegetable accompaniment to the prime rib. I inquired about the recipe and the caterer was reluctant to share it. So happy that you posted it. I wanted so badly to make these beans for Thanksgiving. You made my day (and holiday)….Thank you
Thank you so much Jamie – that helps a lot!
Blessings to you too and have a wonderful day!
Hi Dee Dee! Thanks for your sweet comments! I buy the normal size cans (14.5 oz), and I typically buy them at Costco or Publix (when BOGO). I hope you enjoy these!!! Blessings to you!!
Hi Jamie! I love your posts, tips, and advice! These green beans sound so wonderful. I always add brown sugar to mine too :) What size cans do you use and which brand do you buy?
Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!