How to make amazing southern green beans with smoked turkey.
Often when we think of soulful vegetables we usually think of collard greens and cabbage. Although I love both, I have another option for you- Southern style green beans! These green beans aren’t your average “boiled with a tad a butter” green beans. These are southern green beans with smoked turkey! These soul food style green beans make a perfect side dish during the holidays & for Sunday dinner, and they are quite easy to make. Let me show and tell you how I make my southern style green beans!
First things first, lets talk about the main ingredient- the GREEN BEANS. For this tutorial ( and usually any other time that I make this) I used frozen green beans. I used frozen green beans, because I had them in my deep freezer. Also, they are already cleaned, cut , and good to go, which makes it a plus for me. If you prefer to use fresh green beans, please do so. Just make sure that you wash them thoroughly, and cut off the ends.
Now let’s talk about the smoked turkey that I used for these southern green beans. I used a smoked turkey leg. I actually slow cooked it in my CrockPot for several hours. If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can cook the smoked turkey on your stovetop. Just make sure that the turkey leg is thawed, then place it into a large pot, and pour enough water into the pot to cover the turkey leg. Cover the pot, and turn the heat on medium high, and cook until the smoked turkey is “falling off the bone” tender! Also remember to save the liquid from the pot! You will need it later on!
The reason I use my slow cooker for this recipe is because it’s foolproof. I don’t have to watch the smoked turkey cook. I just turn on my CrockPot, and go on about my business. To be honest, when the smoked turkey is in the Crock Pot, I usually tend to my other Thanksgiving recipes. Sometimes I even let the smoked turkey cook overnight, and make the rest of the dish the following day.
Other than the smoked turkey ( and broth from the pot that we boiled the turkey in) I use a few other ingredients to season the green beans such as : minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and black pepper. I actually don’t add salt, because the smoked turkey has plenty of salt in it. If you feel that you need to as salt you may add it.
Watch how I make my Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
Southern Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen green beans
- 1 lb smoked turkey leg or wing
- 6-8 cups of water
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 small onion chopped
- 14 oz can of stewed tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place the smoked turkey into a Slow Cooker, and pour in enough water to cover the turkey ( about 6-8 cups).
- Cover the slow cooker, and cook the turkey on high for 4 hours.
- Once the turkey is done, remove it from the slow cooker and reserve 4 cups of broth from the slow cooker.
- Next,remove the turkey meat from the bones, and shred it. Also get rid of all the skinny bones that may be buried in the meat.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- In a 9x9 bake dish, toss in the green beans, chopped onions, garlic, stewed tomatoes, and smoked turkey.
- Sprinkle in the black pepper, and pour in the broth.
- Give everything a nice stir, then place the green beans into the oven uncovered, and let bake for 40 minutes.
- Once done, let the green beans cool until they are safe to eat.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Try these recipe as well!
Soul Food Collard Greens
I saw your vid on utube and had to come over for more info. Girl, I could eat the whole dish of this! LOL So good!
LOL!! Yes me too!! Thanks for coming by! XOXO
Can I finish this in the slow cooker instead of the oven? Its summer…
You sure can! 😉
Thanks so much for answering!
I made this for Thanksgiving 2017 with canned green beans. It tasted just like my mom’s green beans. Thank you for such fantastic recipes!
What if you don’t have a slow cooler to cook the turkey wing or leg in?
I covered that in the post 😀
Thanks
what can i use as a substitute for the turkey?
bacon, ham hocks. It’s endless.
My godmother had a recipe for a cold green been salad.
She had onions,ham,and other ingredients that I can’t recall.
Sadly she passed away before I could get her recipe,do you know what I’m taking about?
I don’t think I’m familiar with that recipe, I’m sorry 🙁
I’m trying this now can’t wait to see the end results.
Hi! I subscribed to your channel on YouTube. Cooking all the side dishes for Xmas this year, and I’m going to give this and your collards a go.. Can’t wait to show off for the fam. Happy Holidays! 🙂
looks good can’t wait to try for easter. Girl you can cook!
Thank you!! Enjoy!
Can I use canned green beans
You can, if that’s your preference.
So I made this recipe leaving out tomatoes, and forgot the garlic! Its still good but i feel like i missing out on flavor, should I add seasoned garlic powder in and stir?
No, the garlic should have been put in before the dish was done.
I have never baked green beans before this looks amazing with the turkey I don’t eat pork so this was a plus ty!
Girl, you are sure enough a southern cook. All
of your recipes are finger licking goooooooogdd.
Keep up the good work. How can I get one of your recipe books?
Keep cooking and br Blessed.
Hazel
Thanks Hazel! XOXO
will it taste different if you leave out the tomatoes, I’m not a fan of tomatoes but I saw someone else say they left them out
Leave them out if you don’t like them. XOXO
Can I use fresh green beans and the same amount of time to cook them?
Absolutely.
How would I alter the recipe if I purchased smoked turkey legs or wings?
I don’t understand the question.
This is now my go to dish. lol I always get compliments and hear people saying “WHO MADE THE GREEN BEANS!” lol Today I made it with the stewed tomatoes though. (Because honestly l just forget to get some) But with or without this is a great dish. Thanks for the recipe!
Glad that you like the recipe! Happy Easter!
So I’ve tried this recipe and absolutely LOVE it!! You give awesome, easy to follow instructions! My boyfriend is allergic to tomatoes so I leave them out and it tastes great! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for trying my recipe!
I’m going to try this recipe for thanksgiving, which in a few days, so I hope you’ve get this in time..
Can I cook the green beans in the crockpot on low for 4-6 hrs?
You can add the smoked turkey in the crockpot, and cook on low for 6 hours. Add the green beans, and other ingredients during the last 1 1/2 hours of cooking 🙂 . Happy Holidays.
Can I cook everything in the crock pot? Also, I want to add some red potatoes. At what point would I add those please?
Please check out my Green Beans, bacon & Potatoes video
Do I need to thaw these frozen green beans??
No, you don’t.
i was looking for a different way to prepare string beans for Christmas, because I was tired of the smoked meat boiled down soggy string bean recipe. I googled searched and was lead to your recipe, and GIRLLLL let me tell youuuuuu, they were the best string beans I’ve had in a longgggg time. My daughter fell in love with them so much that she didn’t want anybody else to have none and she asked that I make them for her, for her New Year’s Day dinner. Thanks so much and i will be trying more of your recipes.
I still can’t believe I got something so good from frozen green beans!! Thank you so much
So glad I found this. I’ve been tasked with the green beans for this Sunday’s baby shower brunch. Thanks everyone for your questions, and thank you Rosie for your answers. I feel I’m prepared to go forth and cook these beans. Wish me luck.
I have tried so many recipes from other soul food cooks and I must say no one beats you. Rosie you are all that and more. Thanks for sharing, I have made so many of your dishes and loved them. Every meal has a touch of you. God Bless.
Hi Rosie – I’m new to your blog but SO GLAD I’m here! Got a question. I am preparing to do the Southern Green Beans with Turkey Leg and I dont have “Stewed Tomatoes”, but I have “Crushed” Tomatoes – please tell me that will work as well.
thanks and look to hear from you soon. I’m preparing this for the Memorial Holiday (5/25/2020)
Hi Rosie, could I substitute some of the water with chicken broth, would that be ok or would it make it too salty
Hi Jermaine! Chicken broth would definitely work. If you’re worried about it being too salty, you can use salt free or low sodium broth.