This Green Beans and New Potatoes recipe is a one-pot, Sunday dinner, make-ahead friendly classic loaded with tender green beans, creamy new potatoes, smoky turkey, and crispy bacon. This southern green beans and potatoes recipe uses a Dutch oven for slow simmering, creating a deep, rich broth and melt-in-your-mouth vegetables.
Love this recipe? You might also love our Southern Green Beans and Bacon or Butter Beans Recipe for more true southern comfort.
Green Beans and New Potatoes Recipe at a Glance 🔎
- 🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 6
- 🔥 Cook Method: Dutch oven (one pot)
- 🍽️ Cuisine: Southern Comfort Food
- 👩🍳 Pair With: Cast Iron Cornbread, Cajun Fried Chicken, Baked Beans with Ground Beef.
- ⭐ Difficulty Level: Easy
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We grew up eating this dish at Sunday dinners. Our favorite way to eat this is with hot cornbread so the smoky broth soaks right into each slice. ~Jami
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Why We Love This Recipe
- True Southern Flavor: Smoked turkey and bacon add deep, savory notes without overpowering the vegetables.
- One-Pot Ease: Everything simmers together in the Dutch oven for easy cleanup.
- Perfect for Gatherings: Feeds a crowd and tastes even better the next day.
- Flexible Cooking Time: Works with thawed or frozen smoked turkey for convenience.
Green Beans and New Potatoes Ingredients
Here's what you'll need for this southern-style green beans and potatoes recipe.
- Fresh Green Beans: We like to snap them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Avoid cutting too small or they'll lose texture during the long simmer.
- New Potatoes (Baby Red): Thin-skinned, creamy, and perfect for soaking up the smoky broth.
- Smoked Turkey Wings or Drumsticks: Wings add more richness to the broth, while drumsticks offer more meat.
- Bacon: Renders fat for sautéing and adds extra smoky depth.
- Onion: A medium yellow onion for sweetness and body.
- Garlic: Just enough to add depth without overpowering the broth.
- Chicken Broth: Low sodium, so you can control the saltiness.
- Butter: Rounds out the flavors and adds richness.
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (optional), and sugar to balance.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Smoked Turkey: Swap for ham hock or smoked sausage for a different flavor.
- New Potatoes: Use Yukon Golds or fingerling potatoes for a slightly different texture.
- Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth.
How To Make Southern Green Beans and Potatoes
STEP ONE: Render Bacon and Saute Onion
Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until just crisp, 4-5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving 2-3 tablespoons drippings in the pot.
Stir in butter, then onion, and cook 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
STEP TWO: Build the Base
Nestle smoked turkey (frozen or thawed) into the pot over the onion mixture. Pour in chicken broth, then add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and sugar.
STEP THREE: Simmer Low and Add Vegetables
Cover with lid and bring to a gentle simmer. If thawed, simmer on low for 1½-2 hours; if frozen, simmer for 1¾-2¼ hours, until turkey is fork-tender. Skim foam as needed.
Add new potatoes and green beans, pressing gently into broth. Cover and simmer another 45-60 minutes until potatoes are tender and beans are silky.
STEP FOUR: Shred Turkey and Finish
Remove turkey, shred meat, and return to pot with reserved bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Keep the simmer low for best texture.
✔️ DO Taste before adding more salt. Smoked meats can be salty.
❌ DO NOT Overcut potatoes; they'll fall apart.
Storage
Store leftover green beans and potatoes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth to restore moisture.
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Recipe FAQs
Smoked turkey wings or drumsticks are classic in southern cooking for their rich flavor, but ham hocks and bacon are also popular choices. The smoky depth works perfectly with tender beans and creamy potatoes.
Yes, but add them in the last 20-25 minutes of cooking so they don't become mushy. Fresh beans hold texture better during long simmering.
No, their thin skins add flavor and help the potatoes hold shape during cooking. Just scrub them clean before cutting.
Did You Try This Recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Green Beans and New Potatoes Recipe
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds fresh green beans trimmed and snapped in half
- 1 ½ pounds new potatoes (or baby red potatoes) halved or leave whole if small, washed
- 2 smoked turkey wings or drumsticks (about 1 to 1 ½ lbs total) frozen or thawed
- 4 to 5 slices regular bacon (about 6 ounces) chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional for heat
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt adjust to taste
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until just crisp, 4-5 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving 2-3 tablespoons drippings in the pot. Transfer cooked bacon to a small covered dish and refrigerate until the final step to keep it safe while the stew cooks.
- Stir in butter, then onion, and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Nestle smoked turkey (frozen or thawed) into the pot over the onion mixture. Pour in chicken broth, then add salt, pepper, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and sugar.
- Cover and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Note: If thawed, simmer on low for 1½-2 hours. If frozen, simmer on low for 1¾-2¼ hours to ensure it's heated through and releasing flavor, skimming any foam from the surface as needed.
- Add potatoes and green beans, pushing them gently into the broth. Cover and simmer another 45-60 minutes until potatoes are tender and beans are silky. Remove turkey, shred the meat from the bones, and return it to the pot with the reserved bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving.
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Notes
- Smoked Turkey: Swap for ham hock or smoked sausage for a different flavor.
- New Potatoes: Use Yukon Golds or fingerling potatoes for a slightly different texture.
- Chicken Broth: Use vegetable broth.
Jami Powell says
The smoked turkey and bacon in these greens make them super flavorful!