Crock Pot Green Beans

These Crock Pot Green Beans with fresh green beans take the guesswork out of cooking beans, making this the perfect easy side dish.  This meat-free, vegan version uses diced onion and vegetable broth instead of pork, allowing the fresh green bean flavor to shine.  Perfect for everything from a busy weeknight to a holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.

Love green beans? Also try my Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole, Cheesy Green Bean Casserole, and 4 Ingredient Garlic Roasted Green Beans.

Crock Pot Green Beans recipe

These Crock Pot Green Beans are an easy, delicious way to make a classic vegetable side dish with hardly any effort! Made with fresh green beans, garlic, onion, vegetable broth, and simple seasonings, this slow cooker green bean recipe delivers tender, flavorful green beans that are perfect for busy weeknights, holiday dinners, or Sunday supper.

Green beans have always been one of my favorite vegetables, but they are often cooked with ham or bacon, making them off-limits for vegetarians.  They are also often filled with butter and extra virgin olive oil.  My version keeps the meat and butter to the side, letting the vegetables shine and keeping this recipe vegan. I love recipes that make a healthy dinner easier, and these slow cooker green beans are just that.  My boys are now fans of green beans too and simply LOVE them cooked this way.

Simply add everything to your Crock Pot or slow cooker, let it do the work, and come back to a delicious vegetable side dish the whole family will enjoy.  Whether you're serving them alongside Thanksgiving turkey, roasted chicken, meatloaf, or your favorite holiday meal, these Crock Pot Green Beans are a simple, wholesome addition to your table!  Serve them with my Pumpkin Cornbread too.

Why You'll Love this Crock Pot Green Beans recipe...

• Easy to make: Let your slow cooker do most of the work!
• Simple ingredients: Fresh green beans, broth, garlic, onion, and pantry seasonings create delicious flavor.
• Perfect for busy days: Free up your stovetop and oven while dinner cooks.
• Healthy side dish: Green beans provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• Versatile: Easily customize the seasonings to suit your family's tastes.  My boys love these!
• Great for holidays: Serve these slow cooker green beans for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any family gathering.

Ingredients:

Here's an overview of what you'll need for this Crockpot Green Beans recipe, but keep scrolling for the full amounts.

• Green Beans: Fresh green beans provide the best texture and flavor for this recipe. Look for beans that are firm, bright green, and free of brown spots.
• Onion: Adds a mild sweetness and delicious savory flavor.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic gives the green beans a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor.
• Vegetable Broth: Adds moisture and savory flavor without adding pork, ham, or bacon as the green beans cook. Use low-sodium broth if you prefer to control the salt.  If you aren't vegetarian or vegan, you can use chicken broth too.
• Salt & Pepper

Instructions:

This is an overview of the instructions for this Crock Pot Green Beans recipe, but the full, detailed, printable recipe is below in the recipe card.

1. Add the green beans, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, salt, and pepper to your slow cooker and stir to combine.  I love this Crock Pot.
2. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until the beans are tender.
3. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the crockpot. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Green Beans

• Use fresh green beans when possible. Fresh beans generally hold their shape better and have a lovely texture after cooking.
• Don't add too much liquid. Green beans release moisture as they cook, so you only need enough broth to add flavor and keep the ingredients from drying out.
• Check for doneness early. Slow cookers vary, and smaller green beans may cook faster than thicker ones.
• Season at the end. Taste before serving and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Broth can vary in saltiness, so start with less salt and add more if needed.
• Add extra flavor if you like. Stir in a little lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavor. You can also add fresh parsley, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Variations

I love this Crock Pot Green Beans recipe as written, but here are some fun variations.

• Southern Crock Pot Green Beans: Add a little smoked turkey, ham hock, or a small amount of cooked bacon for a traditional smoky flavor.
• Garlic Green Beans: Increase the fresh garlic for a bolder garlic flavor.
• Lemon Green Beans: Finish with fresh lemon juice and lemon zest for a bright, fresh taste.
• Parmesan Green Beans: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the green beans just before serving.
• Spicy Green Beans: Add red pepper flakes for a little heat.
• Herb Green Beans: Stir in fresh parsley, thyme, or dill before serving.

FAQ

Storage & Leftovers

You can freeze cooked green beans, though their texture may soften after thawing. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How long do green beans take to cook in a Crock Pot?

Fresh green beans generally take about 4–5 hours on LOW or 2–3 hours on HIGH, depending on your slow cooker and the texture you prefer. Check them early to avoid overcooking.

Do I need to add water to Crock Pot Green Beans?

You don't need plain water if you're using vegetable broth. The broth provides moisture and adds flavor. Avoid adding too much liquid because green beans release moisture as they cook.

Can I cook green beans in the slow cooker overnight?

It's generally better to cook green beans when you can check their doneness. Extended cooking can make them overly soft, so overnight cooking isn't ideal for this recipe.  This recipe only requires 4-5 hours of cooking.

Can I use canned green beans?

Yes, but canned green beans are already cooked and much softer than fresh green beans. Drain them first and reduce the cooking time significantly. Heat them just long enough for the flavors to combine.

Are Crock Pot Green Beans healthy?

Green beans are a nutritious vegetable that provides fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This recipe can be a wholesome side dish, especially when prepared with vegetable broth, garlic, herbs, and no butter or fat.

Can I make Crock Pot Green Beans ahead of time?

Yes! You can wash and trim the green beans, chop the onion, and mince the garlic a day ahead. Store the prepared ingredients in the refrigerator until you're ready to cook.

Crock Pot Green Beans

Julie Wunder

These Crock Pot Green Beans with fresh green beans take the guesswork out of cooking beans, making this the perfect easy side dish.  This meat-free, vegan version uses diced onion and vegetable broth instead of pork, allowing the fresh green bean flavor to shine.  Perfect for everything from a busy weeknight to a holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 64 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 pounds green beans, trimmed and cut
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 32 ounces vegetable broth
• ½ teaspoon salt & pepper

Instructions

 

• Add the green beans, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, salt and pepper to your slow cooker and stir to combine.
• Cook on low for 4-5 hours until the beans are tender.
• Serve immediatly and enjoy!

Notes

Storage & Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked green beans, though their texture may soften after thawing. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2–3 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

Calories: 64kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 4gFat: 0.4gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 348mgFiber: 5gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1044IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 2mg

Keyword Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole, Fresh Green Beans in Crock Pot

Tried this recipe?Mention @Julie_Wunder or tag #RunninginaSkirt!

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