Description
A comforting and authentic Southern Green Beans recipe featuring smoky turkey wings simmered slowly with fresh green beans, red potatoes, and aromatic spices for a rich, hearty dish perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat & Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 lbs smoked turkey wings
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium white onion, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2–3 medium red potatoes, rinsed & cut into quarters
- 2 lbs fresh green beans, ends trimmed & cut/snapped in half
Spices & Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon Creole Cajun Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Liquids
- 5 cups low sodium chicken broth/stock, plus more as needed
Optional
- Hot sauce, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Sear Smoked Turkey: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add smoked turkey wings and sear for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally to brown evenly on all sides.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the finely chopped white onion to the pot with the turkey. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Then, sprinkle in Creole Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes if using, mixing well to coat the ingredients.
- Add Broth and Simmer Turkey: Pour in the low sodium chicken broth, ensuring the turkey wings are fully submerged. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours, turning the meat occasionally to evenly cook and infuse flavor.
- Shred Turkey: Remove the turkey wings from the pot and let them cool enough to handle. Discard skin and bones, then shred the turkey meat into bite-sized pieces.
- Return Meat to Pot: Return the shredded turkey meat back into the broth in the Dutch oven.
- Add Vegetables: Add the trimmed and halved green beans along with the quartered red potatoes to the pot. If needed, add additional chicken broth to just cover the vegetables.
- Simmer Vegetables: Cover the pot again and simmer on medium-low heat for 1 hour, or until the green beans and potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Season and Serve: Uncover the pot, season the dish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Serve hot with optional hot sauce on the side for added heat.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes or add hot sauce to suit your taste.
- Using low sodium broth helps control the salt level; adjust seasoning at the end.
- Leftover green beans can be cooled and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This dish can be made ahead and tastes even better the next day after flavors meld.
- Substitute smoked turkey wings with smoked ham hocks for a similar flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
