It’s hard to beat that cooked all day with smoky meat flavor of Southern Style green beans. They are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and are ready in less than an hour.
The first time I ordered green beans at a barbecue restaurant, I expected a crunchy and fresh side dish. While Southern green beans are nothing of the sort, they are absolutely freaking delicious on a whole different level. I was so pleasantly surprised.
Southern Green Beans are tender green beans that cook in a meaty broth until they are soft – they literally melt in your mouth. They absorb all the flavors of the broth that they cook in, so bacon grease, a smoked turkey leg, or a ham hock can really take this easy side dish over the top.
This southern green bean recipe is one of the easiest side dishes to make – and it is one of my favorite dishes to have in my arsenal because it can be made any day of the week to go alongside an easy dinner – but it is also the perfect side dish to serve with Christmas dinner.
This recipe is truly the definition of Southern comfort food. If you do not have an Instant Pot, you won’t be able to make this Instant Pot recipe, but I have another easy green bean recipe that can be made in a slow cooker instead that is equally delicious. (It just takes a little longer!)
As a busy home cook, I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to make delicious comfort food favorites. That’s why I was so excited to try this Instant Pot recipe for green beans with smoked turkey It delivers all the DOWN HOME flavors of traditional Southern-style green beans in a fraction of the time thanks to the speed of the Instant Pot
In this article, I’ll walk you through exactly how to make these INSTANT POT GREEN BEANS WITH SMOKED TURKEY 2 so you can enjoy this SOULFUL side dish any night of the week. Keep reading for my step-by-step recipe, helpful tips, and a quick video tutorial on putting together this family-friendly meal.
Overview of Instant Pot Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
Green beans simmered with smoked turkey may sound simple but the flavors here are complex and satisfying. The SECRET is cooking the beans and turkey together in a flavorful BROTH. The smoky MEAT infuses the VEGETABLES with Savory depth while also adding HEARTY bites throughout the side dish.
It’s a perfect OLD FASHIONED recipe to serve up for Sunday dinners and holiday meals when you want some SOUL FOOD COMFORT on the table. The HANDS-OFF convenience of the pressure cooker also makes it an easy WEEKNIGHT solution for getting Southern-style beans on the dinner table FAST.
Let’s look at exactly what ingredients you’ll NEED and the SIMPLE steps for creating this satisfying POTLUCK dish in your Instant Pot.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 pound frozen GREEN BEANS
- 1 pound smoked TURKEY leg or wing
- 6-8 cups WATER
- 2 teaspoons minced GARLIC
- 1 small ONION, chopped
- 14-ounce can of STEWED TOMATOES
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground BLACK PEPPER
- 4 cups BROTH reserved from cooking the smoked turkey
That’s it! The SHORT list makes this recipe a breeze to put together even on your busiest days.
Step-by-Step Instant Pot Instructions
With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have perfect Instant Pot turkey green beans ready to serve your family in about 30 minutes. Here’s exactly what to do:
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Cook the Smoked Turkey: Place the TURKEY leg or wing in the Instant Pot and add enough WATER to cover it completely (about 6-8 cups). Secure the lid, select High Pressure for 4 hours.
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Shred the Turkey: Once cooking completes, allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Remove lid and transfer TURKEY to a cutting board to SHRED, discarding any bones.
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Sauté the Aromatics: Add GARLIC and ONION to pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
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Add Remaining Ingredients: Mix in frozen GREEN BEANS, STEWED TOMATOES, BLACK PEPPER, and reserved TURKEY BROTH.
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Pressure Cook: Secure lid, select High Pressure for 5 minutes.
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Quick Release: When cooking completes, quick release pressure by turning the valve to Venting.
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Stir and Serve: Add shredded TURKEY, stir and serve immediately.
In less than 30 minutes, you’ll have the rich flavors of LONG-SIMMERED green beans and turkey ready to serve up as a SOUL-SATISFYING side!
Tips for Instant Pot Green Beans with Turkey
As you make this EASY recipe, keep these tips in mind:
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Use fresh green beans instead of frozen if preferred. Just trim and chop into bite-size pieces first.
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Add other vegetables like diced potatoes, carrots or corn along with the green beans.
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For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne.
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Instead of turkey, smoked ham, bacon or ham hocks also work well.
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Make it a main dish by adding more potatoes for a heartier meal.
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If you don’t have an Instant Pot, use a slow cooker instead. Just cook the turkey first as noted in the instructions.
The flexibility of this recipe makes it perfect for MEAL PREP and pleasing a crowd at POTLUCKS. Follow the steps above for foolproof Instant Pot green beans every time.
Serving Suggestions for Smoky Turkey Green Beans
These satisfying green beans pair well with almost any ENTRÉE but are especially delicious alongside classic SOUL FOOD favorites. Here are some savory ideas:
- Baked or fried chicken
- Smothered pork chops
- Meatloaf or meatballs
- Pot roast or brisket
- Fried catfish or tilapia
-Turkey wings or drumsticks
For a well-rounded SOUL FOOD meal, round it out with sides like:
- Cornbread or biscuits
- Collard greens
- Mashed potatoes
- Mac and cheese
- Cole slaw or potato salad
With a menu like that, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying SUNDAY DINNER any night of the week!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
The hearty green beans and turkey keep well in the fridge or freezer, making leftovers a snap. Here are some storage tips:
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Refrigerate leftovers for 3-5 days in an airtight container.
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Freeze turkey and beans for up to 3 months in freezer bags or containers.
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Reheat refrigerated leftovers on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave.
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Reheat straight from frozen in a slow cooker or after thawing overnight in the fridge.
Having ready-made green beans and turkey on hand makes pulling together WEEKNIGHT meals even easier.
Watch How to Make Instant Pot Green Beans with Turkey
Want to see how quick and easy it is to make these flavorful green beans in the pressure cooker? Watch this short tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3nBl3ENRzg
As you’ll see, it takes just a few minutes to prep the ingredients before letting the Instant Pot work its magic. In less than 30 minutes total, you’ll have the perfect soulful side ready to complement any meal.
Enjoy Old-Fashioned Flavor with Less Work
Instant Pot green beans with smoked turkey deliver the comforting flavors of traditional Southern-style beans without the fuss. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can have this hearty side on the table any night of the week thanks to the speed of the Instant Pot.
So break out your Instant Pot and invite family and friends over for some good old fashioned FOOD and fellowship any night of the week with this easy recipe. Just be prepared for the rave reviews and requests for SECONDS!
What to Serve on the Side
Instant Pot Green Beans (or Slow Cooker Green Beans) are a great way to add an easy vegetable side dish to a meal. We like to serve green beans with all kinds of dishes:
How to Make Instant Pot Green Beans
I love making these green beans in an Instant Pot – you end up with flavorful green beans that taste like they have cooked all day, but you don’t have to heat up the whole kitchen or plan ahead.
- If you are using fresh green beans, wash them, and snap off the ends. If you are using frozen green beans, rinse them, and drain off any excess water. Pick through the beans to remove any beans that don’t look very good and remove any stems.
- Dice up your onion, garlic, and bacon and measure out your spices. Having everything ready to go makes this recipe even faster to prepare.
- Press the Saute button on your Instant Pot and begin heating it up. (Picture 1) After a few seconds, add the butter and let melt. (Pictures 2 – 3)
- Once the butter is melted, add the diced bacon and cook it until it is mostly browned but not 100% crispy. (Pictures 4 – 5)
- Add the onions and garlic and cook until the garlic is fragrant, just a minute or two. (The onions will get cooked more when you pressure cook them, and since the Instant Pot is so hot, you have to be careful that the garlic doesn’t burn. We are just building layers of flavor at this point.) (Pictures 6 – 7)
- Next, deglaze the Instant Pot by pouring in the chicken broth – it will sizzle and sputter. (This will help prevent the dreaded “burn” message.) Using a wooden spoon or a hard spatula with an edge, scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot to get off any burnt bits of bacon. If too much food is stuck to the bottom or left behind, the sensor in the Instant Pot will think something is burning, even if it is not. (Picture 8)
- Now, add the green beans and all of the spices (kosher salt, pepper, dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, cayenne, and red pepper flakes.) (Pictures 9 – 10) Stir everything together. (Picture 11)
- Put the lid on your Instant Pot and close the vent, making sure it is set to “Sealing.” (Picture 12)
- Switch the Instant Pot from the saute function to Manual Mode, then set the Cooking Time to 20 minutes at High Pressure. (Picture 13)
- When the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes (Picture 14), then do a Quick Release to release any remaining pressure. (Picture 15) (Open the vent so that the pressure releases “quickly” or manually, just be careful so that your fingers are not near the steam.)
- Carefully open the lid, then let the contents cool and enjoy! I recommend serving the beans with a slotted spoon and leaving the excess liquid in the Instant Pot.
