Description
Hearty Cajun smothered green beans & potatoes blend Southern comfort with spicy Louisiana flair, bringing rustic kitchen magic to your dinner plate. Simmered with smoky bacon and zesty seasonings, this dish promises a soul-warming experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds green beans, stems snapped and halved
- 1 pound red or russet potatoes, quartered or halved
- 4 cups (32 ounces) chicken stock
Seasoning and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons low sodium Cajun seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dry thyme
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Other Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup avocado or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Louisiana hot sauce
Instructions
- Create a rich, golden-brown roux by whisking flour into heated oil until deep amber and fragrant.
- Incorporate diced onions, sautéing until translucent and releasing sweet aromatics. Blend in Cajun seasoning, thyme, salt, black pepper, sugar, red pepper flakes, and minced garlic to develop complex flavor layers.
- Slowly pour chicken stock and water into the seasoned mixture, continuously stirring to eliminate lumps and create a smooth, velvety base.
- Gently introduce green beans and cubed potatoes into the liquid, ensuring all vegetables are submerged. Allow the mixture to simmer at low heat (around 190°F) for approximately 50 minutes, periodically checking tenderness and stirring to prevent sticking.
- When vegetables reach desired softness, finish the dish by folding in cold butter and a splash of hot sauce, which will add richness and a subtle kick. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Choose a cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pot for the best roux development, ensuring a deep, rich flavor base for the dish.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning intensity by controlling the amount of red pepper flakes, making the recipe adaptable for mild or spicy palates.
- Consider using bacon drippings instead of oil for an extra layer of smoky depth and traditional Southern cooking authenticity.
- Swap chicken stock with vegetable broth to create a vegetarian-friendly version of this hearty Southern-style side dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 132 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg