I wanted to give my French Style Green Beans a Southern Flavor, so I added Smoked Turkey. My daughter Briana first added Smoked Turkey to her green Beans for a party that she did, from my original recipe, & said they were a big hit. So the original idea is hers, I just used FROZEN FRENCH STYLE GREEN BEANS, instead of regular. I use smoked Turkey in many of my veggie dishes. The addition of the Smoked Turkey really does add lots of flavor along with the carrots, Onions & Red Skin potatoes. I used baby carrots & quartered them to make more uniform size pieces. Try this you may like it too.
Canning green beans with smoked turkey is a fantastic way to preserve the classic flavors of Southern cuisine This sweet and savory side dish combines the earthy taste of fresh green beans with the rich, smoky flavor of turkey With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a shelf-stable canned bean dish that will transport your tastebuds straight to the heart of Dixie!
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to successfully can your own Southern-style smoked turkey green beans at home. We’ll cover the ingredients, equipment, and step-by-step process so you can start enjoying scratch-made canned beans year-round Let’s get started!
Why Should You Can Green Beans with Smoked Turkey?
Canning is a time-tested method that allows you to safely preserve foods using sterilized glass jars and heat processing. Some of the benefits of canning smoked turkey green beans include
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Long shelf life – Properly canned beans will stay fresh for about 1 year unopened. Once opened, store in the fridge and use within a week.
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Convenience – The beans are fully cooked and ready to eat. Just heat and serve!
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Saves storage space – Takes up less room than frozen or fresh.
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Year-round access – Enjoy the flavors anytime without waiting for holidays.
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Intensifies flavor – Canning concentrates the smoky, seasoned taste.
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Cost savings – Make in bulk when ingredient prices are lower.
Ingredients Needed
Canning this classic Southern dish only requires a few simple ingredients:
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Fresh raw green beans – Look for crisp, firm beans without brown spots. Both whole and cut beans work.
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Smoked turkey – Use wings, legs, thighs or necks for best flavor.
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Onion – One small onion, diced.
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Garlic – 2-3 cloves, minced.
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Seasonings – Salt, pepper and other spices like thyme or red pepper.
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Liquid – Water, turkey broth or tomato juice to cover beans.
Equipment for Canning Smoked Turkey Green Beans
You’ll need basic canning equipment including:
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Canning jars – Quart or pint-sized with new lids and bands.
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Water bath canner – Large pot with rack to submerge jars.
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Jar lifter tongs
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Bubble removal tool – Non-metallic and heat-safe.
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Clean towels – For jar drying and cooling.
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Permanent marker – To date sealed jars.
Step-by-Step Canning Process
Follow these steps for safely canned beans flavored with turkey:
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Prep ingredients – Wash and trim green beans. Dice onion and mince garlic. Cut smoked turkey into pieces if needed to fit jars.
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Blanch green beans – Boil 2-3 minutes to soften. Shock in ice bath. Drain well.
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Fill jars – Pack blanched beans, turkey, onions, garlic, and spices into clean jars. Pour in hot liquid, leaving 1-inch headspace.
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Remove air bubbles – Use bubble tool to release trapped air. Wipe rims clean.
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Seal jars – Place lids and bands. Screw bands just until fingertip tight.
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Process jars – Submerge sealed jars in canner filled with hot water. Process for recommended time based on altitude.
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Cool & test seals – Let jars cool undisturbed 24 hours. Press lids to ensure a concave seal.
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Date & store – Wipe clean, label with contents and date. Store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.
And that’s it! Follow those simple canning steps and you’ll have delicious soul food green beans with turkey ready anytime.
Tips for Canning Success
Here are some extra tips to help ensure safe, high-quality canned green beans:
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Only use tested canning recipes from reputable sources.
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Carefully follow all instructions for jar filling, headspace, processing times, etc.
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Ensure smoked turkey and beans are completely submerged in liquid.
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Use new lids each time and check seals thoroughly after processing.
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Store in a cool, dark place between 50°F to 70°F for best quality and shelf life.
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Refrigerate after opening and use within 5-7 days. Don’t re-can opened jars.
Delicious Ways to Use Canned Green Beans with Smoked Turkey
The possibilities are endless for how to eat your homemade canned beans! Enjoy them:
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Warmed as a side dish with meat entrées.
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In casseroles, soups, pot pies and stir fries.
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As the basis for turkey and bean salad.
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Pureed into a creamy turkey green bean dip.
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Mixed with rice, broth and spices for a quick skillet meal.
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Added to greens along with diced sweet potatoes for a salad.
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Served chilled right from the jar for snacking!
Final Thoughts on Canning This Southern Classic
Be sure to only use approved canning methods and recipes for a safely shelf-stable dish your family will request time and time again. Once you discover how simple it is to create these down-home flavors in a jar, you’ll never go back to plain old canned green beans!
Ingredients For french style green beans w/ smoked turkey
- 2 lb smoked turkey legs cooked tender & deboned or smoked meat of your choice
- 24 oz frozen french style green beans
- 4 md red skin potatoes washed & cubed
- 2 c baby carrots quartered (measure first then quarter)
- 1 lg onion, chopped
- 1/2-1 tsp coarse black pepper & garlic powder (or use steak seasoning)
How To Make french style green beans w/ smoked turkey
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1 Add the turkey legs to a large pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, then lower heat and allow to simmer till meat is tender and all but falling from bone about 2 hours or so, depending on the brand you purchase. May need to add additional water to cover while legs are cooking.
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- Last Step: Dont forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
Delicious Canned Green Beans w/Smoked Turkey & Potatoes
FAQ
What vegetables go with smoked turkey?
Sweet dishes like honey-glazed carrots, apple slaw, or a cranberry sauce with orange zest offer a bright, fruity contrast that cuts through the richness of the turkey. As far as savory sides that go with smoked turkey, mac and cheese, garlic green beans, and wild rice pilaf all add depth and umami to the meal.
What is the best meat for green beans?
Southern-style green beans are different than most recipes because of the cooking method. Typically fresh string beans or green beans are simmered away in a pot along with a smoky meat like smoked turkey or ham hock until that flavor enhances the veggies in the most unique way.
Are canned green beans cooked already?
- Canned green beans are already cooked. You only need to heat them and serve.
- Since they are very tender you should choose a fast reheating method.
- You could also drain them and heat then in the microwave.
- My final suggestion would be to pour them into a pot of boiling water for a minute and then strain them out.
Is smoked turkey considered fully cooked?
Fully cooked—Just heat and serve! Celebrate the holidays with our big, broad-breasted turkey, smoked slowly and oh-so-carefully to enhance the natural, wonderful flavor of these choice, plump, juicy and tender birds.