Hey y’all! So today, we’re making some of my favorite green beans ever. They’re warm, smoky, and just packed with flavor. And guess what? Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe, They’re super easy too!
Now, I know green beans might not sound all that special-but trust me, these are different. They taste just like the ones from Long John Silver’s, but even better. We’re adding some smoky magic to make ’em extra tasty.
And since it’s Christmas week, I wanted to share something simple and yummy you can make for your holiday meal. These green beans are perfect for dinner with family. So, grab a skillet and let’s get cooking!
What Does Long John Silver Green Bean Taste Like?
Long John Silver’s green beans have that simple, down-home flavor you remember from your favorite comfort food meals. They’re tender, savory, and seasoned just right-never too salty, never too plain.
When made with this recipe, they pick up an extra layer of smoky richness thanks to liquid smoke and that homemade steak seasoning. You’ll taste hints of garlic, black pepper, and herbs, with just a touch of that umami flavor from the bouillon cube.
The result is a side dish that feels hearty and satisfying, with a flavor that’s way bigger than the short ingredient list. These green beans aren’t just filler-they’re a favorite in their own right.
Ingredients Required for Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Long John Silver Green Bean
- 1 can cut green beans (do not drain!)
- 1 heaping teaspoon homemade steak seasoning (see below)
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 part smoked sea salt
- 1 part black pepper
- 1 part garlic powder
- Slightly less Italian seasoning
- A pinch of Accent flavor enhancer
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Medium nonstick skillet
- Spoon or spatula
- Induction or standard cooktop
- Bowl for serving
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
Yield: Serves 2–3 people
Copycat Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe
Simply follow the steps given below to make your Long John Silver Green Bean at home
1. Dump and Heat
Open your can of green beans and pour the whole thing-liquid and all-right into your skillet. No need to strain unless you’re using multiple cans. Spread the beans out a bit with your spoon.
2. Season It Up
Sprinkle in a heaping teaspoon of that homemade steak seasoning you mixed ahead of time. This is where all the bold flavor comes from.
3. Bouillon Boost
Drop in one chicken bouillon cube. No need to break it up-it’ll melt down as things heat up.
4. Add That Smoky Touch
Carefully pour in one teaspoon of liquid smoke. Trust me, a little goes a long way here, and it makes the biggest difference in flavor.
5. Simmer and Stir
Turn your cooktop to medium-high heat. Let everything come to a gentle simmer and give it a stir now and then. Let the liquid slowly cook down-this concentrates all that flavor into the beans.
6. Sizzle to Finish
Once most of the liquid has evaporated, let the beans lightly fry in the skillet. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking but allow them to get just a little browned and toasty on the edges.
7. Plate and Serve
Turn off the heat and spoon those green beans into a serving bowl. They’re ready to enjoy themselves!
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Long John Silver Green Bean
1. Next to a Glazed Ham at Christmas Dinner
Oh y’all-these green beans and a juicy brown sugar-glazed ham? That’s holiday magic. We’ve served them like this more times than I can count, and there’s never a spoonful left.
2. Tucked Beside Fried Chicken
We love a crispy fried chicken dinner, and these smoky green beans bring just the right balance. That smoky flavor cuts through the richness, and it feels like a Southern Sunday supper every time.
3. With Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
I don’t know about you, but when we serve mashed potatoes, we always need a veggie with some kick. These green beans do just that-they hold their own and add a savory punch to the plate.
4. On a BBQ Plate with Ribs and Cornbread
Let me tell you, we’ve done backyard BBQs with ribs, cornbread, and these beans, and folks come back for seconds (and thirds). That liquid smoke just ties everything together like a dream.
5. With Meatloaf and Mac and Cheese
This one’s a weeknight favorite. Smoky green beans, a slice of homemade meatloaf, and creamy mac and cheese-simple, satisfying, and full of comfort.
6. Tossed into a Warm Rice Bowl
We’ve even spooned these green beans over a bowl of fluffy rice with some grilled chicken or sausage. Quick, easy, and tastes like it came from a diner down South.
7. Served Cold as Part of a Picnic Spread
Believe it or not, these green beans taste great chilled too! We’ve brought them to a potluck picnic before, and they disappeared just as fast as the potato salad.
8. On the Side of a Roast Chicken Dinner
Roast chicken, maybe some roasted carrots, and these green beans? That’s a meal that makes you wanna light a candle and call it date night-even if it’s just Tuesday.
9. With Pork Chops and Apples
We’ve had this combo more than once-smoky beans, juicy pork chops, and sautéed apples. Something about the sweet and savory just works like magic on the taste buds.
10. Tucked into a Country-Style Breakfast Plate
Yep, we’ve done it-served these green beans with eggs, biscuits, and sausage gravy for breakfast. Sounds wild, but it’s hearty and honestly amazing if you’re a fan of savory starts to your day.
Some Tips on This Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe
1. Don’t Drain the Can!
That juice in the can? It helps cook the beans and gives them more flavor. Just pour the whole thing in the skillet.
2. Use a Nonstick Skillet
This keeps the beans from sticking when you fry them at the end. Way easier to clean, too!
3. Mix the Seasoning First
Make your steak seasoning before you start cooking. That way, you’re not rushing and spilling stuff later.
4. Start with Medium-High Heat
Not too hot, not too cold. This helps everything heat up just right without burning.
5. Watch the Liquid
Let the juice cook down, but don’t walk away! Stir now and then so nothing burns.
6. Don’t Use Too Much Liquid Smoke
A little bit goes a long way. One teaspoon is just enough to give that smoky taste.
7. Crush the Bouillon Cube if You Want
It melts fine on its own, but you can crush it to help it mix faster.
8. Let Them Brown a Bit
After the juice is gone, let the beans fry just a little. That makes them extra tasty!
9. Taste Before Adding Salt
The bouillon and steak seasoning already have salt. Try a bite first so it doesn’t get too salty.
10. Double the Recipe for More People
Just add more cans of beans-but remember to drain a little juice if you’re using two or more.
How to Store and Reheat Long John Silver Green Bean
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in a skillet or microwave until warm. You can also freeze them if needed-though they’re best fresh off the stove.

Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe
Now, I know green beans might not sound all that special-but trust me, these are different. They taste just like the ones from Long John Silver’s, but even better. We’re adding some smoky magic to make ’em extra tasty.
Ingredients
- 1 can cut green beans (do not drain!)
- 1 heaping teaspoon homemade steak seasoning (see below)
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 part smoked sea salt
- 1 part black pepper
- 1 part garlic powder
- Slightly less Italian seasoning
- A pinch of Accent flavor enhancer
Instructions
1. Dump and Heat
Open your can of green beans and pour the whole thing-liquid and all-right into your skillet. No need to strain unless you’re using multiple cans. Spread the beans out a bit with your spoon.
2. Season It Up
Sprinkle in a heaping teaspoon of that homemade steak seasoning you mixed ahead of time. This is where all the bold flavor comes from.
3. Bouillon Boost
Drop in one chicken bouillon cube. No need to break it up-it’ll melt down as things heat up.
4. Add That Smoky Touch
Carefully pour in one teaspoon of liquid smoke. Trust me, a little goes a long way here, and it makes the biggest difference in flavor.
5. Simmer and Stir
Turn your cooktop to medium-high heat. Let everything come to a gentle simmer and give it a stir now and then. Let the liquid slowly cook down-this concentrates all that flavor into the beans.
6. Sizzle to Finish
Once most of the liquid has evaporated, let the beans lightly fry in the skillet. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking but allow them to get just a little browned and toasty on the edges.
7. Plate and Serve
Turn off the heat and spoon those green beans into a serving bowl. They’re ready to enjoy themselves!
Notes
If you’ve got leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in a skillet or microwave until warm. You can also freeze them if needed-though they’re best fresh off the stove.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 120
Common Queries on This Long John Silver Green Bean Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Long John Silver Green Bean that people often ask.
1. Does Long John Silver’s have green beans on their menu?
Not anymore, unfortunately. They used to serve green beans as a side dish, and a lot of folks loved them! That’s actually why we started making this copycat version at home. It captures that same savory, comforting flavor-but with a little smoky twist that makes it even better.
2. What’s the difference between a long bean and a green bean?
Great question! Long beans-sometimes called yardlong beans-are thinner and, well, a whole lot longer than your regular green beans. They’re a bit firmer and have a slightly nuttier taste. But for this recipe, we’re sticking with the classic canned cut green beans, just like Long John Silver’s used to serve.
3. What are long green beans good for?
Long green beans are awesome for stir-fries and Asian-style dishes because they hold their shape and texture really well. But when it comes to that Southern-style, smoky flavor? Regular green beans in a can are the way to go-they soak up all the seasoning and get nice and tender.
4. Can I use fresh green beans instead of canned?
Absolutely, you sure can! Just make sure to blanch or boil them first until tender before starting the recipe. The canned ones are super convenient, though, and they already have that soft texture we’re going for here.
5. Should I drain the green beans before cooking?
Nope, not for this one-can version! The liquid in the can actually helps carry the flavor and gives you that little simmering base. If you’re using more than one can, though, you might want to drain some of the extra liquid.
6. What does liquid smoke do in this recipe?
Oh, it’s the secret star of the show! Liquid smoke gives the green beans that deep, smoky flavor like they’ve been cooked low and slow over a wood fire-even though they were just on the stovetop for 15 minutes. Just don’t overdo it; a teaspoon is plenty.
7. What if I don’t have smoked sea salt?
No worries! You can use regular sea salt or kosher salt. It won’t be quite as smoky, but the liquid smoke and bouillon cube will still bring plenty of flavor. We’ve made it both ways, and it’s always tasty.
8. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yep! You can cook it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. We like to reheat it in a skillet to get those edges crispy again. It also reheats fine in the microwave if you’re in a hurry.
9. Is this recipe spicy?
Not at all. It’s flavorful, but not spicy. If you want a little heat, you could add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne. We’ve done that a time or two, and it gives it a nice kick!
10. Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?
For sure! Just use more cans of green beans and double (or triple) your seasoning. If you’re using multiple cans, remember to drain some of the extra liquid so it doesn’t get too soupy. We’ve made big batches for holiday dinners, and it always disappears fast.
There you have it-my favorite way to make green beans, and honestly, it might just become your favorite too. Whether you’re whipping these up for a big holiday dinner or just craving a cozy side dish, this Long John Silver-style recipe brings bold, smoky flavor with hardly any effort.
If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how you make your green beans down in the comments. Wishing y’all a warm and delicious Christmas-see you next recipe! Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.
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