How to Steam Green Beans
Learn how to steam green beans on the stovetop or in the microwave for a quick and easy side dish. These green beans turn out crisp-tender and vibrant every time. Finish them off with your favorite seasoning, like butter, garlic salt, or a sprinkle of Parmesan.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
Steaming green beans on the stove-top:
- Wash the green beans and trim about ¼ to ½ inch from the stem end (you can trim both ends if you like).
- Pour 1 to 2 inches of water into a large pot and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil.
- Add the green beans to the steamer basket and cover the pot with a lid.
- Steam the beans for 3 to 6 minutes. Check for doneness after 3 minutes and cook longer if desired.
- Once they’re cooked to your liking, transfer the green beans to a serving bowl and season as desired. (See notes for seasoning ideas.)
To steam green beans in the microwave:
- Place the trimmed green beans in a microwavable bowl and add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high for 3 to 6 minutes, until the beans reach your preferred tenderness.
Video
Notes
- Make sure the water is producing steam before adding the green beans to the pot.
- Properly steamed green beans will be bright green and tender-crisp, easy to pierce with a fork but not mushy.
- For very soft green beans (similar to canned), steam for 8 to 9 minutes. Just know they’ll lose that vibrant green color.
- No steamer basket? You can place the beans directly in the water. They’ll steam and poach at the same time, but the beans on the bottom will lose some color and be softer.
- Additional seasoning is not calculated in the nutrition information.
Seasoning suggestions:
- salt and pepper
- Everything Bagel Seasoning blend
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Butter
- Garlic salt
- Crumbled bacon
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 35kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 7mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
