Steamed Green Beans

Learn how to cook them in a pan and have a healthy side dish ready in less than 15 minutes!

Flavorful Steamed Green Beans

So green beans have been on your radar for a while but you’re not sure how to make them tasty and crispy instead of those soggy, bland steamed green beans we definitely don’t crave for. I feel you!

With this simple recipe, you can enjoy inviting steamed green beans just like you want them: bright green, flavorful, and tender yet slightly crispy. Since it takes less than 15 minutes from start to finish, they make the perfect healthy side for mid-week dinners.

Green beans are a staple in my house and my kids love when I serve Parmesan Green Bean Fries and Spicy Green Beans. Yes, kids + love + green veggies in the same sentence, that’s how good you can make green beans taste with the right recipes.

Ingredients 

Steamed green beans turn out flavorful by combining this veggie with just a few simple ingredients before serving:

How to Steam Green Beans

Does steaming green beans sound intimidating? Not anymore! Aside from the ingredients, you just need a pot or a skillet for boiling water, and a steamer basket (or similar, like a colander) to make steamed green beans. Check this step-by-step, and this side will be a hit: 

1. Prep the green beans
   Rinse the green beans, and with a knife, trim off the ends. You can steam them whole or slice them into smaller pieces.
2. Prep the steamer basket
   Place the steamer basket inside a skillet with sides or a pot –make sure you have a lid that fits. Once the basket is in place, fill the skillet or pot with enough water to *almost* come up to the steam basket holes.
3. Place the green beans
   Place the green beans on top of the steam basket and cover the skillet or pan with a lid. 
4. Steam
   Turn the heat on high and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and continue to steam the green beans for about 5 minutes.
5. Check tenderness
   Check for desired tenderness after 5 minutes. You’re looking for a bright green color with a slightly crisp texture. Once ready, remove the pot from the heat source and keep it uncovered.
6. Season and enjoy!
   Transfer the green beans from the basket onto a serving bowl. Top with butter, salt, and pepper and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

How Long Does it Take?

Once the water boils, it takes about 5 minutes for green beans to be cooked, still bright green and with a perfectly crisp texture. You can steam them a little longer if you want them more tender.

How to Know when Steamed Green Beans are Done

After 5 minutes of steaming green beans over boiling water, they should get a crisp and slightly tender texture. If green beans are undercooked, they’ll be too firm. If they are overcooked, they’ll be soggy. 

To make sure your green beans will have a perfect texture, check desired tenderness after 5 minutes of cooking, and add 1 or 2 extra minutes if you want them to be a little bit more tender.

Success Tips for Steamed Green Beans

Mastering the art of steamed green beans is super simple! You just need to follow the easy steps, and check doneness, and this epic side is ready to enjoy! Here are more tips to cook green beans like a pro:

Is it Better to Steam or Boil Green Beans?
Both steaming or boiling green beans will yield a healthy side dish without added fats since both use water to cook them. Steaming is faster than boiling, and you retain more nutrients as well.

Why do Green Beans turn Brown? 
Green beans can turn brown when they are cooked for too long under high heat –blanching them stops this process. This is also called the Maillard reaction, which changes the colors of the green bean’s sugar-amino acids.

Why Are Green Beans Tough? 
Green beans are tough when they are raw and undercooked. To soften them, you can steam the green beans, sauté them, or roast them.

Why are the green beans rubbery?
Green beans turn rubbery when they are overcooked, regardless of the method. It’s best to keep an eye on them and, when in doubt, follow a recipe.

What to Serve with Steamed Green Beans

This healthy and easy dish is one you can enjoy as a side to build all kinds of balanced meals. My favorite ways to serve steamed green beans include:

• With Baked Chicken Pieces 
• With Pan Seared Chicken Breasts
• With Southern Mashed Potatoes
• Over a tasty Nicoise Salad

Steamed Green Beans in a Pan (Beginners)

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 8 minutes mins

Total Time: 13 minutes mins

Enjoy flavorful steamed green beans that are slightly crisp on the outside and tender inside with this simple recipe.

5 from 12 votes

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Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh green beans
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

• Rinse the green beans, and with a knife, trim off the ends. You can steam them whole or slice them into smaller pieces.
• Place the steamer basket inside a skillet with sides or a pot -make sure you have a lid that fits. Once the basket is in place, fill the skillet or pot with enough water to *almost* come up to the steam basket holes.
• Place the green beans on top of the steam basket and cover the skillet or pan with a lid.
• Turn the heat on high and bring the water to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and continue to steam the green beans for about 5 minutes.
• Check for desired tenderness after 5 minutes. You're looking for a bright green color with a slightly crisp texture. Once ready, remove the pot from the heat source and keep it uncovered.
• Transfer the green beans from the basket onto a serving bowl. Top with butter, salt, and pepper and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Equipment

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 66kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg