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.