Want to know how long to boil green beans for the perfect al dente (blanched) or more tender version? Plus, how to sauté (pan), air fry, steam, bake in the oven, microwave, pressure cook/Instant Pot cook green beans! From fresh to frozen, even canned green beans, look no further!
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Green beans are the perfect vegetable choice for side-meals—most importantly, they’re tasty, delicious, and healthy! It’s a common vegetable that can be bought from your local grocery store in any season.
Having green beans often is good for you since they are full of fiber that helps to keep the digestive system healthy and running smoothly.
Not only are they healthy, but they are also tasty fun, and easy to prepare with any method of cooking you like. Speaking of healthy, you will also love this frozen cauliflower in air fryer, Lobster Fried Rice and Air Fryer Mahi Mahi!
And more importantly, cooking green beans is quick and simple since you can season and prepare them in any way you want! And speaking of amazing how-to cooking methods, be sure to check out How to Season a Blackstone Griddle!
Most recipes with green beans can be done in just a few minutes. It also perfectly blends well with any dish you cook it with including herbs, spices, and bits of meat like ground pork or beef, bacon, butter, garlic, crispy onions, or even tomatoes.
Having green beans on your table will definitely give a delicious variation to your regular meals while keeping your loved ones healthy. Always remember, health is wealth!
Why this recipe works
- Green beans are an amazing and healthy side dish that your whole family can enjoy!
- You can learn how to cook green beans using virtually any cooking method, including the air fryer, oven, stove-top (pan sauté), microwave or pressure cooker!
- You can cook any different type of green beans including fresh, frozen or canned and can prepare them exactly to your tastes including al dente, blanched or tender and can add many different seasonings.
Ingredients
Green Beans: Fresh, frozen or canned.
How Long to Boil Green Beans
How Long to Boil Green Beans (Al Dente or Blanched)
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Set aside.
- Bring pot of water to a vigorous boil. Add green beans and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes.
- If serving beans in a cold preparation, using metal kitchen tongs, move beans into the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and serve. If serving hot, remove beans directly to a bowl or plate.
How Long to Boil Green Beans (Softer/Tender)
- Bring pot of water to a vigorous boil. Add green beans and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes or until they reach desired tenderness. Drain and serve.
How long do I cook fresh green beans?
Freshly picked green beans from your garden are always better than simply buying them anywhere.
As for how long you should cook freshly picked green beans may depend on their thickness and freshness.
It will usually take 4 to 5 minutes for them to cook, but will also depend on the level of tenderness you want your green beans to be.
Nonetheless, 5 minutes of boiling is the ideal time if you want to have tender yet crisp green beans.
How long to boil green beans to make them soft
Your family would love to eat well-softened vegetables like green beans especially if you’re serving them for kids. Every bite should be tender enough so they would enjoy it even more.
To make them soft, add the green beans in boiling water and make sure to cover them and let it simmer for about 8-10 minutes. You can always check on them while stirring them occasionally to achieve perfectly soft green beans.
How to cook frozen green beans
Having a pack of frozen green beans in your fridge is great if you plan on cooking them at a later date. Cooking frozen green beans is similar to cooking fresh ones as they are boiled at almost the same amount of time.
Just be sure to add the green beans only when the water is boiling as adding them earlier may affect the texture. Then, simply boil them for about 3-5 minutes or until they are thoroughly cooked and tender.
How to cook canned green beans
Having canned greens beans on your pantry is the right solution if you want a fast side dish to go. Canned green beans, like most canned foods, are already cooked.
However, this doesn’t stop you from heating it up and adding your own seasonings. If you want to serve canned green beans, make sure to drain the water from the can and rinse the green beans twice before adding them to a pot or pan.
You can then choose to heat them in pot of boiling water or sauté them in a hot pan. Since canned green beans are pre-cooked, heating them for about 3 minutes should be enough.
How to cook green beans in a pan (sautéed)
If you plan on elevating the flavors of your green beans, try sautéing them in a hot pan with olive oil, garlic and onions. Boiling the green beans for 3 minutes before cooking them in a pan can give you a nice tender texture for the beans.
Then start preheating the pan with oil or butter at medium heat. Then add the green beans and other ingredients such as garlic, mushrooms, and bell peppers.
Don’t forget to season them with salt and pepper for flavor. Cook for about 3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.
When done, remove the green beans from the pan, squeeze a bit of lemon juice on top and enjoy!
How to air fry green beans
Using an air fryer is always a quick and easy way to cook most dishes—including green beans! Start by preheating the air fryer to 400°F.
While your air fryer is heating, place the green beans in a bowl. Then add a few drops of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and mix them by hand.
Then place the beans in the fryer basket and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes. To cook them thoroughly, shake the basket halfway through cooking.
How to steam fresh green beans
Steaming is one of the simplest ways to cook vegetables and it’s slightly healthier than boiling as it retains more nutrients. Of course, that includes green beans!
Before you start steaming them, be sure to wash the green beans and trim their ends. Next, place a steamer basket on top of a medium-sized saucepan and fill it with 2 inches of water.
Then bring the water to a boil before placing the green beans in the basket. Cover the steamer basket and cook the green beans for about 5 minutes.
Once they’re done cooking, drain the water and place the green beans back in the saucepan.
Then add butter, season them with salt and pepper, and cook for another 3 minutes before serving them.
How to cook green beans in microwave
You may want to stop worrying about the trouble in cooking if you’re too hungry. Green beans can be cooked in a microwave and be ready in no time—not to mention it’s a healthy vegetable!
To start off, wash and trim the green beans. Then place them in a microwavable dish and fill it with either broth or water.
Set the microwave heat on high and let it cook for about 4 to 5 minutes. Adding a minute or two is fine if you want it to be softer.
Drain the water and you may serve it as it is or add salt and pepper if you prefer.
How long to cook green beans at 425 degrees F (oven)
The amazing part about green beans is that they can be cooked in any kitchen equipment available in your house. This recipe is just as easy and quick as 1-2-3 with a few extra hints to help you.
First, preheat the oven at 425°F. Then trim your fresh green beans and lay them in an oven-safe tray with baking sheet. Next, drizzle them with olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper, making sure to toss them until evenly coated.
Now place them inside the oven and roast for about 10-15 minutes. Once they’re crisp and caramelized, take them out and serve.
How long to pressure cook green beans
Green beans as a side dish would be ready in just 2 minutes of cooking time with the help of a pressure cooker. First, pour half a cup of water in the pressure cooker and place the steamer rack.
Next, place the green beans on the rack and pressure cook for 1 to 2 minutes depending on how soft you want the green beans to be. Then quick release and remove the lid.
Carefully remove the green beans from the steamer rack and place them on a serving plate. You may personalize it with toppings or sauces like melted butter or oyster sauce depending on your personal taste.
How to cook green beans in instant pot
If you run out of ideas on what vegetable to cook, green beans are the answer. Not only does it contain several nutrients and vitamins, but they are also easy to cook with a reliable Instant Pot Pressure cooker.
This recipe will guide you on how to cook green beans in an Instant Pot pressure cooker that will give you a deliciously tasty and crunchy effect.
Either way, you may season your green beans before or after the pressure cooking process.
The first step is to add water to the Instant Pot and place the green beans in the pressure cooker basket.
Close the lid and set the Instant Pot on high pressure for about 0 to 2 minutes. Be ready to quickly release the pressure as soon as it beeps.
This will give your green beans a bright green color and a crisp-tender texture.
Remove the green beans from the basket and drain the water. Transfer them to a hot pan as you seasoned them with olive oil, minced garlic, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
From there you are free to add other ingredients or sauces like oyster sauce or lemon juice to complete your side dish.
How to make canned green beans taste good
Having vegetables for dinner can sometimes be a challenge for home cooks, especially when you’re serving them to kids. One way to make your kids eat healthy green beans is to add seasoning or pair it with their favorite dish.
Green beans are the perfect choice if you are planning a healthy dinner meal for your family as these can be easily paired with other dishes and can be cooked the way you like them.
Enjoy these useful tips on what you can add to green beans to complete your tasty side dish.
Butter: Adding butter gives much flavor to your green beans as with most dishes.
Bacon: Adding sweet bacon bits or finely chopped bacon to your green beans can definitely improve its flavor.
Spices/Seeds: Try adding crushed whole seeds such as cumin, fennel and coriander.
Salt & Pepper: Nothing beats the good old combo salt and pepper. These make anything taste good!
Red Pepper Flakes: If you want to spice things up, adding a pinch of red pepper flakes can go a long way!
Oyster Sauce: This sauce will add up a combination of salty and sweet flavor that you will enjoy. This can be added while cooking or after cooking.
Meat: If you want a little meat to pair with your veggies, adding ground meat is delicious.
Lemon: Drizzling lemon juice on green beans makes it more aromatic and tasty.
Salmon: If you’re into fish, cooking green beans with salmon is also a favorite.
Potatoes: Dice potatoes into small pieces and serve them with green beans to complete a tasteful side dish.
Looking for other delicious side dishes?
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How Long to Boil Green Beans
Equipment
- Pot, Pressure Cooker, Baking Sheet, Air Fryer, Microwave or Sauté Pan
Ingredients
- 1 lb green beans
Instructions
How Long to Boil Green Beans (Al Dente or Blanched)
- Fill a large bowl with cold water and ice. Set aside.
- Bring pot of water to a vigorous boil. Add green beans and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes.
- If serving beans in a cold preparation, using metal kitchen tongs, move beans into the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain and serve. If serving hot, remove beans directly to a bowl or plate.
How Long to Boil Green Beans (Softer/Tender)
- Bring pot of water to a vigorous boil. Add green beans and cook for approximately 5-8 minutes or until they reach desired tenderness. Drain and serve.
Tyler
Easy green bean recipe.