Steaming Green Beans: A Quick, Healthy Way

Steaming is a great way to cook fresh green beans. It's simple, fast, and uncomplicated, and you can make them in several different flavours to match your main dish. It's also a healthy cooking method, as it preserves the beans' beautiful green colour and nutritional value. There are three ways to steam green beans: in a steamer basket, a pan on the stove, or in the microwave. In all three cases, the beans are cooked by the heat of the steam from boiling water. This moist and gentle heat cooks the beans evenly, softening their texture while retaining their vitamins and minerals.

How to steam green beans in a steamer basket

Steaming is a great way to cook green beans. It's fast, uncomplicated, and delicious. The moist and relatively gentle heat cooks the beans evenly, softening their texture while maintaining their nutritional value and vibrant colour.

What You Need:

• Green beans
• A steamer basket or insert that fits in a pot
• A pot
• Water
• Butter (optional)
• Salt (optional)
• Pepper (optional)

Steps:

• Rinse the green beans in a colander. Snap off any ends that still have a stem attached. You can also cut the beans in half, or leave them whole.
• Place about an inch of water in a pot or deep skillet. The water should not be so deep that it comes up through the holes in the steamer basket.
• Place the steamer basket inside the pot.
• Fill the steamer basket with the washed green beans.
• Place a lid on the pot or skillet, turn the heat to high, and bring the water to a boil (about 3 minutes).
• Allow the green beans to steam for about 3 to 7 minutes, depending on how tender or crisp you like your beans. Aim for beans that are a vibrant green colour and tender but still have a bit of bite.
• Once cooked to your liking, remove the pot from the heat. Remove the steamer basket with the green beans and discard the water from the bottom of the pot.
• Place the beans back into the pot without the steamer basket and add some butter, if desired. Stir to melt the butter, using the residual heat from the pot.
• Season with a little salt and pepper, if desired, then serve.

How to steam green beans in a microwave

Steaming green beans is a great way to cook them while maintaining their beautiful green colour and keeping their nutritional value. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to steam green beans in a microwave:

Step 1: Prepare the Green Beans

Rinse the green beans in a colander and snap off the ends of any beans that still have an attached stem. You can also cut the beans in half, or leave them whole if you prefer. Freshly washed green beans can be used with the water clinging to them.

Step 2: Set Up the Microwave

Place the trimmed and cleaned green beans in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add a scant tablespoon or so of water to the bottom of the bowl. You can also use the water left on the beans from washing.

Step 3: Cover and Microwave

Cover the bowl of green beans with a microwave-safe lid or plate. Avoid using plastic wrap in the microwave. Cook the green beans on high power for 1 minute.

Step 4: Test and Adjust

After microwaving for 1 minute, test the green beans for doneness. If they need more time, microwave in 15-second intervals until they are steamed to your liking.

Step 5: Drain and Serve (Optional)

Depending on the amount of water used and the power of your microwave, you may need to drain or dry the green beans before serving. Season with butter, salt, and pepper, or your desired herbs and spices. Enjoy!

Note: Steaming green beans in the microwave may result in uneven cooking, and it can be more difficult to achieve the desired level of tenderness. Adjust the timing and intervals as needed to suit your microwave and preferences.

How to prepare green beans for steaming

Preparing green beans for steaming is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Wash and rinse the green beans in a colander.
• Remove any attached stems by snapping or cutting off the ends. You can do this individually or line up several beans and cut them simultaneously.
• Optionally, you can cut or snap the beans in half, or leave them whole for a more dramatic presentation.
• If desired, you can also trim both ends of the beans, though it is not necessary to trim the pointy end.
• Fill a pot or deep skillet with about an inch of water. The amount of water should be enough to generate steam but not so much that it touches the beans.
• Place a steamer basket inside the pot or skillet. Ensure the water level is not too high; it should not come up through the holes in the steamer basket.
• Put the cleaned and trimmed green beans into the steamer basket.
• Cover the pot or skillet with a lid.

Your green beans are now prepared and ready for steaming. You can proceed to cook them according to your preferred method, such as on the stovetop or in the microwave. Remember not to overcook them, as this can affect their texture and flavour. Aim for a bright green colour and tender beans that still have a good bite to them.

How long to steam green beans

Steaming is a great way to cook green beans, as it helps maintain their vibrant colour and nutritional value. The time it takes to steam green beans depends on the method and equipment used, as well as your desired level of crispness.

If you're using a steamer basket, you should steam the beans for 3 to 7 minutes, depending on how tender you like them. If you're steaming them directly in a skillet, it should take around 4-6 minutes. If you're short on time, you can also steam green beans in the microwave; this takes around 1 minute, followed by 15-second intervals until they're cooked to your liking.

Regardless of the method, it's important not to overcook green beans. They should be bright green, tender, and still have a good bite to them.

How to serve steamed green beans

Preparation

Before serving steamed green beans, you'll need to prepare them. Start by rinsing the beans in a colander. Snap off the ends of any beans that still have stems attached. You can also choose to cut the beans in half, or leave them whole.

Cooking

There are several ways to cook green beans, including steaming them in a steamer basket, a stovetop pan, or a microwave.

• To steam green beans, place about an inch of water in a pot or deep skillet. Place the steamer basket inside the pot, ensuring the water doesn't come up through the holes in the basket. Fill the basket with the washed green beans, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Allow the beans to steam for around 5 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness.
• To cook green beans on a stovetop, place the beans and water in a large skillet or pot with a lid. Bring the water to a boil and cook, covered, until the beans are slightly tender (around 4-6 minutes).
• To cook green beans in the microwave, place trimmed and cleaned beans in a microwave-safe bowl with a small amount of water at the bottom. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate and cook on high power for 1 minute. Test the beans and continue cooking in 15-second intervals until they are steamed to your liking.

Seasoning

Once your beans are cooked, you can season them with a variety of ingredients. Try adding some butter, salt, and pepper to taste. You can also experiment with different flavors, such as lemon zest, sesame oil, and sesame seeds.

Serving Suggestions

Steamed green beans make a great side dish and can be served with a variety of main courses. Try serving them with roasted or mashed potatoes and meat, or a vegetarian main dish. They can also be added to salads, casseroles, or used as a base for a heartier dish.

Frequently asked questions