Steam-Free String Bean Cooking: Easy Stovetop Techniques

String beans, also known as green beans, are a simple and stringy vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. While steaming is a popular method, it is not the only way to cook string beans. If you don't have a steamer, you can boil, blanch, bake, sauté, or roast them. Boiling and blanching are done on the stovetop, while baking and roasting are done in the oven. Sautéing can be done on the stovetop or in an electric pressure cooker.

How to cook string beans on a stovetop

First, rinse your string beans in a colander. Snap off any ends that still have a stem attached. You can also trim both ends of the beans with a knife, scissors, or your hands.

Next, fill a pot or deep skillet with about an inch of water and place a steam basket inside. If you don't have a steam basket, you can steam the beans directly in the water. The bottom layer of beans may cook slightly more, but it will be barely noticeable.

Place the washed beans into the steam basket or directly into the water. Cover the pot or skillet and turn the heat to high. Allow the water to come to a boil, which should take about 3 minutes.

Once the water is boiling, let the beans steam for about 4-6 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of tenderness. Aim for beans that are a vibrant green color and tender but still have a bit of bite.

Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and take the beans out of the steam basket or drain the water if you didn't use a steam basket. Place the beans back into the pot and add some butter, olive oil, or a combination of both. Stir to melt the butter and coat the beans.

Finally, season the beans with salt and pepper, or your desired herbs and spices, and serve.

Enjoy your freshly cooked string beans!

How to steam string beans in a microwave

Firstly, you will need to trim and clean your string beans. You can do this with a knife, scissors, or even your hands.

Next, put the trimmed beans in a large bowl with a tablespoon of water at the bottom. You can also use freshly washed green beans with the water clinging to them. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plate, avoiding plastic wrap.

Then, cook the beans in the microwave on high power for 1 minute. Check if the beans are tender. If not, repeat at 15-second intervals until they are steamed to your liking.

Finally, season your beans to taste. You can keep it simple with melted butter, salt, and pepper, or try something different like lemon zest and juice, sesame oil and sesame seeds, or a combination of these.

Steaming string beans in the microwave is a quick and convenient way to cook them, but it can be more challenging to get an even level of cooking. You may also need to drain or dry the beans after cooking, depending on the power of your microwave.

How to blanch string beans

Blanching is a cooking process that transforms fresh green beans into partially cooked, chilled green beans. This is a helpful process when you want the beans to cook quickly in another dish or you want to serve them as they are.

Step 1: Prepare the beans

Remove the stem ends with a knife or kitchen scissors. If your beans have them, remove any tough strings that run along the length of the beans. There is no need to trim off the tails. You can also slice the beans lengthwise down the middle, which is called "frenched" beans.

Step 2: Boil the beans

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt to the water, which will bring the green beans to life and enhance their flavor. The amount of salt can vary, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt per quart of water. Once the water is boiling, add the beans and boil until they are tender but still crisp and bright green. This usually takes about 3 to 5 minutes.

Step 3: Prepare an ice bath

While the beans are cooking, fill a large bowl with ice water. As soon as the beans are done cooking, transfer them immediately to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their bright green color. Leave the beans in the ice water for a few minutes until they are completely cool.

Step 4: Dry the beans

Once the beans are cool, remove them from the ice water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.

Step 5: Serve or store the beans

Blanched beans can be served immediately or stored for later use. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 6 months.

How to roast string beans

Roasting string beans is a great way to cook them without a steamer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roast string beans:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, wash and trim your string beans. You can do this by rinsing them in a colander and snapping off any ends that still have stems attached.

Next, in a large bowl, toss the string beans with oil, salt, and pepper to coat them evenly. You can also add in your favourite seasonings or spices to give the beans an extra kick of flavour.

After this, spread the beans in an even layer on a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan as this will prevent the beans from browning evenly.

Once the oven has preheated, place the pan in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the edges are browned.

Finally, carefully remove the pan from the oven and serve the beans. You can enjoy them as a side dish or add them to your favourite green bean recipes.

And there you have it! A simple and delicious way to cook string beans without a steamer. Enjoy!

How to season steamed string beans

There are many ways to season steamed string beans. Here are some ideas:

• Butter, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper
• Lemon zest and juice
• Sesame oil and sesame seeds
• Olive oil, Parmesan cheese, white wine vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper
• Lemon-garlic
• Tarragon pesto
• Toasted almonds
• Dill, tarragon, and thyme
• Red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and smoked paprika
• Slivered almonds, pine nuts, and cashews
• Bacon

When seasoning steamed string beans, it's important to remember not to overcook them. They should be cooked until they are bright green, tender, and still have a good bite.

Frequently asked questions