Discover the secret to making the most delicious and vibrant green beans! This simple recipe will have them begging for more at your next family gathering or weeknight dinner.
The best green beans ever are a classic side dish that brings back memories of cozy family meals, festive feasts, and summer barbecues. Cooking green beans to perfection can be seen as an art form – achieving the ideal balance of crispness and tenderness is key. And the best part? This dish takes only 20 minutes to make! Whether you’re looking for a quick and nutritious meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this recipe is a must-try.
After extensive testing, we can confidently say that steaming is the superior method for cooking green beans. We’ll share all the details on how to steam green beans in the recipe card below!
Did you know there are over 100 different types of green beans to choose from? You can make the best green beans ever with any of them! Here are some popular options:
- String beans
- Snap beans
- French green beans
- Romano beans
- Long beans
Feel free to use fresh or frozen green beans for this recipe – both work equally well.
To prepare fresh green beans, start by rinsing them thoroughly and trimming off the ends. You can either snap off the ends by hand or use a knife. If you have long green beans, consider snapping them in half for easier eating. Properly prepared vegetables are the key to achieving the best results!
You have four different options for preparing the best green beans ever, and all involve steaming. Here’s what you’ll need:
Steamer: A specialized kitchen appliance with a base, steaming basket, and lid.
Makeshift steamer: Use a pot, colander, and a lid that fits to create your own steamer.
Pan: If you don’t have a steamer, a saucepan large enough to fit your veggies will do the trick.
Microwave: Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl.
Check your kitchen to see which equipment you have on hand, then follow the instructions accordingly!
To make the best green beans, we recommend adding butter, salt, and pepper after steaming. If you want to take it up a notch, consider these flavorful additions:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Parmesan cheese
The best green beans ever are the ultimate side dish. Here are some delicious serving suggestions:
Seafood: Healthy air fryer salmon, simple grilled swordfish, or easy lemon baked cod fish.
Poultry: Oven roasted jerk chicken, perfectly crispy coconut chicken, or classic chicken kiev.
Meat: Steak, crispy breaded pork chops, or Momma’s meatloaf.
Other veggies: Garlic bread roasted potatoes, honey roasted carrots, or easy stuffed bell peppers.
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. You can also reheat on the stovetop. Just add a little butter or olive oil to a saucepan or skillet (to prevent sticking), heat over medium heat, and cook until warmed through.
