Learn how to cook the best green beans ever! They are totally simple but totally delicious. They may become your family's new favorite vegetable. We're all about those tender green beans with a buttery finish. By steaming the green beans first, you'll lock in their fresh flavor while cooking them to your preferred level (we all have our preferences!) A quick toss in a hot skillet with melted butter takes these beans to the next level. It sounds too good to be true, but here we are with the best green beans!
Serve this classic side dish with us Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or us Easy Baked Pork Chops.
Why our recipe?
This classic, delicious green bean recipe pairs well with almost any meat, any dish, and fits any occasion. All it takes are four basic ingredients and 20 minutes. We've also got easy flavor variations, including garlic, spicy and bacon options. This is a recipe you'll come back to again and again.
Material notes
- Green Beans: Fresh green beans work best. Trim the edges before cooking. You can use frozen green beans.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter will work here. You can then adjust the additional salt more or less depending on the type of butter used.
Green bean substitute
This recipe will work with any of the green beans available, whether string beans, snap beans, French green beans, Romano beans, or long beans.
Frozen green beans A great alternative that can still work in this recipe. Frozen green beans are blanched before freezing so they can be steamed further if you like your green beans extra soft, or you can add them directly to the skillet if you prefer them tender-crisp.
Simply measure out 1 1/2 pounds of frozen green beans and add to the skillet with the melted butter. Cook them over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until they are heated through and tender. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
Snapping and trimming
Wash the fresh green beans and then trim the ends. You can use your hands to snap the very end of each side or use a knife to trim. Long green beans can be halved for easy eating. The best way to cook green beans starts with properly prepared vegetables!
Steamer
This recipe begins by steaming your green beans using a steamer basket. If you don't have one, no problem! There are other options you can work with based on what you have in your kitchen.
Steamer: You can buy a special kitchen appliance called a steamer. It has a base, a steaming basket and a lid.
Temporary Steamers: A makeshift steamer can be made using a pot, a colander and a lid that is at least somewhat accommodating. Use a colander over a pot with an inch or two of boiling water. Cover with a lid that is tight enough to trap steam.
Saucepan: The pan method isn't perfect, but it works. Choose a saucepan that is large enough to fit all your vegetables in it. Place green beans in a large saucepan with 1/2 inch of water. Cover and simmer over low heat until tender, but some beans may overcook if they touch the water.
Microwave: Place the green beans in a microwave-safe bowl covered with a small amount of water. Cover with plastic wrap, poke a few holes to let steam escape, and microwave until tender.
Storage and reheating instructions
Keep in fridge Leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container.
Reheat Microwave parts on high for 30-second intervals until heated through. You can reheat it on the stove top if you like. Put some butter or olive oil in a saucepan or pan (to prevent the vegetables from sticking) over medium heat and cook until they are heated through.
