How to Cook Green Beans 9 Ways to Satisfy the Pickiest Eaters

Cooking green beans might take you back to kitchen adventures at your mom's or grandma's hip. But it's time to learn how to cook green beans beyond the basic steamed or boiled versions. (Although those can be great too! Especially added to casseroles and other dishes.) With fresh and modern spice blends and convenient appliances (hat tip to you, air fryer), the best ways to cook green beans can now also be among the best ways to get five-a-day veggie servings that are delicious, stocked with fresh flavor and cooked to the perfect doneness.

How to Prep Green Beans to Cook

The first step in learning how to cook green beans is to wash them and remove the ends and strings. You can leave them whole, cut them into 1-inch pieces, or slice them lengthwise for French-cut beans. To trim green beans, place several beans on a cutting board, lining up the stem ends. Cut off stems using a chef's knife (Crate & Barrel) and, if you like, trim off the pointed tips, too.

Now it's time to get down to cooking green beans! Hope your refrigerator is stocked with plenty because our ideas on how to cook green beans will surely give you lots of culinary inspiration.

How to Cook Green Beans on the Stove

One of the best options for cooking green beans on the stove is to boil them. The key to the best beans is to master the length of time it takes to boil them.

Cook the green beans, covered, in a small amount of boiling salted water until crisp-tender:

• 10 to 15 minutes for whole or cut green beans
• 5 to 10 minutes for french-cut green beans

So, how do you tell when green beans are done? Bite into a bean a minute or two before the end of the suggested time listed above. The bean should give a bit but still have a slight crunch.

How to Cook Green Beans in the Microwave

Microwaved green beans are among the quickest and easiest strategies for cooking green beans.

To do so, place the green beans in a casserole dish with 2 tablespoons of water. Microwave, covered, on 100% power (high) until crisp-tender, stirring once:

• 8 to 12 minutes for whole or cut green beans
• 7 to 10 minutes for French-cut green beans

Get our fresh and healthy Green Bean Salad recipe, which calls for microwaving green beans.

How to Steam Green Beans

Steam isn't just great for taking wrinkles out of clothes or tidying floors.

Place a steamer basket in a large skillet with sides or a saucepan. Add water to just below the bottom of the steamer basket. Bring water to boiling and add green beans. Cook whole, cut, or french-cut green beans, covered, 10 to 18 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Make our steamed Lemony Green Beans and Arugula with your dinner tonight.

How to Blanch Green Beans

Blanched green beans can be incorporated into other recipes, cooked further using another method (such as sautéing), or used to start the freezing process of fresh green beans.

To blanch green beans:

• Bring a large pot of water to boiling. Use 1 gallon of water per pound of green beans.
• Fill a large bowl with ice water.
• Working in batches, carefully lower green beans into the boiling water.
• Boil small beans for 2 minutes, medium beans for 3 minutes, and large beans for 4 minutes.
• Cool the beans quickly by plunging them into the ice water.
• After they have cooled, drain beans.

How to Cook Green Beans in a Pan

Sauté is another method for how to cook green beans on the stove. Some sautéed green bean recipes call for you to blanch them first. To blanch, follow the directions above and continue as directed below.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add beans. Cook the green beans, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through. Season with ½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper. Remove from heat.

Try our Green Bean and Mushroom Skillet to use your sautéeing skills.

How to Cook Green Beans in a Foil Pack

For zero cleanup time, grill green beans in a foil pack, also called a hobo pack.

• Fold a 36x18-inch piece of heavy-duty foil in half to make an 18-inch square.
• Place prepped green beans in the center of foil.
• Season beans as desired and drizzle with oil.
• Bring up opposite edges of foil; seal with a double fold.
• Fold remaining ends to completely enclose beans, leaving space for steam to build.
• Grill directly over medium heat on a covered grill 25 to 30 minutes, turning the packet occasionally.

Add our Grilled Green Beans recipe to your next grilling menu.

How to Cook Green Beans in the Oven

If you like sheet-pan recipes, you'll love mastering how to cook green beans in the oven. This caramelizes the veggies beautifully and makes them more palatable for picky eaters.

To roast green beans:

• Preheat oven to 450°F.
• On a 15x10x1-inch baking pan, toss 1 pound of beans with 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spread out beans in a single layer across the pan.
• Roast 15 to 20 minutes or until beans are beginning to blister and are crisp-tender.

Pair your next homemade entrée with these roasted Green Beans with Bacon.

How to Cook Green Beans in an Air Fryer

For a French fry swap, try air fryer green beans. They offer the same stick shape and crunchy texture, with less fat than their deep-fried potato counterparts.

To make air-fryer green beans:

• Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
• Place green beans in a medium bowl and spray liberally with cooking spray or drizzle with a teaspoon of oil.
• Season as desired (we like 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper or chili powder, and ⅛ teaspoon of salt per 12 ounces of beans).
• Place the seasoned beans in the air-fryer basket. Cook until slightly browned and tender, or about 12 minutes.

Cook your green beans in an air fryer for a lighter version of fried veggies.

How to Cook a Green Bean Casserole

We firmly believe that no holiday menu, from Easter to Thanksgiving or even Christmas, is complete without a green bean casserole. Here's how to take cooking green beans to the next celebration-worthy level with a creamy sauce and crunchy topping.

Step 1: Cook the green beans.

Cook your green beans using one of the methods above. We most often either steam, boil, or microwave the beans. Drain beans well.

Step 2: Combine cooked beans with sauce mixture.

In a large mixing bowl, stir together your sauce mixture. The sauce usually includes condensed cream of mushroom soup, black pepper, cheese, other liquids, and desired spices. Stir in the beans. Transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.

Step 3: Bake the green bean casserole

Sprinkle the top of your casserole with french-fried onions or bread crumbs. Bake in a 350°F oven until the mixture is heated through and the topping is golden.

Now that you're well-versed in several styles for cooking green beans, you'll be ready for any dinner side dish opportunity that awaits. Try Blistered Green Beans with Bacon or Toasted Sesame Green Beans with Teriyaki Glaze. Vegetarian-style Hoisin Glazed Tofu & Green Beans is loaded with protein and flavored with fresh ginger. If you grow your green beans, learn how to freeze them to enjoy your garden's goodness all year.