Silvia
Steamed green beans are a simple, light side dish that pairs perfectly with a wide variety of meals.
Thanks to this cooking method, they retain a pleasant texture and a delicate flavor without the need for many seasonings.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to steam green beans, how long they take to cook, how to tell when they’re done, and plenty of tips for serving them or using them in your recipes.
Steamed Green Beans: How to Season Them
Steamed green beans have a delicate flavor that pairs well with many different seasonings. For a simple version, just add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt to enhance their flavor without overpowering it.
If you’d like a more aromatic side dish, you can season them with lemon juice, chopped parsley, or any other herbs you prefer. A light sprinkle of black pepper or chili flakes can also add an extra touch of flavor.
Steamed green beans also work well as a base for more substantial dishes. For example, you can combine them with broccoli to create a light, colorful, and easy-to-make side dish. If you’d like to try it, keep reading: you’ll find the complete recipe below.
Steamed Green Beans: Ingredients
Serves 2:
- 400 g green beans
- 200 g broccoli
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Water
- Lemon (optional).
Steamed Green Beans: Preparation
I used frozen green beans and broccoli, so they were already cleaned and ready to use. If you’re using fresh vegetables, wash and trim them first.
To steam vegetables, I like using an electric steamer because I can simply turn it on and let it do the work while I take care of other things. It’s incredibly convenient! If you don’t have one, you can read my guide on how to steam vegetables without a steamer.
Place the green beans in one steamer basket and the broccoli in the other so they have enough space to cook properly.
Turn on the steamer and set the timer for 1 hour. Once the cooking time is over, wait for the temperature to drop because the steam will be extremely hot and could burn you.
In the meantime, you can prepare some delicious lemon spaghetti to serve with the vegetables. I personally consider green beans a main dish and broccoli a side dish, so adding a plate of pasta gives you a complete meal.
Once the green beans and broccoli have cooled, transfer them to two separate bowls.
Dress with a drizzle of olive oil and 6 small pinches of salt.
If you’d like, add a squeeze of lemon.
And your dish is ready!
Cooking Time
The cooking time for steamed green beans can vary depending on their size, whether they’re fresh or frozen, and the texture you prefer.
Green beans are ready when they’re tender but still slightly firm. You can check them with a fork: it should go in easily without causing the green bean to fall apart.
In my recipe, I used frozen green beans together with broccoli and cooked them in an electric steamer for about 1 hour. If you’re using a different appliance, always check the manufacturer’s instructions, as cooking times and power levels may vary.
If you’re steaming only the green beans without any other vegetables, you can simply check their texture during cooking and stop when they’ve reached your preferred consistency.
Steamed Green Beans Without a Steamer
You don’t need an electric steamer to make steamed green beans. You can use a pot with a steaming basket, making sure that the water underneath doesn’t come into direct contact with the vegetables.
Bring the water to a boil, place the green beans in the steaming basket, and cover the pot with a lid. During cooking, make sure there’s always enough water in the pot.
If you’d like to learn about other methods, you can read my guide on how to steam vegetables without a steamer, where you’ll find all the information you need.
Steamed Green Beans in the Microwave
Green beans can also be cooked in the microwave using a microwave-safe container and a small amount of water.
Cooking times may vary depending on the microwave’s power, the amount of green beans, and whether they’re fresh or frozen. For this reason, it’s best to cook them in short intervals and check their texture regularly.
Once they’re ready, you can simply season them with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and, if you like, a few drops of lemon juice.
Steamed Green Beans in a Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker is another great way to cook green beans using steam while significantly reducing the cooking time compared to other methods.
In this case, it’s especially important to follow the recommended water levels and cooking times for your specific pressure cooker, as overcooking may cause the green beans to become too soft.
If you prefer a firmer texture, check your pressure cooker’s instructions and follow the recommended cooking times for vegetables.
Steamed Green Beans or Boiled Green Beans?
Both steaming and boiling are simple ways to cook green beans, but the cooking methods are different.
To make boiled green beans, simply place them directly into boiling water and drain them once they’re cooked. With steaming, on the other hand, the green beans don’t come into direct contact with the water.
The best method ultimately depends on what you find more convenient and the result you’re looking for. Personally, I enjoy using an electric steamer because I can set the timer and focus on preparing the rest of the meal while the vegetables cook.
Steamed Potatoes and Green Beans
Another simple combination is steamed potatoes and green beans.
If you’re using a steamer with multiple baskets, you can cook both vegetables at the same time. Just keep in mind that they may require different cooking times. Cutting the potatoes into pieces of a similar size will help them cook more evenly.
Once they’re ready, you can season the potatoes and green beans with extra virgin olive oil, salt, lemon juice, or your favorite herbs.
Nutritional Benefits of Green Beans
Green beans belong to the legume family, but from a nutritional perspective, they have more in common with vegetables than with dried legumes such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans.
They’re made up mostly of water and are naturally low in calories.
Green Beans: Calories
Green beans are a low-calorie food. A 100-gram serving of cooked green beans contains approximately 30–35 calories, although the exact value may vary slightly.
It’s worth remembering, however, that the total number of calories in the dish also depends on the seasonings you use. For example, extra virgin olive oil will increase the overall calorie content.
More Vegetables to Steam
The same cooking method can be used to prepare many other vegetables. In my case, as you’ve seen, I cooked green beans and broccoli at the same time using the two baskets of my steamer.
If you enjoy this cooking method, I also recommend checking out my recipe for steamed Swiss chard, another simple dish that works perfectly as a side and can be seasoned however you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do green beans take to steam?
The cooking time depends on the size of the green beans, whether they’re fresh or frozen, and the cooking method you’re using. The easiest way to check if they’re done is to pierce them with a fork. They should be tender without falling apart.
Can frozen green beans be steamed?
Yes. In the recipe featured in this article, I used frozen green beans because they’re especially convenient since they’re already cleaned and ready to cook.
How should I season steamed green beans?
You can simply season them with extra virgin olive oil and salt, or add lemon juice, black pepper, chili flakes, parsley, or other herbs.
Can I cook green beans together with other vegetables?
Yes. If you have a steamer with multiple baskets, you can cook different vegetables at the same time, keeping in mind that they may require different cooking times. In my recipe, I paired green beans with broccoli.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to prepare steamed green beans, you can use this cooking method whenever you want to serve a simple and versatile dish.
You can season them with just olive oil and salt, add a little lemon juice, or combine them with other vegetables, just as I did with broccoli. And thanks to the steamer, you can focus on preparing the rest of the meal while the vegetables cook, making it easier to organize everything.
