How to Steam Green Beans

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 20, 2023 Tested

Fresh green beans are best cooked lightly and quickly. Steaming or sautéing these vegetables preserves their nutrients and crispy texture. You can opt to steam them in the traditional way, on the stovetop, or use the microwave to shave a couple of minutes off of your cook time.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Steaming on the Stovetop

1
Prepare the green beans. Rinse the beans first using cool water. Pat them dry, then trim or snap off both of the pointed ends.
2
Pour one to two inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water into a medium sized saucepan. For extra flavor, add a little bit of salt. For a sharper flavor, add a few minced garlic cloves to the water. Depending on how many beans you are steaming, you will only need one to three cloves.^{[1]
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Research source}
- If you do not own a steamer basket, reduce the amount of water to ½ to one inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters).
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3
Place a steamer basket inside the saucepan. The bottom of the steamer basket should not be touching the water. If it touches the water, you have added too much; pour out a little bit of the water. If you do not have a steamer basket, omit this step.
4
Turn the heat up to high and cover the pan. Wait for the water to boil.
5
Add the green beans. Cover the lid and reduce the heat to low so that the water will simmer.
6
Steam the beans for five to seven minutes. After about five minutes, pull one of the beans out and taste it. The beans are ready when they are bright green and somewhat crunchy. If the beans are too hard, then cook them for another one to two minutes.
- If you are planning to stir fry the beans later, cook them for only two minutes.
7
Remove the beans from the pot. If you are using a steamer basket, simply lift the basket out of the pot and shake it over a sink to dislodge any excess water. If you are not using a steamer basket, pour the beans into a strainer over the sink. The strainer will catch the beans and drain the excess water.
8
Dunk the beans into icy water to preserve their bright green color. The beans will continue cooking after you have taken them out, which can lead to a dull color and mushy texture. To keep this from happening, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a few ice cubes to it. Transfer the beans into the icy water. After a few seconds, take them out.
- Try placing the beans into a strainer first. This way, all you have to do is dunk the strainer into the water, then lift it out.
- This process is known as "shocking."
9
Add some flavor before serving. Return the beans to the saucepan. Add your desired seasonings, and stir to evenly distribute. If you are adding butter, wait for the butter to melt; you may have to turn the heat up again. Once the seasoning is evenly distributed, transfer the beans to a serving dish. Here are some combinations to get you started:
- Try salt and butter.^{[2]
  X
  Research source} You can also use garlic salt instead of regular salt for a more intense flavor.
- Try sea salt, dill, and some butter for something more herby.
- Try salt, freshly-ground black pepper, and some butter for something spicier.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Steaming in the Microwave

1
Prepare the green beans. Rinse the beans first using cool water. Pat them dry, then trim or snap off both of the pointed ends.
2
Place the beans in a microwave-safe bowl. The beans should lie completely below the lip of the bowl. You can also use a casserole dish instead.
3
Add about one tablespoon of water. You don't really need much more than that to produce good steam. Green beans already have a lot of water in them, and will produce more water on their own.
- For a richer flavor, add some salt or minced garlic. You will only need one to three cloves, depending on how many beans you are steaming.
4
Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate or lid. If you don't have one, cover the bowl with some plastic wrap instead.
5
Microwave the beans for two to four minutes. Once the time is up, take one of the beans out and see if it is done. It should be bright green and somewhat crunchy. If the bean is still raw, cook the rest of the beans at 30 second increments until they are done.
6
Remove the bowl from the microwave. Carefully take off the lid or plastic wrap. Be careful for any bursts of steam.
7
Dunk the beans into icy water. The beans will keep cooking even after you have finished steaming them. This can lead to a dull color and mushy texture. To prevent this, fill a large bowl with cold water and add a some ice cubes. Put the beans into the icy water, and take them out after a few seconds. This is known as "shocking."
- Try placing the beans into a strainer first. This way, all you have to do is dip the strainer into the water, then take it out.
8
Add some flavor before serving. Place the green beans back into their microwavable bowl, and add your desired seasoning. Stir everything together, then transfer the beans to a serving bowl. If you are using butter, you may have to microwave the beans for a few seconds to help the butter melt. Here are some seasoning ideas to get you started:
- Try salt and butter for a classic flavor. For a stronger flavor, use garlic salt instead of regular salt.
- If you'd like something more mellow, try sea salt, dill, and some butter.
- For a hint of spice, try salt, freshly-ground black pepper, and some butter.
9
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I eat the string beans if I burn the pot and the beans taste a little burnt?

Community Answer

Absolutely. Some people like their green beans a little burnt. You won't get sick or anything, so it's fine.

Warnings

Be careful when pulling lids off. Hot steam may rush up and burn you. Avoid looking directly into the pot when opening it.

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