Nearly all of my fresh green bean recipes begin with blanching the beans. If you ask me, everyone should learn this method for how to cook green beans. It’s quick and easy, and it yields beans that are vibrant, crisp-tender, and not at all mushy. They’re perfect for serving as a side dish or adding to salads and sandwiches. Heck, they even make a great green bean casserole!
Below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to how to cook fresh green beans, as well as my favorite green bean recipes. They include ideas for Thanksgiving, summer picnics, and dinners all year round. I hope you find something you love!
Fresh green beans do not need to be soaked. To help tenderize the beans, blanch them in a large pot of salted water.
More Fresh Green Bean Recipes
Try making one of these fresh green bean recipes next:
How to Cook Fresh Green Beans
My method for how to cook green beans is super simple! Here’s how it goes:
First, wash and trim the beans. Rinse them in a colander under cool running water, and snap off the stems. While you work, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Set a large bowl of ice water nearby.
Next, blanch the beans. When the water is boiling, drop the trimmed beans into the pot. Cook for 2 minutes, until crisp-tender and vibrant green.
Then, chill! Immediately transfer the blanched beans to the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let them chill for at least 15 seconds; you want them to cool completely.
Finally, drain the beans, and spread them on a kitchen towel or paper towels to dry.
That’s it! The string beans are ready to eat.
In the summer and early fall, when fresh green beans are at their best, I often serve them on their own as a side dish. Then, I toss the blanched beans with olive oil, lemon juice and zest, garlic, and salt to pep up their flavor.
Serve them just like that, or dress them up more with toasted almonds or pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or thyme.
For an easy, delicious side dish, toss the blanched beans with salted butter and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Add even more depth of flavor by using this garlic butter or an herb compound butter!
You can also use the blanched vegetables as a starting point for larger green bean recipes such as these:
As you can see, learning how to cook fresh green beans by blanching them will set you up for making all kinds of delicious recipes. Let me know which ones you try!
How to Cook Green Beans Like a Pro
FAQ
Do fresh green beans need to be soaked before cooking?
Do green beans need to be prepped?
Do you have to blanch fresh green beans before cooking?
Should green beans be soaked before cooking?
There’s no need to trim the tender shoot on the other end. Should I Soak Green Beans Before Cooking? Fresh green beans do not need to be soaked. To help tenderize the beans, blanch them in a large pot of salted water. Sautéing green beans is a quick and easy way to pull together a side dish or lay the foundation for a stir-fry.
What is the best way to eat beans?
The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.
How do you clean green beans?
Wash the beans: Start by rinsing your green beans under cold water. This removes any dirt or debris from the surface. Trim the ends: Snip off the stem ends (the tips) and discard them. You can leave the tails on if you like.
Can You boil green beans before cooking?
Blanching green beans is a popular method for a quick, pre-cook before adding them to your main dish. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add the prepared green beans, and let them cook for about 2-3 minutes. They should be crisp-tender and bright green. Immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.