The best green beans ever are totally simple and totally delicious! It’s one of those classic side dishes that we all grew up with. Preparing and cooking green beans could be considered an art form: when you do it right, you’ll get perfectly crispy-tender results, and you’ll never end up with overcooked green beans again! Best of all, this dish is prepped and ready in about 20 minutes. Whether you serve them up for a large gathering or for a simple weeknight meal, this is by far the best way to cook green beans!

Get your five-a-day with the best green beans ever! They’re crisp yet tender and feature a vibrant green color. Follow our simple recipe and they’re sure to become a staple in your house!

Green Bean Options:

Did you know that there are over 100 different varieties of green beans out there? You can prepare the best green beans ever with any of them! Here are some of the most common:

  • String beans
  • Snap beans
  • French green beans
  • Romano beans
  • Long beans

This recipe works best with fresh green beans, but you can also use frozen in a pinch. 

Snapping and Trimming

Fresh green beans need to be rinsed and then the ends need to be trimmed. You can use your hands to snap off the very end of each side or use a knife to trim. Long green beans may need to be snapped in half for easier eating. The best way to cook green beans starts with properly prepared vegetables!

Steaming Options

You can find 4 different ways to prepare the best green beans ever on the recipe card below. They all involve steaming which is, in our opinion, the only way to make them! Here are your options for steaming:

  • Steamer: There is a specialized kitchen appliance you can buy called a steamer. It has a base, a steaming basket, and a lid.
  • Makeshift steamer: A makeshift steamer can be made using a pot, a colander, and a lid that at least somewhat fits.
  • Pan: The pan method isn’t perfect, but it does work. Pick a saucepan that is big enough to fit all your veggies in it.
  • Microwave: Make sure you use a microwave-safe bowl.

Head to your kitchen to see what equipment you have on hand, and follow the instructions accordingly! 

Storage and Reheating Instructions:

You can store any leftover green beans in an airtight container in the fridge where they will keep for 3 to 4 days. To reheat, place them in the microwave and heat in increments of 30 seconds until warmed through. You can also reheat on the stovetop if you’d like. Place a bit of butter or olive oil in a saucepan or skillet (so that the veggies don’t stick) over medium heat and cook until they are warmed through.

If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious side dish recipes:

More green veggie side dishes…

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.