How to Make Simply Fresh Steamed Green Beans

We try to eat fruits and vegetables fresh and, in their season, as much as possible, but steamed green beans is one of our favorite veggie dishes.

Growing up, I actually didn’t like fresh green beans.

Now I can’t get enough of them.

Maybe because they’re so easy to make; maybe because they’re so many possibilities of ingredient combinations and ways to cook them.

Benefits

They’re definitely good for you with beneficial nutrients including:

• Vitamin A
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• B Vitamins
• Magnesium

Since you get better access to nutrients when fruits and vegetables are picked when ready, try to grow your own or get locally grown whenever possible.

Green beans are actually not too difficult to grow. As gardeners still developing our gardening skills, we’ve actually had pretty decent harvests, and our green bean plants have almost always produced.

But if you’re not really want to grow your own, definitely consider checking out local resources, and don’t miss my farmers markets post for helpful information about possible fresh resources near you.

How to Prepare

I always like to drop the green beans in a colander and give them a good wash, and then I snip off the stem tip and any other areas that don’t look so great. After that, it’s all about how long the beans are and what I’m cooking them for. They’re a bit more evenly cooked when cut into equal sizes. So if I’m going to cut them, its usually to roughly 1-inch lengths to make for a easy bite sized bean.

How to Cook

After that, I just return them to my steamer and then sit my steamer on top of my pot where I’ve already added 1-2 cups of water, put the lid on and wait.

After roughly 5 minutes, I check my green beans looking to see if they have reached a brighter green color and the slightly firm but no longer hard texture. If:

• no but almost, I put the lid back on but turn off the heat and wait 1-2 more minutes
• no and not close, I put the lid back on, continue the heat, and wait 3-5 more minutes while still checking
• yes, I remove them from the pan immediately, transfer to a serving bowl or mix into the already cooked dish they are to be a part of

Then its time to serve up and enjoy the delicious meal.

Print

Simply Fresh Steamed Green Beans

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

15 mins

 

Such a simple and tasty side dish that goes with just about anything.

Course: Side Dish

Author: Elaine Watkins | Food and Living Coach

Ingredients

• 1 Pound Fresh Green Beans (snip off stem ends and any problem areas)
• 1 Cup Water (for steaming)

Optional

• 1 Green Onion (ends removed; slice the rest) or
• 1/8 Cup Onion (sliced thin or diced)
• 1/8 Cup Red Pepper (sliced small and thin or diced)
• 1-2 Cloves Garlic (skin and scar removed; mince)
• 1/8 Cup Broth or water (for sauteeing garlic, and/or additional vegetables)
• 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil (for oil sauteeing if preferred)
• Salt and Pepper (to preferred taste)

Instructions

1. Prepare beans and place in steamer tray.

2. Pour water or broth into pot, place steamer tray and then lid on top, and bring to a boil.

3. Boil for approximately 5 minutes, and then turn off heat. Remove lid to check tenderness and color. If needed, replace lid and allow to continue to steam, continuing to check, until your preferred tenderness is reached.

4. Lift out the steamer tray to dump out the water or broth from bottom pot.

5. Heat a separate skillet (or reuse the now empty steam pot) to a medium heat, and add chosen additional ingredients (onions, then peppers, then minced garlic) and saute either dry, with added broth or water, or added oil for 2-3 minutes or until to preferred tenderness. 

6. Move gently tossed beans and additional ingredients to chosen dish and serve.

Recipe Notes

1. If you prefer, use 1/2 Tablespoon of garlic powder instead of fresh, minced garlic.
2. If water or dry sauteeing, be sure to add onions and/or peppers to a hot pan to avoid sticking.
3. I prefer using Redmond Real Salt (Fine).
4. If oil sauteeing, look for clean, local olive oil sources or Bragg's organic Olive Oil.

Variations

There are oh so many possibilities for steamed green beans. We’ve regularly enjoyed them:

• tossed with garlic lightly sauteed in vegetable broth
• topped with lightly seasoned and roasted or sliced almonds tossed in
• tossed with just a little coconut aminos
• adding to a flavorful power bowl

What I Use

I thought I’d bring everything that I use into one place for your quick reference:

• Cuisinart pot steamer insert that I’ve had for years
• Cuisinart pot and steamer insert
• Garlic press similar to my oldie but rated better
• Redmond Real Salt

Every Step You Take

Every step you take towards health is a success, whether you are:

• shifting from canned to fresh beans
• adding more fruits and vegetables to your daily meals
• choosing preparation options that preserve your food nutrients as much as possible
• adding more colors to your meals through fresh fruits and vegetables

Meal Planning Ideas

Green beans can be an easy ingredient to add to your power bowls or stir fry or as a side dish.

So many possibilities for this easy recipe.

Will fresh green beans be part of a meal in your home this week? If so, consider these other recipes to go with them: