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5.0 from 6 votes

How To Boil Green Beans Recipe

Learn how to boil and blanch green beans to use in recipes or to freeze them for later. With my foolproof method, you can have perfectly boiled and ready you eat fresh green beans in less than 15 minutes from start to finish.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Blanching Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 1 pound
Calories: 141 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Vegan

Ingredients

  • 1 pound fresh green beans*
  • 3 quarts water (12 cups)
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt*

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To prepare the fresh green beans for boiling, pick through them and discard any that are discolored or bruised.
  2. To trim green beans quickly, line up 5-7 green beans so that the stem ends are even. This way you can easily cut off the stems with one quick swipe of the knife. Depending on the recipe you are planning to use, you can leave them as a whole or cut them in the middle if you want smaller pieces.
  3. Place water and salt in a large pot over medium-high heat. Bring it to a boil.
  4. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and water. Set it aside.
  5. Carefully add the green beans into the boiling water. Cook until crisp and tender, 5-7 minutes.
  6. Using a slotted spoon or a spider strainer, transfer the green beans into the ice water. Let them cool to room temperature completely for about 5 minutes. Drain.
  7. If you are planning to use them in a recipe right away, you can place them on a baking sheet lined with a few sheets of paper towels to try them off.

Notes

  • : Like pasta, salt is crucial to giving green beans flavor while cooking. To check if you’ve put enough salt in your water, taste it. It should be about as salty as seawater.
  • : Always check to ensure your green beans are done to your liking before draining their water. I listed 5 minutes of boiling time as I like my green beans to be on the crunchier side but the timing can be adjusted easily by boiling them longer or shorter depending on your preference.
  • : Once you blanch green beans, they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. Just dry off the green beans completely before storing them in an airtight container.
  • : Once you dry off your green beans, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • : Dry off your green beans and let them reach room temperature. Then, put them in an airtight container, trying to remove as much air as possible. Note, though, that your green beans may come out softer and more watery after being thawed and reheated. To maintain as much crispness as possible, I recommend slightly reducing your fresh string beans’ cooking time if you plan on freezing them.
  • This recipe uses regular fresh green beans. If you are using French Green Beans, please know that you can use the same method but they cook quicker.
  • Salt your water: Like pasta, salt is crucial to giving green beans flavor while cooking. To check if you’ve put enough salt in your water, taste it. It should be about as salty as seawater.
  • Check your green beans: Always check to ensure your green beans are done to your liking before draining their water. I listed 5 minutes of boiling time as I like my green beans to be on the crunchier side but the timing can be adjusted easily by boiling them longer or shorter depending on your preference.
  • Make ahead: Once you blanch green beans, they’ll stay fresh for up to 2 days. Just dry off the green beans completely before storing them in an airtight container.
  • Storage: Once you dry off your green beans, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
  • To freeze: Dry off your green beans and let them reach room temperature. Then, put them in an airtight container, trying to remove as much air as possible. Note, though, that your green beans may come out softer and more watery after being thawed and reheated. To maintain as much crispness as possible, I recommend slightly reducing your fresh string beans’ cooking time if you plan on freezing them.

Nutrition Information

Calories 141kcal (7%) Carbohydrates 32g (11%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 1g Sodium 169mg (7%) Potassium 957mg (27%) Fiber 12g (48%) Sugar 15g (30%) Vitamin A 3130IU (63%) Vitamin C 55mg (61%) Calcium 253mg (25%) Iron 5mg (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1pound

Amount Per Serving

Calories 141

% Daily Value*

Calories 141kcal 7%
Carbohydrates 32g 11%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 169mg 7%
Potassium 957mg 20%
Fiber 12g 48%
Sugar 15g 30%
Vitamin A 3130IU 63%
Vitamin C 55mg 61%
Calcium 253mg 25%
Iron 5mg 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.