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5.0 from 15 votes

How to Cook Green Beans - Fresh Green Beans 5 Ways

Here are 5 fail-proof methods to master cooking fresh green beans.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 66 kcal
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 20 ounces (500g) of green beans (french beans, string beans) topped and tailed
Stovetop Method:
  • water
  • salt
Oven Method:
  • olive oil
  • salt
Instant Pot Method:
  • 1 cup chicken stock
Air Fryer Method:
  • low-calorie cooking spray
  • salt
Crockpot Method:
  • 8 lices cooked bacon  cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1/2 cup (118ml) chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon butter or bacon drippings
  • 1 onion sliced and sauteed
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic puree
  • salt to taste
  • red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

Fresh Green Beans on the Stovetop Instructions:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Top and tail the green beans.
  2. Bring a pot of salted water pot of water to the boil, add in the green beans and cook 3-4 mins until they are tender but have a little bite.
  3. Drain the water and plunge the beans into some cold water and drain again before seasoning and serving.
Fresh Green Beans in the Oven Instructions:
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F / Gas 6.
  2. Add the green beans to a lined baking tray, drizzle some oil and some salt, and mix well.
  3. Bake for 20 mins and serve topped with some extra salt, and chopped herbs if you like.
Fresh Green Beans in the Instant Pot Instructions:
  1. Add chicken stock to the Instant Pot insert.
  2. Add the green beans, place the lid on the Instant Pot, and turn the valve to the sealing position.
  3. Set to manual/pressure cook on high pressure for 0 minutes. Then Natural Pressure Release.
  4. Serve topped with some extra salt and chopped herbs, if you like.
Fresh Green Beans in the Air Fryer Instructions:
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400F / 200C.
  2. Add the green beans to a bowl and spray with some low-calorie spray and salt. Mix to combine.
  3. Place the beans into the air fryer basket and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning a couple of times during cooking so that they brown evenly.
  4. Remove and serve topped with some extra salt and chopped herbs, if you like.
Fresh Green Beans in the Crockpot Instructions:
  1. Add all ingredients into the crockpot.
  2. Mix, cover, and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours -3 1/2 hours, without opening the lid.

Notes

  • Refrigerate the green beans in shallow airtight containers or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Cooked green beans will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • If you want to save some time on the day of cooking the fresh green beans, you can top and tail the green beans ahead of time and store them in a container in the refrigerator. 
  • Yes, perfectly cooked green beans should have a vibrant green color. Overcooked green beans will be an olive green color and can become mushy.
  • If you want to freeze green beans I suggest freezing them raw before cooking.
  • Fresh green beans are a ZERO SmartPoints food if prepared without any oil or butter.
  • season with a combination of basil, oregano, parsley and thyme, and lemon juice
  • finish your green beans with garlic and shaved parmesan
  • season with a generous portion of chopped bacon and butter
  • Salmon Croquettes.
  • Smothered Pork Chops.
  • Buttermilk Gravy.
  • Instant Pot Whole Chicken.
  • Air Fryer Cornish Hen.
  • Air Fryer Fried Chicken.

Nutrition Information

Serving 4servings Calories 66kcal (3%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Cholesterol 2mg (1%) Sodium 94mg (4%) Potassium 362mg (10%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 978IU (20%) Vitamin C 17mg (19%) Calcium 52mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 66

% Daily Value*

Serving 4servings
Calories 66kcal 3%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 2mg 1%
Sodium 94mg 4%
Potassium 362mg 8%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 978IU 20%
Vitamin C 17mg 19%
Calcium 52mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

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

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