Instant Pot Green Beans
User Reviews
5
Instant Pot Green Beans
Description
This recipe places fresh green beans on a steamer basket over ½ cup cold water inside an Instant Pot, then pressure cooks at low pressure for zero to two minutes, depending on desired crunchiness. The unique 0-minute setting relies on the time taken to build pressure for gentle cooking. Quick pressure release immediately halts cooking to keep beans crisp.
For serving, beans can be simply seasoned with salt and pepper or sautéed with peanut or olive oil and minced garlic in the Instant Pot's sauté function. Optional fish sauce can be added to introduce a mild umami and salty richness without fishiness when used sparingly.
The result is bright green, tender green beans that maintain some bite and can be served as a side dish or incorporated into stir-fries.
Fresh quality beans with no brown spots and firm texture improve the outcome. Cold water is essential for the steam process since cooking time is very short. The fish sauce recommendation highlights specific brands known for good flavor balance.
Ingredients
- ½ pound (227g) green beans
- ½ cup (125ml) water cold tap
Optional Stir Frying Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) peanut oil or olive oil
- 4 (16g) garlic minced, cloves
- salt season with
- fish sauce season with
Instructions
- Pressure Cook Green Beans: Pour ½ cup (125ml) cold water in Instant Pot. Place steamer basket in Instant Pot. Put green beans on steamer basket. With Venting Knob in Venting Position, close the lid, then turn Venting Knob to Sealing Position. Pressure Cook at Low Pressure for 0 (zero) [crunchy] to 2 minutes [tender], then Quick Release. Once the Floating Valve drops, remove the lid immediately.
- Serve Steam Green Beans: Drain water, then set aside green beans to air dry. Option 1 - Steam Green Beans: If you're serving at this step, season with salt and black pepper. Then enjoy~Option 2 - Sauteed Green Beans: If you're proceeding with the optional stir-frying step, don't season the green beans at this step, and proceed to Step 3 below.
- Optional - Sauté Garlic & Green Beans: Remove the hot water and towel dry the inner pot. Press “Saute” button to “Sauté More” function to heat up your Instant Pot. Wait until it says “HOT” on the screen.Add 1 tbsp (15ml) peanut oil or olive oil in the pot. Ensure to coat the oil over the whole bottom of the pot. Add in minced garlic, sauté for roughly 30 seconds. Don't let the garlic burn. Add in air-dried green beans, then saute for 30 seconds. Season with ~1.5 tsp to 2 tsp fish sauce and fine sea salt to taste. Saute for another 30 seconds. Amy + Jacky's Tips: The garlic should be golden brown at this point and very flavorful.
- Serve Sauteed Green Beans: Serve the flavorful crunchy sauteed green beans with garlic immediately! Enjoy~
Notes
- Use ½ cup cold water for steaming to ensure proper pressure cooking.
- Select fresh green beans that are bright green, firm, and free of brown spots for best texture.
- The 0-minute low-pressure setting uses pressure build-up time to cook beans just right.
- Perform a quick release immediately after cooking to avoid overcooking.
- Optional fish sauce adds umami flavor without making beans taste fishy; recommended brands are Red Boat 40N or Three Crabs.
- After pressure cooking, beans can be drained and air-dried before optional sautéing with garlic and oil for additional flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 35 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 35kcal | 2% |
| Carbohydrates | 8g | 3% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 0.3g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 0.01g | 0% |
| Sodium | 7mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 239mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 783IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 14mg | 16% |
| Calcium | 42mg | 4% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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