Green beans are a popular vegetable that is a favorite in many households. For starters, their flavor is mild yet appealing. They are even easy finger foods for the smallest toddlers. Green beans are also very versatile. This means they pair well with various ingredients and can be added to numerous dishes. These include salads, casseroles, and skillet dinners. While green beans have many perks, they can sometimes be tricky to cook. Knowing the best cooking methods to quickly cook green beans can make dinnertime a breeze. This article will explore the many ways to cook green beans perfectly!
Green beans offer plenty of nutrients that we need daily. They are also easy to eat and digest after cooking. The low-calorie count and carbs mean they are perfect for those who may be on a health journey. There are many ways to buy green beans, including fresh, canned, and frozen. For the purpose of this article, we will be taking a look at fresh green beans. However, if you do not have fresh green beans on hand, simply adjust your recipe and method accordingly.
The Flavor of Green Beans
The flavor of green beans is mild. However, when tender or crispy, they can give a fresh taste. Green beans pair great with tangy flavors like garlic, thyme, oregano, and basil.
Since green beans are mild in flavor, their versatility shines through. At the end of this article, glance at several delicious ingredients to add to your green beans for a burst of flavor. There are also additional recipes if you need more ideas!
Now, let's look at the multiple ways to cook green beans perfectly. There are several ways to cook green beans. They can be microwaved, boiled, steamed, roasted, and sauteed. This article takes a look at three of the more popular methods. These are boiling, roasting, and sauteeing.
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How to Cook Green Beans Perfectly By Boiling
Boiling green beans is one of the more popular ways to cook this vegetable. One of the most frequent questions is how long should we boil them. The answer is, well, it depends on how crispy you want your green beans. This method will produce a crispy and tender green bean that can be seasoned to your liking!
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans that have been trimmed
- Four quarts of water
- Salt and pepper
- Butter
Tools
- Stovetop
- Saucepan
Instructions
The first step is to bring four quarts of water to a boil.
During this time, wash your green beans and make sure they are trimmed.
After the water reaches a boil, add the green beans. For firmer green beans, boil for three to five minutes.
The more tender you want your green beans, the longer you need to boil them. Once the desired tenderness has been reached, test with a fork. Remove from heat.
Drain the water and add your green beans to a bowl. Add melted butter and seasoning to green beans.
Serve and enjoy while hot!
How to Cook Green Beans Perfectly By Roasting
Roasted green beans give a crunchy yet delicate texture and flavor. If you prefer the taste of roasted green beans, here is how to roast them perfectly!
Ingredients
- Fresh green beans
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
- Any additional seasoning that you prefer
Tools
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Foil
Instructions
First, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
While waiting for the oven to heat up, prep your baking sheet by adding foil. This is not necessary. However, it will make cleaning up easier.
Add the green beans to a bowl. Mix the olive oil or butter with the seasoning in a separate bowl.
Coat the green beans with the olive oil mixture. Make sure green beans are coated evenly.
Next, place the green beans on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
Place in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. You will know the green beans are done with a fork test and when they start to brown.
Serve while hot.
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How to Cook Green Beans Perfectly On the Skillet
Another tasty method of cooking green beans includes sauteeing them in the skillet. This easy and quick way will have you putting your green beans on the dinner table in a flash.
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Fresh green beans
- Seasoning of choice: some great additions are onion salt, minced garlic, black pepper, and salt.
Tools
- Stovetop
- Pan frying skillet
- A spatula
Instructions
First, prep the green beans by washing and de-stringing. Then, cut the tips off the green beans.
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in the skillet.
Coat the green beans with your preferred seasoning.
Add the green beans to the skillet and cook for ten minutes. Be sure to stir continuously.
Check the green beans with a fork test to assess the tenderness. The more tender you would like your green beans, the longer the cooking time will be.
When the green beans are as tender as you would like, remove them from the heat and serve while hot!
Delicious Options to Add to Your Green Beans
Green beans are very versatile. They are healthy as well. Both of these characteristics make them a terrific addition to any meal. If you are looking for enjoyable methods to play around with flavor when cooking green beans, here are additional flavors to try!
- Cook in broth or stock
- Butter
- Minced garlic
- Lemon-pepper
- Bacon
- Onions
- shallots
- Rosemary
- Parsley
- Sage
- Thyme
- Black peppercorns
- Dried chiles
- Bay leaves
- Carrots
- Spinach
- Chives
- Mushroom broth
- Mushrooms
- Cumin
- Basil
- Olive oil
Notes
- Green beans are a versatile vegetable that many people enjoy.
- There are a variety of ways to cook green beans. These include boiling, baking, and sauteing.
- Green beans are great for your heart! This is because they do not have cholesterol.
- Green beans contain fiber.
- Did you know green beans also have protein?
- They also contain vitamin C, Vitamin A, calcium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and iron.
- Green beans are of the species Phaseolus vulgaris.
Tasty Ways to Eat Green Beans
- Simple Green Beans and Peacan Salad You'll Love: Combine green beans and pecans in this delicious salad!
- Summer Green Beans and Potatoes Recipe: Green beans and potatoes are a staple that go together. This summer recipe pulls them together for a unique and filling recipe.
- Roasted Green Beans Recipe: Roasting green beans has never been tastier!
- Holiday Green Bean and Bacon Recipe: Green beans are a great addition to the holiday meal. Try something new with this holiday green bean and bacon recipe.
- Delicious French Quarter Green Beans: French Quarter green beans are tasty and filling.
- Chicken Green Bean and Rice Skillet Dinner: You do not need any additional side dishes with this recipe! Enjoy the chicken, green beans, and rice all in one.
- Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Casseroles are great for holidays or simply for a weeknight dinner.
- Ham and Green Bean Bake: If green beans go with anything, it is definitely ham!
- Easy and Delicious Green Bean Casserole Recipe: Another green bean recipe makes side dishes easy and tasty.
- The Best Healthy Sauteed Green Bean Recipe: Looking for a healthy green bean recipe? Try this one!
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