3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans

Steamed Green Beans in the microwave are so easy and only take minutes to make. Perfect when paired with rich heavy meals and leftovers are always put to good use! It's the easiest way to cook them!

Next time for a great side dish, be sure and try this collard greens recipe!

Why you'll love this recipe 

Steamed vegetables in the microwave is such a simple way to prepare them for healthy eating. You'll love this because they only take 10 minutes to make!

✔️ This is an easy recipe, only 10 minutes to make. It's my favorite way to steam fresh green beans.

✔️ Quick and easy side dish that goes with most any meal.

✔️ Bright, fresh, crunchy veggies every time!

Another reason you'll love it is the simple seasoning. Just a touch of butter and soy sauce and you're set!

Ingredients

• fresh green beans or haricot verts, you'll love these fresh veggies!
• season with soy sauce or fresh cracked black pepper
• butter

Microwave instructions

1. Snap beans, removing the stem end of the green bean, no need to remove the ends of the green beans unless you want to.
2. Cut them into bite sized pieces. 
3. Rinse them well and place them in a microwave dish.
4. Add a small amount of water - about two tablespoons of water to the dish—and microwave on high for four to five minutes.
5. Remove from the microwave and sprinkle with a teaspoon of soy sauce or a pinch of salt and add a tablespoon of butter, letting it melt over the top. 
6. Mix well and serve!

Stovetop instructions

1. Trim green beans, no need to remove the ends/tails.
2. Cut them into bite sized pieces and rinse them well
3. Fill a Dutch oven or large skillet with one-inch of water. You only need enough water to bring for a boil, do not cover the beans. You want them to steam, not boil.
4. Fit with a steam basket.
5. Add the fresh beans to the basket, cover with a lid and place over medium-high heat.
6. Steam beans for 7 minutes.
7. Remove from heat, drain and sprinkle with a teaspoon of soy sauce and add a tablespoon of melted butter.
8. Mix well, transfer beans to a serving dish and serve!

Either method is the best way, it's what works best for you!

Equipment

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• This size dish is perfect for the microwave and pretty enough to put on the dinner table.
• If you need a steaming basket, this is the one I use.

FAQ's

That's it - perfect and delicious every time! We love green beans, they are great for a cookout or the holidays too because you're not taking up valuable oven-space.

Tips

• Don't overcook the green beans. They shouldn't be drab or limp, but have a crunchy texture. Perfectly steamed vegetables are bright green and crisp!
• After cooking, keep the lid on the casserole dish. The vegetables will stay warm for several minutes.
• It's better to steam than boil this vegetable. Boiling often results in overcooked green beans.
• A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the top before serving makes them taste that much better!
• Visit the farmer's market and grab some fresh veggie!

Variations

Looking for something more? Here's a few more flavor combinations to enjoy!

• Freshly squeezed lemon.
• Olive oil, kosher salt and pepper.
• minced fresh herbs - adds a ton of flavor without a lot of work!
• A sprinkle of your favorite seasoning, like lemon pepper salt.
• toss them with a pinch of red pepper flakes to add a bit of heat!

No matter how you top them green beans are great side dish. They compliment and balance when serving with rich heavy foods or great side when you're grilling as well.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container. Or in a dish covered with plastic wrap. They will last in the refrigerator 3-4 days.

Related recipes

Looking for more easy vegetable recipes? My all-time favorite veggie on the blog is Pan Roasted Vegetables. Made on the stovetop, they are simple and delicious!

• This recipe for Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon is super popular and so tasty!
• Roasted Butternut Squash and Brussels Sprouts for a superstar side dish!
• You can't talk green beans without enjoying Classic Green Bean Casserole or Green Beans Almondine. Both are loaded with great crunch!
• Broccoli Casserole Recipe - this delicious side dish is a family favorite perfect for holidays and Sunday supper!
• Learn how long to steam brussel sprouts and all the info you need for cleaning and storing too.
• Follow this recipe for step by step directions how to cook Swiss chard and it will be a new favorite!
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cobb - so simple! Two minutes in the pressure cooker for corn perfection. I make this all the time.

Serving with

This easy steamed green beans recipe goes great with your main dish or casseroles because they are so quick to make!

• Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole - it's one of the most popular recipes on the blog!
• Perfect with the Ultimate Chicken Casserole. It's the best combination!
• Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole - it's easy to make and cheesy with a wonderful crispy topping, this casserole is delicious!
• Ground Beef Noodle Casserole - Beefy, cheesy and delicious this casserole is terrific and so rich. The Steamed Green Beans Recipe would be the BEST side dish with any of these recipes!

What's your favorite side dish? Comment below, I'd love to hear from you! Don't forget if you make this, please snap a picture and tag me on Instagram!!

5 from 4 votes

3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans

10 minutes from start to finish with this simple side dish! This is the simplest way to cook green beans.

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Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Vegetables and Side Dishes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Calories: 96kcal

Author: Deb Clark

Cost: $5

Equipment

• ▢
  Microwave Steamer Basket

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 pounds fresh green beans
• ▢ 2 tablespoons water
• ▢ 1 teaspoon soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tablespoon of butter or more!
• ▢ fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

• Snapping off the stems of the green beans. The tails you can leave on, no need to remove them. Cut them into 2 inch (bite sized) pieces. Rinse them well and place them in a microwave dish.
• Add two tablespoons of water to the dish and microwave on high for four to five minutes. The exact time will depend on your microwave - check after 3 minutes and adjust the microwave time.
• Remove from the microwave and sprinkle with a teaspoon of soy sauce and add a tablespoon of butter, letting it melt over the top. Top with a grind of fresh ground black pepper. Toss well and serve.
• That's it - perfect and delicious every time! This is a great dish for the holidays too because you're not taking up valuable oven-space and if you keep the lid on the casserole dish the beans will stay warm until it's time to serve.

Notes

Steaming Green Beans 3 Ways

Stovetop - Add water to the bottom of a pan. Make tin foil balls and put a plate on top, adding the beans to a plate and steaming until crisp.
Oven or Grill - Wrap the beans in foil, add a bit of butter and a couple tablespoons of water to the packet and seal completely. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes until crisp tender.
Microwave - the easiest method!

Best tip - don't overcook the beans. They should be bright and crunchy!

To dress these up for your holiday meal, finish with fresh lemon zest and freshly grated parmesan cheese and a handful of toasted almonds.

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Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 122mg | Potassium: 478mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1650IU | Vitamin C: 27.6mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Recipe backstory

I want to share with you another great recipe from my amazing friend Michelle, she is a marvelous cook!

Over the years, one of the (many!) things I've learned from Michelle is the simplicity of a perfect dish. Sliced tomatoes, roasted carrots or sautéed Brussels sprouts, ingredients don't have to be fancy, simple is often best!

Green beans are readily available year-round. In the summer at the farmers market, in the bin at the grocery store or you can even purchase bags of pre-cleaned beans. Whatever works for you is the best choice.

Steaming green beans is a great way to cook them and can be done in the microwave or stovetop! It's perfect for the summer months when vegetables are so readily available and you're working towards a healthier lifestyle!