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Home » Recipes » Christmas Day Recipes

3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans

Published: Nov 12, 2023 · Modified: Nov 19, 2023 by Debra Clark · 21 Comments

Jump to Recipe

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!

Microwave steamed green beans on white platter with serving fork.
Bright, crunchy and freshly steamed green beans.
Jump to:
  • Why you'll love this recipe 
  • Ingredients
  • Microwave instructions
  • Stovetop instructions
  • Equipment
  • FAQ's
  • Tips
  • Variations
  • Storage
  • Related recipes
  • Serving with
  • 3 Ingredient Steamed Green Beans
  • Recipe backstory

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

Green beans being cleaned and prepped to cook. With print overlay.
You'll want to snap the stems off to prepare them for cooking.
  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

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

  • 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

How long does it take to cook fresh string beans?

In the microwave it only takes 4-5 minutes to steam green beans perfectly every time!

How do you cook green beans healthy?

Steaming green beans is a great way to enjoy a healthy side dish. Topping with just one tablespoon of butter is a guilt free way of adding a ton of flavor!

How do you steam green beans without a steamer basket?

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 (instructions below) are my favorite method!

How do you know they are done?

The beans will turn a vibrant bright green color, but will still be crispy and firm. Overcooked beans are limp and rubbery.

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.

Steamed green beans on platter.
Steam fresh Green Beans in the Microwave

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!!

Microwave steamed green beans on white platter with serving fork.
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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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!

    More Christmas Day Recipes

    • Sliced ham on platter.
      Slow Cooker Ham with Pineapple
    • Roasted Green Beans and Carrots on platter.
      Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
    • Monkey bread in baking dish with glaze being spooned over the rolls.
      Sticky Sweet Pull Apart Cinnamon Rolls
    • A fresh out of the oven cinnamon roll on a spatula that has been made with frozen bread dough.
      Cinnamon Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough

    About Debra Clark

    Hey I'm Deb Clark, and I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over! We live in the sleepy little town of Scappoose, Oregon. And I admit it... I love food! Join me in this foodie journey (even if you've never cooked before!) I will help you learn to be confident in the kitchen! Want to learn more? Let's stay connected, you can email me at debra@bowl-me-over.com and find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

    Comments

      5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Camden says

      January 31, 2024 at 3:07 am

      This steamed green bean recipe is one of my favorite ways to make green beans! So great for preparing them as a side or for part of another meal, too. 🙂

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 31, 2024 at 7:44 am

        Wonderful, I'm glad you enjoy the recipe Camden!

        Reply
    2. Debbie says

      January 30, 2024 at 3:54 pm

      Thank you for sharing this steamed green bean recipe. We are never going back to the canned stuff again!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 30, 2024 at 5:53 pm

        Awesome, these are the best veggies!!

        Reply
    3. Alyssa says

      January 30, 2024 at 7:32 am

      Steamed green beans are the perfect side dish. They are so easy to make and one of my boys favorite veggies!

      Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 30, 2024 at 8:38 am

        Wonderful, then you'll definitely want to give this recipe a try. Enjoy Alyssa!

        Reply
      • Debra Clark says

        January 30, 2024 at 5:49 pm

        Wonderful, I hope you give this recipe a try Alyssa!

        Reply
    4. Brittany says

      January 15, 2024 at 11:21 am

      I'm generally not a fan of steamed green beans but this recipe makes all the difference! I don't think a recipe could get any easier, and it was delicious too!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        January 15, 2024 at 1:54 pm

        Glad it was a hit. I love a simple side dish that brings the flavor. Thanks Brittany!

        Reply
    5. Kristen says

      January 12, 2024 at 10:23 pm

      5 stars
      Your steamed green bean recipe is brilliant! I have always worried that if I microwave veggies they will get soggy and lose texture, but I don't always have the time to steam them on the stove. I trust you and your yummy recipes completely so I will definitely be trying this!!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        January 15, 2024 at 2:15 pm

        Fantastic!! You'll definitely love these. They always turn out bright and crispy!

        Reply
    6. Moses Brodin says

      July 26, 2019 at 10:42 pm

      Just roasted my first butternut squash the other day and was surprised at how easy it was. This sounds like a great recipe to try!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        July 28, 2019 at 8:45 am

        Wonderful, enjoy Moses!

        Reply
    7. Sandi says

      October 04, 2017 at 9:41 pm

      5 stars
      Green beans are one of our holiday tradition veggies. Your recipe looks delicious and I love that you kept these with a slight crisp.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        October 06, 2017 at 8:57 am

        Thanks Sandi! I love bright crisp veggies and this just keeps things simple - thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    8. Ilka says

      November 07, 2016 at 8:24 pm

      Green beans are one of my favorite legume side dishes. I never had them prepared like this but it sounds delicious! Pinning and stumbling!!

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 09, 2016 at 8:37 pm

        Love this healthy option, I hope you do too Ilka!!

        Reply
    9. Liza says

      October 31, 2016 at 3:05 pm

      5 stars
      Hi, Debra,
      These look SUPER-YUMMY! Plus they are super-healthy!
      ...Definitely making these Green Beans for Dinner tonight!!! 🙂

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 01, 2016 at 9:56 am

        Thanks Liza - I hope you did get a chance to try this simple idea! In between Trick or Treaters last night we sat around and ate the leftovers with a fork! 😀 What can I say, better than eating candy, right? Hope you had a wonderful Halloween and thank you so much for the kind comments!!

        Reply
    10. Michelle says

      October 31, 2016 at 2:54 pm

      We missed you and Dan at dinner...what a fun week we all had. And nothing is easier than fresh green beans.

      We love Stella being your sous chef. She wants to make sure you get it just right. Funny.

      Reply
      • Bowl Me Over says

        November 01, 2016 at 9:54 am

        Yes we did have just a blast! It was so fun and YOU are such a fabulous cook! Sous Chef? Yes, I think you're right that must be exactly what Stella thinks she is doing! 😀 Have a fun day my friend!!

        Reply
    Blogger Deb Clark smiling at camera holding a plate filled with a casserole.
    Welcome to Bowl Me Over!

    Hey I'm Deb Clark! I'm the owner of Bowl Me Over. We live in a sleepy little town just north of Portland in the beautiful Pacific Northwest... (read more)

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