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How Long to Boil Green Beans

What You Need to Make this Recipe

  • Green Beans: I use fresh green beans, but you can also use frozen if you prefer.
  • Salt: Salt enhances the natural flavor of the green beans.
  • Butter: Flash cooking green beans in butter gives them the flavor they need for a side you’ll want to pair with everything. Ghee is a great alternative, but you can also use olive oil or fat. They’re also great with bacon.

How to Prepare Fresh Green Beans

When it comes to green beans you can pluck both ends with your fingers like my cousins and I use to growing up. Or you can grab a handful and trim the ends with a sharp knife.

The ends of green beans trimmed.

How Long to Boil Green Beans

The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Bring a Dutch oven full of water and salt to a boil over medium heat.

Water boiling in a dutch oven.

Step 2: Add the green beans and boil for 4 to 6 minutes until bright green and crisp.

Green beans boiling in salt water.

Step 3: Remove them from the pot and drain them in a colander.

Green beans draining in a colander.

Step 4: Warm butter in a saute pan. Then add the green beans and stir to coat.

Green beans sautéing in butter.

How long does it take to boil green beans?

The amount of time you boil the green beans will determine how crispy or soft they will turn out, depending on your preference.

Fresh Green BeansFrozen Green Beans
4-5 minutes5-8 minutes

Expert Tips

  • Remove the stem end of the green bean with a knife or scissors, or do like I did growing up in my aunt’s backyard and break them with your fingers.
  • Select green beans with a bright green color and firm texture. They should easily snap when you break them.
  • Add green beans to already boiling water.
Green beans in a serving bowl.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you want an easy side dish to pair with a meal or fresh green beans to add to a dish like keto green bean casserole, this is the easiest way to boil green beans.

What to do With the Leftovers

  • Refrigerate  Store the leftovers in an airtight container for keep for 3-5 days.
  • Freeze  Add the cooked green beans to a baking sheet and freeze for 3-4 hours. Then, place them into a freezer-safe container or bag. Cooked green beans freeze for 3 months.
  • Thaw – When you are ready to eat, defrost the beans in the fridge overnight.
  • Reheat  Warm the leftovers on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes well with green beans?

Aromatics: Ginger, Garlic, Shallot, Onion
Acid: Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest
Spices: Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Slap Ya Mama’s Seasoning recipe, Kinder’s Buttery Steakhouse Seasoning
Fat: Butter, Ghee, or Bacon Bits
Seeds & Nuts: Sesame Seeds, Almonds, Pecans, Pine Nuts
Dairy: Parmesan, Goat Cheese
Fruit: Cranberry, Pomegranate Seeds

How do you know when green beans are cooked?

Green beans are done cooking when they turn bright green. They should be tender, but still crisp. If they cook too long, the bright green will dull.

More Vegetable Recipes:

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Green beans in a serving bowl.

How Long to Boil Green Beans

Tressa Jamil
Learn how long to boil green beans on the stovetop until they turn bright green and crisp for a healthy side to pair with almost everything.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 61 kcal
Ingredients
  
  • 1 pound green beans
  • 2 teaspoons Kosher salt,
  • 1 tablespoon butter or ghee, unsalted
Instructions
 
  • Bring a Dutch oven full of water and salt to a boil over medium heat.
  • Add the green beans and boil for 4 to 6 minutes until bright green and crisp.
  • Remove them from the pot and drain them in a colander.
  • Warm butter in a saute pan. Then add the green beans and stir to coat.
Notes
Expert Tips:
  • Remove the stem end of the green bean with a knife or scissors, or do like I did growing up in my aunt’s backyard and break them with your fingers.
  • Select green beans with a bright green color and firm texture. They should easily snap when you break them.
  • Add green beans to already boiling water.
Nutrition Disclosure:
  • The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 Serving | Calories: 61 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 2 g | Fat: 3 g | Sodium: 990 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 4 g
Did you make this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and follow @thejamilghar or tag #thejamilghar on Instagram!
Recipe Rating




Sarah W.

Monday 13th of February 2023

I tried this recipe and was amazed by the results! My green beans came out perfectly cooked and were a hit at dinner. Thanks for the clear instructions, I'll definitely be using this guide again in the future.