Learn how long to boil green beans on the stovetop for vibrant, bright green beans you can pair with any entree.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 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.
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.
Step 2: Add the green beans and boil for 4 to 6 minutes until bright green and crisp.
Step 3: Remove them from the pot and drain them in a colander.
Step 4: Warm butter in a saute pan. Then add the green beans and stir to coat.
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 Beans | Frozen Green Beans |
|---|---|
| 4-5 minutes | 5-8 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.
If you enjoy my tips for how to cook green beans, check out these kitchen tips!
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.
- Instant Pot Pot Roast, Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast, Boneless Leg of Lamb
- Gluten-Free Chicken Wings, Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Pork Chops
- Bison Steak, Air Fryer Ribeye Steak, Lamb Shoulder Chop
- Baked Chicken Thighs, Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Poached Eggs
- Sriracha Salmon
- Tandoori Turkey
What to do with the Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store the leftovers in an airtight container for keep for 3-4 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 2-3 months.
- Thaw: 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:
How Long to Boil Green Beans
- 1 pound green beans
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt,
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter or ghee
- 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.
- 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.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
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.