How Long Does It Take To Steam Green Beans In The Microwave?

If you're looking for a tasty veg that packs a punch in the health department, green beans might be your best bet. This much-loved legume is low in calories and carbs, but brings protein, fiber, and anti-inflammatory properties to the table. They're also really easy to prepare; dress them up in your favorite casserole or keep it simple and serve them seasoned alongside a salmon filet or chicken tenderloin There are so many great ways to prepare your green beans, you'll never run out of inspiration.

It doesn't get much easier than steaming green beans, which only takes about six minutes in the microwave, and to add great news to good, preparing them this way can actually yield more health benefits than boiling or baking them. Steaming the beans preserves the nutrients, color, and even the texture of the vegetable. When steaming green beans in the microwave, we usually start with frozen beans. Freezer veggies are picked, then frozen at the peak of ripeness, which preserves nutrients they might otherwise lose on the long haul from the farm to your dinner table. And steaming rather than boiling them preserves nutrients that can leach out during cooking. Vitamin C is particularly susceptible to leaching when boiled, and a serving of green beans can account for nearly 20% of one's daily recommended intake.

Many frozen green beans — like those from Birds Eye's Steamfresh and Green Giant's Simply Steam lines — can be steamed right in the bag. Make sure to check the bag for cooking times and that the one you picked up is intended for this preparation. If, however, you're planning to prep them in a dish, you'll need to remove the beans from the bag, then place in a shallow, microwave-safe dish. Next, add a couple tablespoons of water to the dish, cover, and microwave for around six minutes. If you like them on the crunchy side, cut a minute or so off the cook time, and if your microwave is closer to 700 watts (standard size is about 1000 watts, while larger built-in units can be up to 1700 watts) leave them in for another minute to get tender-crisp. 

Once your green beans are done, pull  them carefully out of the microwave. Remove the lid (watching for steam) and add any additional seasonings. If you're adding butter, this is the time. Looking for something tasty to add to your beans? Grated parmesan, bacon, and toasted silvered almonds all pair nicely with green beans. If you don't have a microwave, you can also steam green beans in an Instant Pot. And for any leftovers, try reheating your green beans in your air fryer for a satisfyingly crunchy snack the next day.