How to Microwave Green Beans
Prep Time
1 minCook Time
2 minsFree Time
to watch some TV
Loaded with antioxidants, vibrant green beans offer a quick and nutritious veggie fix to serve with grilled meats or rich main dishes. Steaming green beans in the microwave brings out the best color and nutrients but also ensures the beans remain tender-crisp and never mushy.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Small Dish
This dish’s superpower is evenly heating leftovers and cooking small portions.
The Strainer
Introducing: The Strainer! Flexible-yet-sturdy clips attach this clever ‘colander’ onto your Anyday dish, making it a master multitasker. Use this strainer on any size or shape Anyday dish.
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 1 cup (90g) green beans
- 1 teaspoon water
Preparation
- Trim the dry ends of the beans, then place them in an Anyday dish and rinse thoroughly under cold tap water. Using the Anyday Strainer, strain the excess water.
- After straining, season with salt to taste, and cover with the lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave for 2 minutes, or until the green beans are tender.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Honey soy: Mix with honey, soy sauce, and lime juice
- Garlic chive: Mix with room temperature butter, chopped chives, and garlic powder
- Peanut: Mix with creamy peanut butter, soy sauce, and rice vinegar
- Sweet and spicy: Mix with sriracha, honey, and fish sauce
- Quick casserole: Mix with cream of mushroom soup and continue cooking until warm. Sprinkle some crispy shallots and enjoy.
- Tomato, basil, and burrata: Toss the green beans with quartered cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced basil, and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Place burrata on top.
- Almonds, butter, and dill: Toss the warm green beans with butter and season with freshly chopped dill and chopped toasted almonds.
Recipe notes
- For the most even cooking, stir halfway through the cooking time.
- For thicker green beans, add additional cook time if needed.
- Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper for a quick side dish.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Microwave Match Up: Green Beans
See for yourself— microwaving green beans is simply faster, start to finish.
| Appliance | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Microwave in an Anyday dish | 2-4 mins |
| Stovetop* | 5-10mins |
| Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* | 15-20 mins |
Step-by-Step: Microwaving Green Beans
All You Need to Know About Microwaving Green Beans
How long does take to cook green beans in the microwave?
| Ingredient | Water | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (90g) green beans | 1 teaspoon water | 1- 2 mins |
| 3 cups (270g) green beans | 1 tablespoon water | 3-4 mins |
| 5 cups (450g) green beans | 1½ tablespoons water | 5-6 mins |
| 8 cups (720g) green beans | 2 tablespoons water | 6-7 mins |
| 10 cups (900g) green beans | 2½ tablespoons water | 8-9 mins |
It typically takes around 4-6 minutes for 3 cups of green beans to cook in the microwave. To tell when they are cooked through, look for deep green steaming pods. You can also test it by piercing a pod with a fork, it should be tender but not mushy.
Is it better to steam or boil fresh green beans?
For the best-tasting and nutrient-rich green beans, we recommend steaming the beans in the microwave. That way, flavor and nutrients stay packed into the beans, instead of leaching out into the cooking water. Boiling is a fine method to cook green beans, but dilutes flavor and takes up more space on the stovetop.
Can you cook frozen green beans in the microwave?
For frozen green beans, follow the same cooking direction as for fresh beans. While the frozen green beans are already cooked, they still need to defrost and heat up completely.
How to microwave canned green beans?
Microwaving canned green beans is a breeze! Drain the green beans and transfer them in an Anyday without any extra water. Cover them with the lid, and microwave for half the indicated amount or until heated through.
How to freeze microwaved green beans?
To freeze microwaved green beans, first, cook the beans as indicated, then cut them and allow them to cool completely. Place them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them for later use. You can also cut them in half and portion using the 1/2 cup Anytime Freezer Trays and save up to 1 month.
