Every home cook needs this Fresh Green Beans Recipe!
With simple preparation and easy instructions these green beans turn out perfect every time. Just add a sprinkle of salt and let the butter melt all over the beans for a side dish that is hard to resist. Or add some freshly pressed garlic and bacon bits for a vegetable dish that is doubly hard to resist! No matter how the beans are dressed, it all begins with the best green bean recipe. Using these basic instructions, beans retain their vibrant and bright color, and maintain their tender but firm texture, just like mom (or gramma) make! 
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Fresh & Flavorful Green Beans
- This fast and easy recipe cooks green beans while preserving their bright vibrant color, all in one pot with minimal clean-up.
- Catch green beans on sale in the produce section or farmer’s market from May to October and stock up. Make this recipe in batches and serve some and save some!
- Green beans have so many culinary applications and they freeze beautifully. Stock up for future Thanksgiving casseroles, stir-fries, soups, and stews.
Ingredients and Variations
GREEN BEANS: Choose French, green, or yellow beans for this recipe. Fresh is always best, and unlike most vegetables, green beans freeze and thaw really well. Prepare the recipe as directed, but add a couple of minutes to the cooking time if using frozen (they may not be as firm as fresh).
How to Cook Fresh Green Beans
Nothing beats bright and flavorful summer beans, especially with a little butter and salt!
- Wash green beans and trim ends.
- Bring water to a boil and add beans. Sprinkle with baking soda.
- Cover and boil (as per the recipe below).
- Drain beans, add butter and season.
PRO TIP: Watch closely because boiling green beans too long makes them too soft.
Serving Green Beans
Green beans are so versatile! They can be served as a snack, appetizer, side dish, or part of the main dish. Roasted green beans are an excellent side dish to lighter meat entrees like a simple whole chicken, smoked salmon, pork tenderloin or a bone-in pork loin roast. Add another side dish of roasted potatoes for a complete meal. Use these beans in a stir fry, or in sauteed mushrooms with fresh garlic and crumbled bacon.
Freezing Green Beans
Fresh green beans can be frozen raw in zippered bags for up to a year. However, for best results, green beans should be blanched before freezing. Follow the directions in this recipe until Step 3. Once the green beans are drained, plunge them into ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. Pat them dry and freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet (this keeps them from freezing to each other). Once frozen, transfer beans to a zippered bag for up to a year.
Easy Side Dish Recipes!
- Roasted Green Beans – 5 minute prep!
- Oven Roasted Asparagus – a fresh and delish side.
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli – perfectly seasoned.
- Roasted Delicata Squash – unique and delicious.
- Sauteed Broccolini – ready in just 15 minutes.
Fresh Green Beans Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 cups green beans 12 ounces
- 3 cups water more or less
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Wash beans and trim ends.
- Add water to skillet, adding more or less to fill to about ½ inch deep. On high heat, bring water to a boil.
- Add beans, then quickly sprinkle with baking soda and cover and boil for 2 minutes, turning down slightly if it starts to boil over. Check beans for doneness, cooking more until they reach desired doneness. Remove from heat and drain water (or use tongs to remove beans to a bowl).
- Add butter, salt, and pepper to taste. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Green beans can be frozen raw in zippered bags for up to a year. But it is recommended to blanch them first before freezing.
- To blanch green beans:
- Follow the directions in this recipe until Step 3.
- Drain green beans and immediately plunge into ice-cold water. This will stop the cooking process.
- Pat beans dry and freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet to keep them from freezing to each other.
- Transfer beans to a zippered bag for up to a year.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.
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