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    Meals » Recipes » Side Dishes

    Microwave Green Beans

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Apr 27, 2021 · Modified: Jul 5, 2021 by Dee

    Microwave Green Beans with butter, salt, pepper and garlic for a quick and healthy side dish. Learn how to steam fresh green beans the easy way in just a few minutes. They're tender crisp, perfectly seasoned and delicious! via @meamel

    Microwave Green Beans with butter, salt, pepper and garlic for a quick and healthy side dish. Learn how to steam fresh green beans the easy way in just a few minutes. They're tender crisp, perfectly seasoned and delicious!

    Jump to Recipe -
    steamed green beans in white serving dish with fork
    Jump to:
    • How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave
    • How Long to Microwave
    • How to Store
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    I love to cook fresh green beans in the microwave! We've been cooking green beans, string beans and French green beans (haricots verts) this way for ages because it's super quick and easy, and they come out perfect every time. No boiling water, no shocking in ice water -- just one dish and done!

    Don't worry. Cooking vegetables in the microwave is just as healthy or healthier than other methods because they retain more nutrients this way. Along with beans, we cook baked potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower and carrots in the microwave.

    How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave

    First, you rinse the fresh green beans under running water. Don't dry them off! Then, trim off any rough ends. I usually just snap any rough ends off with my fingers, but you can use a knife for this part if you prefer.

    If you don't want to take time to trim the beans, look for trimmed fresh green beans in a bag in the produce section. This makes cooking a snap -- you can even steam the beans in the bag!

    fresh green beans in blue colander

    Next, place the beans into a microwave safe bowl or baking dish. I have a set of small Pyrex glass dishes that I usually use. Ceramic casserole dishes work well, too.

    Add a tablespoon of butter and a little sea salt, pepper and garlic powder. I don't even measure the seasonings out -- just a pinch will do. No need to add any water since the beans are wet from washing. Plus, you'll have some liquid from the melted butter.

    string beans in glass dish with butter

    Next, place the dish into your microwave. Cover with plastic wrap (make sure to vent it), a microwave-safe cover, a plate or a paper towel. I use a microwave-safe cover for this, but any of the other options work well.

    Always be careful when removing the cover. Steam is hot!

    cooking green beans in microwave under cover

    How Long to Microwave

    Cook regular green beans in the microwave for 4 to 5 minutes if you like them tender crisp. If you want your beans a little softer, try 5 to 6 minutes. Remember, food continues to cook after microwaving. You can always add time if you want to, so try the lowest time first.

    For string beans or haricots verts, try microwaving them for 2 minutes if you like them crisp tender. Try 4 minutes for softer string beans. Every microwave is different, so you may need to adjust the time to suit your own personal taste.

    Serve the beans with a little more butter if you like, or enjoy them just like this! We sometimes add cooked crumbled bacon right before serving -- YUM!

    No microwave? No problem! Try Sautéed Green Beans and Bacon on the stove. Super easy and so good!

    fresh cooked green beans in a white bowl

    How to Store

    You can store leftover cooked green beans in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator. They should last about 3 to 4 days. To reheat, microwave them for about 1 minute or use the reheat setting until hot.

    Recipe

    microwave green beans in white serving bowl

    Microwave Green Beans

    Published by Dee
    Microwave Green Beans with butter, salt, pepper and garlic for a quick and healthy side dish. Learn how to steam fresh green beans the easy way in just a few minutes.
    5 from 7 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 4 mins
    Total Time 9 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 40 kcal

    Equipment

    • microwave oven

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound fresh green beans
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • pinch sea salt, pepper and garlic powder

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse and trim green beans. Don't dry
    • Place in microwave safe dish, and add butter, sea salt, pepper and garlic powder
    • Cover and cook for 4 to 5 minutes for tender crisp beans or 5 to 6 minutes for softer beans

    Notes

    All microwaves are different. Always start off with shortest time and a minute if needed.
    Cook string beans or haricots verts for 2 to 3 minutes for crips tender beans or 3 to 4 minutes for softer texture.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 580IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!
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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. M B says

      February 21, 2023 at 4:55 am

      Delicious, simple, and easy! Enjoyed these wonderful fresh green beans cooked for five minutes in microwave.

      Reply
    2. Susie says

      November 02, 2021 at 10:57 pm

      Tried this recipe tonight and it turned out to be delicious! I will continue to use it again and again. Very easy and quick to make.5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        November 03, 2021 at 11:34 am

        Thank you so much for the wonderful review!

    3. Paul says

      July 08, 2021 at 6:57 pm

      I used to only sauté green beans, but this method is way better! They taste so delicious and are done in minutes—what’s not to love about them?!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        July 09, 2021 at 12:13 pm

        Thank you so much, Paul! Glad you like the beans!

    4. Catalina says

      May 01, 2021 at 5:03 am

      Sometimes I just love to use my microwave for easy recipes. I love this side dish!5 stars

      Reply
    5. Sandra says

      April 30, 2021 at 3:03 pm

      These are so good!! I love how simply it is!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Erica says

      April 30, 2021 at 2:33 am

      I can't ignore this healthy recipe!  Microwave Green Beans was a huge hit in my house!
      5 stars

      Reply
    7. Beth says

      April 29, 2021 at 1:46 pm

      Yummy! My son and hubby loved this recipe! Can't wait to make this again! Such a great dinner side and easy too!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        May 01, 2021 at 10:23 pm

        Thanks, Beth! So glad you liked the green beans!

    8. Mae says

      April 28, 2021 at 7:47 pm

      Adding this to my go to side dish! So healthy and simple!5 stars

      Reply
    9. Dorothy Reinhold says

      April 28, 2021 at 4:26 pm

      I'm excited to have this quick and tasty way to use fresh green beans! It's almost farmer's market time and I can't wait!

      Reply

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    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

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