Fitness / September 25, 2024

How to Cook Fresh Green Beans

This simple and delicious side is perfect for a quick weeknight veggie!

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When they’re in season, my mom always places a bowl of freshly blanched green beans on the table with a splash of lemon juice and olive oil. I can’t emphasize enough how tasty they are. Seriously, did Mother Nature ever add MSG to these things? Green beans, no matter how you make them, are positively tasty. This easy-to-follow recipe shows you how to cook fresh green beans in one of the simplest ways—on your stove!

The no-frills ingredients used in this recipe bring out the natural flavor of the green beans, which are tender with a slight crispness. All you need is olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. That’s it. As with carrots and Brussels sprouts, you don’t need to add much to green beans for them to taste good. Of course, feel free to customize the seasoning to fit your main meal. For example, I like tossing them with a splash of balsamic vinegar and a handful of cherry tomatoes!

Are Green Beans Healthy?

Green beans are absolutely healthy! For starters, you won’t find a lot of unwanted calories in this recipe, save for the bit of olive oil, but that’s a healthy fat. Vitamins-wise, green beans are no slouch either—there’s a healthy dose of A, C, and K per serving. There’s also a healthy amount of fiber, so pile your plates high, people.

Are Green Beans Actually Beans?

Despite their name, green beans are not technically beans in the same way that kidney beans or black beans are. It’s a weird little veggie—or should I say legume? Or both? Yeah, it’s confusing. Botanically speaking, green beans are indeed legumes. After all, they belong to the legume family, which includes beans, lentils, and, wait for it, peas! Did you know peas are legumes? Yeah, I recently learned that tidbit. What are legumes, you ask? Basically, they’re plants that produce seeds in pods. Green beans certainly fall into this category.

Here’s where things get confusing. In culinary terms, green beans are vegetables. One main reason for this is that they’re harvested and eaten with their pods before the seeds inside fully mature. I guess you could say they’re the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of the plant kingdom. They provide all the nutritious benefits of legumes but with the fresh appeal of vegetables. I suppose, in the end, it doesn’t matter. Green beans are healthy (and tasty), whether you consider them a legume or a veggie!

INGREDIENTS

1 pound fresh green beans
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Wash and trim the green beans.

Cook

Sauté green beans with seasoning.

Serve

Enjoy as a healthy side dish.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

While you could trim and prepare these ahead of time, green beans taste best fresh! Store your leftovers in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days.

Can I add other seasonings or ingredients?

Yep! I usually add freshly minced garlic and sprinkle in some oregano.

Can I use frozen green beans?

I wouldn’t recommend it, but I get it if that’s all you can find. Keep in mind that frozen green beans may take slightly longer to cook. Also, thaw green beans first and pat them dry. Otherwise, all that excess moisture will hinder the cooking process.

Serving Suggestions

This green bean recipe is a chameleon, enhancing whatever meal and side you serve with it. In my household, green beans are synonymous with Christmas and Thanksgiving, so you’ll often find this dish on a plate of turkey–and I often plow through my mashed potatoes with a bean or two! Outside the typical holiday classics, I’ll also serve them alongside grilled chicken, baked salmon, or a juicy beef brisket.