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Green beans are removed from a pot of boiling salted water
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5 from 6 votes

How Long to Boil Green Beans

This is the easiest way to boil green beans- ready in just 10 minutes! The key is to drop them into already boiling salt water and cook them until they're bright green and crisp-tender.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. green beans fresh
  • 1 tsp. salt plus more for serving
  • 1-2 Tbsp. butter optional

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil along with the salt.
  • While the water is heating up, snap off the stems of the green beans by hand or trim and remove the ends with a knife.
  • Carefully add the green beans to the water using a slotted spoon and boil for about 4-5 minutes, or until crisp tender. Begin checking on them after 3 minutes to ensure they do not overcook.
  • Drain the green beans in a colander in the sink. Serve with butter and additional salt, to taste. Enjoy!

Notes

Meal Prep and Storage

  • To Serve: Top the warm green beans with a pat of butter and salt. One pound of green beans will result in 4 servings.
  • To Prep-Ahead: Wash and trim the ends off of the green beans and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days in advance.
  • To Store: Seal leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-5 days.
  • To Freeze: Arrange the cooked green beans in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 4 hours. Then transfer them to freezer-safe ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
  • To Reheat: Warm in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, or simply microwave until hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 511mg | Potassium: 240mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg