Lemony Steamed Green Beans

These zesty steamed green beans are the epitome of an easy side dish! This healthy recipe rounds out just about any dinner.

Looking for a healthy and easy side dish that pairs with literally anything? These lemony steamed green beans go with almost any meal, from meatloaf to salmon to pasta. Even better: they take only 10 minutes to whip up! Alex and I are always on the lookout for easy side dishes. While “steamed green beans” might not be the most Instagram drool worthy idea, it’s seriously practical and 100% worth adding to your weeknight cooking skills! The zesty lemon flavor and bite of the black pepper in these beans have made them a favorite in our house.

Got an Instant Pot? Try our Instant Pot Green Beans with Lemon.

How to make perfect steamed green beans

The trick to steamed green beans is to catch them right when they’re bright green and crisp tender! Keep cooking and they’ll turn a muddy green color and become mushy. The perfect timing for steaming this green veggie is about 4 to 5 minutes. You’ll need to play it by ear each time you cook the beans, because the timing can depend on the thickness and freshness of the green beans. Here are our tips on how to steam beans.

Gear required: You’ll need a steamer basket or steamer pan to make this recipe. Here’s a steamer basket you can buy online.

Step 1: Trim the green beans.

The major time investment in green beans? Cutting them! Here’s our fast method for how to trim green beans that will shave off valuable minutes.

Step 2: Boil the water.

The main thing you need to know for how to steam green beans: bring the water to a boil first! Don’t be tempted to boil the water with the veggies in the pot! You’ll boil the water in a saucepan or pot before you add the beans. If using a steamer basket without a handle, add it to the pot now: the water surface should be right under the basket. 

Step 3: Add the beans, cover and steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until crisp tender.

Once the water is boiling, add the beans (in the steamer basket, if it has a handle) and cover the pot with a lid. Steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until bright green and crisp tender. Test the bean with a fork and taste it: if you’d like it a little more tender, cook another minute. Just be careful not to go too long, or the color will fade and the beans will become mushy.

Step 4: Drain and season.

Remove from the heat and drain the beans. Then season with lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper. Voila! Steamed green beans in no time.

Ways to season steamed green beans

This steamed green beans recipe features our favorite seasoning: lemon juice and zest for brightness, and black pepper for a little flair. But there are lots of other ways to season steamed beans, of course! Here are a few other ideas to get your wheels turning:

• Minced garlic and butter
• Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
• Rice vinegar and sesame seeds
• Slivered toasted almonds
• Thinly sliced green onion
• Feta crumbles

How to serve them

Any meal that needs an easy side dish, this recipe has got your back. It fits many diets: vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free, among others. Here are a few main dishes to serve with our best green beans recipe:

• Salmon: They’re the perfect side to go with salmon! Try our Baked Salmon, Cedar Plank Salmon or Broiled Salmon
• Shrimp: Try our Stovetop Shrimp or Grilled Shrimp
• Veggie Mains: Try our Vegetarian Meatloaf, Veggie Meatballs and Gravy, or Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
• Pasta: Try our Creamy Penne Pasta, Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese, or Spicy Kale Lasagna

This steamed green beans recipe is…

Vegetarian, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free, and vegan.

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