It’s not always easy to figure out how many green beans are in a cup when recipes say “1 cup of chopped green beans” or “2 cups of whole green beans.” We did some tests to help you figure out how many green beans you need to buy so that cooking is easier.
To find out “How many green beans are in a cup?,” we went to the store and looked in the vegetable section. We looked through the choices and decided that 1 pound of green beans would be the best way to test how many green beans are in a cup. One pound of green beans has about 35 to 40 beans, which is enough for 3 cups of chopped green beans. So, a 1/3-pound purchase is about right for a recipe that calls for 1 cup of chopped green beans. Remember when cooked, 1 cup of green beans will reduce in quantity by 2 to 3 tablespoons.
Did you know that green beans, which are really dry beans that aren’t fully grown yet, come from Peru but are now grown all over the world? They were first called “string beans” because the pod had a tough string running along the outside. Botanists were able to get rid of the string in 1894 by using selective breeding to create the varieties we eat today that don’t have it.
You’ll be sure to know how many green beans you need the next time a recipe calls for a cup of chopped or whole ones. You can also use our conversion tool below for any custom how many green beans in a. measurements you need.
Canned green beans are a kitchen staple that can be convenient to keep on hand for quick side dishes and casseroles. But when a recipe calls for a certain number of cups of green beans, how do you know how many cups are actually in the can? Let’s take a closer look at standard can sizes and how to measure canned bean yields.
The Typical Size of Canned Green Beans
The most common can size for canned green beans is 14.5 ounces. This standard 5 ounce can generally contains approximately
- 3 to 3.5 cups of drained green beans
So when a recipe calls for “one can of green beans” you can safely estimate it means a 14.5 ounce can that will give you around 3.5 cups once drained.
However, it’s always wise to verify the exact can size being referenced, as some recipes may intend the bigger or smaller sizes:
- Smaller 8-9 ounce cans contain around 2 cups of beans
- Larger #10 cans hold about 6 to 7 cups
Checking the label specifications is the most accurate way to understand how many cups of beans are inside. Never assume one can equals one standard quantity.
Factors that Affect Cup Yield
While the 14.5 ounce can averages 3.5 cups drained, the actual amount can vary slightly based on a few factors:
-
Bean density – How tightly packed the beans are affects volume. Dense packing fits more cups per can.
-
Cut style – Sliced or diced beans may cup differently than whole beans.
-
Branding – Different brands fill cans slightly differently, so amounts can vary a bit.
-
Settling – Beans may settle over time, reducing cup yield.
To account for potential variability, it’s wise to always drain and measure your beans rather than just assuming the amount.
And if accuracy is critical for a recipe, consider weighing drained beans in grams or ounces for most precision.
Converting Can Sizes
Being able to convert between different can sizes is helpful when substituting canned beans:
- 8 oz can = approx. 2 cups
- 14.5 oz can = approx. 3.5 cups
- 15 oz can = approx. 3.5 cups
- 16 oz can = approx. 4 cups
- 28 oz can = approx. 7 cups
- #10 can = approx. 6.5 cups
Use these canned green bean equivalents as a guide whenever you need to substitute different can sizes in a recipe.
Tips for Measuring Canned Green Beans
To accurately measure your drained canned beans:
-
Carefully pour beans into a mesh strainer or colander to catch liquid. Shake gently to drain excess.
-
For best results, don’t pack down or compress beans when measuring cups. The beans should sit loosely in the measuring cup.
-
When portioning beans into multiple recipes, avoid draining and measuring multiple times. Drain once into a bowl, then measure portions from the bowl as needed for more consistency.
-
Consider weighing larger volumes of beans in grams for most accuracy in recipes where bean quantity is critical.
Canned Green Bean Nutrition
When looking at canned vegetable nutrition, green beans offer some excellent benefits:
- Good source of fiber, vitamins C, K, A, and several B vitamins
- Contains minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus
- Low calorie at just 35 calories per cup
- Provides antioxidants like beta carotene
Go for low sodium or no salt added canned options to avoid excess sodium intake. Rinsing beans can also reduce salty flavor if needed.
Uses for Canned Green Beans
With their convenience, affordability, and two year shelf life, canned green beans lend themselves to many quick recipes:
-
Side dishes – simply heat and season beans for an instant vegetable
-
Salads – add to veggie salads and grain bowls
-
Soups – puree into creamy bean soup
-
Casseroles – combine with sauce and baked ingredients
-
Meal prep – prepare portions for grab-and-go lunches
-
Snacks – roast with olive oil, herbs, and spices for crunchy roasted beans
With creative seasoning, canned beans can be transformed into something special beyond just your basic heated side dish. Explore flavors from different cuisines to spice them up.
Understanding approximate cup yields from canned green beans allows you to seamlessly substitute them into any recipe. Now you know that the standard 14.5 ounce can contains about 3 to 3.5 cups drained beans. Measure precisely when accuracy matters, and take advantage of their versatility in your everyday cooking.
Want a Fancy Cocktail? Full Recipe:
The bean’s immature pods are called beans. The mature, fresh seed is called a shell bean, and the seed that has dried in the pod and needs to be reconstituted in liquid is called a dried bean. If you let a bean grow long enough, it will have all three stages, but not all of them will taste good.
Custom Conversions for Pound of Green Beans
- A pound of green beans has 3 cups (711 mls) of chopped green beans.
I need: of
How many cups are in 14.5 oz can of green beans?
FAQ
Is 2 cans of green beans 4 cups?
How many cups are in a 14 oz can of green beans?
|
Can Size Name
|
Weight
|
Volume
|
|
No. 5
|
56 ounces
|
7 1/3 cups
|
|
No. 10
|
6 pounds 6 ounces to 7 pounds 5 ounces
|
12 cups
|
|
No. 300
|
14 to 16 ounces
|
1 3/4 cups
|
|
No. 303
|
16 to 17 ounces
|
2 cups
|
How many cups is a standard can of beans?
How many cups of cooked green beans in a can?
How many ounces are in a can of green beans?
A can of green beans contains 14.5 ounces. Every can holds 1¾ cups of green beans and ¾ cup of liquid. The cups are measured more because the beans shrink when cooked.
How much liquid is in a can of green beans?
A standard 15-ounce can of green beans equals approximately ¾ cup of liquid. That’s excluding the beans themselves. Most manufacturers offer their canned foods, including green beans, in the standard 15-ounce can size.
How many cups are in a can of canned green beans?
A can of canned green beans, specifically a canned French-style green bean, is equivalent to 1½ cups. This measurement is obtained when analyzed. French-style cut green beans are chopped and often julienned. Some people prefer the horizontal slicing, while others like it because it cooks faster and blends well in the sauce.
How many grams are in 1 Cup of green beans?
One cup of green beans is approximately 110 grams. Green beans can be measured in cups and ounces, but their weight is not expensive or hard to find.