How Long to Grill Green Beans in Foil for Perfectly Charred, Tender Beans

As an avid griller, I’m always looking for easy and flavorful recipes to throw on the barbecue. Grilling green beans in foil packets is one of my all-time favorite sides! The beans steam beautifully in the packet, developing tons of flavor, while getting lightly charred from the grill

But grilling times can vary based on factors like grill temperature and bean thickness. So how long should you actually grill green beans wrapped in foil? Through trial and error, I’ve dialed in the ideal timing.

In this handy guide I’ll share my tips and tricks for grilling green beans in foil. including

• Why foil packets are perfect for green beans
• How packet ingredients boost flavor
• Ideal grill temperature and setup
• How long to grill beans based on thickness
• Signs your beans are done
• Common mistakes to avoid

Let’s get into the nitty gritty of grilling time so you can char your green beans to tender perfection.

Why Foil Packets Rock for Grilled Beans

Cooking veggies in foil packets on the grill is one of my favorite techniques. It gives you:

• Moist, steamy beans – Foil traps steam to prevent drying out.

• Concentrated flavor – Ingredients meld together in the packet.

• Easy grilling – Just place foil packs directly on grates.

• No-fuss cleaning – Foil containers minimize grill mess.

• Portion control – Individual packets make serving a cinch.

For green beans, foil is perfect because the beans steam and sauté in their own juices and seasoning. The result is tender, vibrant beans with tons of flavor.

Seasoning Suggestions for Packets

Plain green beans would be pretty boring and flavorless off the grill. That’s why I like to toss them with seasonings and fat before grilling. Some of my favorite additions are:

• Butter – Adds richness and enhances browning.

• Olive oil – Also improves browning and flavor.

• Garlic – Provides a tasty punch of flavor.

• Salt and pepper – Season to taste.

• Lemon juice and zest – Brightens up the beans.

• Herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano.

Get creative with spices, herbs, citrus, etc. The seasoning options are endless for customizing your beans.

Setting Up Your Grill for Bean Packets

To ensure your green beans grill up nicely, you need the right grill setup:

• Temperature: Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, around 375-400°F.

• Grate cleaning: Scrub grates and brush with oil so packets don’t stick.

• Packet assembly: Double wrap beans in foil to prevent burns.

• Grill position: Cook packets over direct heat to get charring on the foil.

The key is achieving consistent medium-high heat. This gives you charred foil and steamed beans without scorching the outside before the inside cooks.

Grilling Time Based on Bean Thickness

The thickness of your green beans is the biggest factor for grilling time. Here are my guidelines:

• Thin beans (≤ 1⁄4 inch) – Grill for 10-12 minutes

• Medium beans (1⁄4 – 1⁄2 inch) – Grill for 12-15 minutes

• Thick beans (> 1⁄2 inch) – Grill for 15-18 minutes

I find most common snap beans fall into the medium thickness range. But if you’re unsure, start checking doneness at 10 minutes.

No matter the size, resist opening the packets too early! Peeking lets steam escape and can lead to undercooked beans.

How to Tell When Beans are Done

Since you can’t easily cut into packets to check doneness, rely on these visual and textural signs:

• Foil browned and lightly charred

• Beans bright green and somewhat shriveled

• Beans softened but still have a light crunch

• Beans separate easily when poked with a fork

The beans should be tender but not mushy. Poke any suspect beans with a fork or taste a sample bean to confirm doneness.

Undercooked beans will seem dry and tough. Overcooked beans will be olive green and falling apart. With the right time, you’ll find the ideal tender-crisp middle ground.

Common Grilling Mistakes to Avoid

It takes some trial and error to master the foil packet bean technique. Here are some mistakes to watch out for:

• Too high heat leads to scorched, mushy beans.

• Too many beans crammed into packets steams unevenly.

• Opening packets early causes beans to dry out.

• Reusing old foil can cause leaks and burning.

• Too little oil/seasoning gives you bland beans.

• Under-wrapping packets results in charred, stuck beans.

The good news is all these issues are easily fixed. Focus on medium-high heat, lightly filled packets, and proper wrapping until you get the hang of it.

Make Grilled Green Beans Part of Your Repertoire

Well, there you have it! Now you know exactly how long you need to grill green beans wrapped in foil packets to get tender, lightly charred beans every time.