Can You Cook Beans in a Steamer?

One of my go-to side dishes is steamed green beans. That’s because they’re quick, easy, tasty, and you can make them in a variety of flavors to go with your main dish. They’re just the perfect no-brainer side dish. If you’ve only ever eaten green beans from a can, promise me you’ll try sautéing fresh green beans at least once. They’re a whole different beast. A deliciously fresh beast. Without further ado, let me show you how to steam fresh green beans. This is another easy and tasty side dish you can make!

Beans are a nutritious, protein-packed staple in many diets. While boiling and simmering are popular cooking methods, using a steamer is another great option for preparing beans. The steam gently cooks the beans while retaining more nutrients compared to boiling.

So can you cook beans in a steamer? The short answer is yes! Both fresh and dried beans can be steamed with excellent results. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to cook beans using a steamer, along with timing guidelines and recipe ideas.

Benefits of Steaming Beans

Here are some of the main advantages of steaming beans compared to other cooking methods

Retains more nutrients since beans do not sit in boiling water.
Produces more evenly cooked beans compared to simmering in a pot.
Requires less water and energy as you only boil enough for steam.
Allows beans to be flavored after cooking by adding sauces or seasoning.
Prevents beans from getting waterlogged or mushy from overcooking.
Works for both fresh and dried beans. Dried beans just require overnight soaking first.

Steaming is an easy, healthy way to prepare tender beans full of flavor.

Equipment Needed

To steam beans, you just need a basic steamer setup:

A pot with a lid to boil water in. This provides the steam.
A steamer basket or attachment that fits inside the pot. Beans go in the basket.
A lid for the steamer basket to retain moisture and heat.

Many pots come with steamer inserts. Standalone steamer baskets are also inexpensive and handy for steaming all sorts of foods.

Tips for Steaming Beans

Follow these tips to ensure perfect steamed beans every time:

Presoak dried beans overnight or for 8 hours to reduce cooking time. Discard soaking water.
Fill pot with 1-2 inches water. Too much will overwhelm the beans with moisture.
Bring water to a boil before adding beans to steamer basket.
Place steamer basket over boiling water, making sure it is not submerged.
Check beans often to avoid overcooking. They steam quickly.
Season beans after steaming or use sauce to avoid washing away flavor.

With the right technique, you can achieve tender steamed beans bursting with flavor.

Steaming Times for Fresh and Dried Beans

Steaming times vary based on the type and size of bean. Here are general guidelines:

Fresh beans – 5 to 10 minutes

Green beans: 5 to 7 minutes
Wax beans: 6 to 8 minutes
Lima beans: 7 to 9 minutes
Fava beans: 8 to 10 minutes

Dried beans – 30 to 60 minutes

Lentils: 20 to 30 minutes
Split peas: 25 to 35 minutes
Black beans: 35 to 45 minutes
Cannellini beans: 40 to 50 minutes
Lima beans: 45 to 60 minutes
Garbanzos: 50 to 60 minutes

Check beans frequently for doneness. They can go from perfect to overcooked quickly.

Steaming Beans from Canned

Canned beans can also be steamed with good results:

Drain and rinse canned beans well to remove canning liquid.
Place beans in steamer basket. Steam for 5 to 10 minutes.
Season with herbs, spices, sauces, or dressings after steaming.

Steaming helps liven up the texture of canned beans and allows customized flavoring.

Tasty Steamed Bean Recipes

Here are some easy recipe ideas for steaming different types of beans deliciously:

Green Beans

Steam then top with browned butter and toasted almonds.
Toss steamed green beans with sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger.
Top with a lemony vinaigrette and crumbled feta cheese.

Lima Beans

Combine steamed lima beans, corn, and red pepper. Toss with Cajun seasoning.
Mix steamed lima beans with rice, chicken broth and thyme.
Puree steamed lima beans with vegetable broth for quick soup.

Black Beans

Mash steamed black beans with olive oil, cumin, chili powder for dip.
Toss black beans with fresh tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime juice.
Simmer steamed beans in enchilada sauce and stuff into tortillas.

Chickpeas

Whirl steamed chickpeas with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice for hummus.
Combine chickpeas with roasted veggies and massaged kale for salad.
Sauté chickpeas with curry powder, coconut milk and spinach.

Mix and match your favorite beans, seasonings and ingredients for delicious, nutritious steamed bean dishes.

Storing Steamed Beans

Properly stored, leftover steamed beans can last:

In the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep beans and liquid separate.
In the freezer for 4 to 6 months. Freeze bean liquid into ice cubes to add when reheating.
Beans can be frozen plain or incorporated into full recipes.

Be sure to label freezer bags or containers with the type of bean and date. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Handling Common Steaming Problems

Steaming beans may take some trial and error. Here are some common issues and fixes:

Undercooked beans: Allow more steaming time, especially for larger beans. Make sure steam can circulate fully around the beans.

Overcooked, mushy beans: Avoid steaming longer than the recommended times. Immediately remove from heat once tender.

Waterlogged beans: Use less water for steaming and drain immediately after cooking. Pat dry beans before saucing.

Bland beans: Season beans after steaming while they are hot so flavors absorb better.

With a few attempts, you will get the timing and technique down for steaming perfect beans every time.

The Benefits of Enjoying Steamed Beans

Incorporating steamed beans into your diet provides many excellent health benefits:

High in protein to support muscle growth and keep you full.
Packed with fiber to aid digestion and heart health.
Loaded with key vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium and folate.
Naturally low in fat, carbs, and calories for a nutritious addition to any meal.
No added salt or oil if steamed plain.

So give steaming a try for a simple way to enjoy the many benefits beans provide!

Steaming is an easy and healthy cooking method that works great for all types of fresh and dried beans. Follow the guidelines provided here to master steaming times for perfectly cooked beans. Then get creative combining yourfavorite steamed bean varieties with different seasonings, veggies, grains and more for delicious, wholesome meals.

can you cook beans in a steamer

Do I Really Need the Steam Basket?

Some people say that you can’t steam green beans without a steam basket, but I’m not going to say that you can’t. Once upon a time, before I could afford to buy a steam basket, I cooked my green beans in one inch of water for years. The green beans on the bottom cooked a little longer than the rest, but you wouldn’t have known it. If you’re short on cash, follow the directions below minus the steam basket and you’ll do just fine.

What Equipment Do I Need?

Steaming green beans is so incredibly easy. All you need is a colander, pot or a deep skillet with a lid, and a steam basket. The steam basket holds the green beans just above the boiling water so they cook evenly and makes it really easy to lift the green beans out of the pot once cooked.

Cooking Dried Beans In A Dash Mini Rice Cooker

FAQ

Is it better to steam or boil string beans?

Steaming green beans is an easy way to make a delicious side dish for weeknight dinners. So why would you steam vegetables instead of boiling them? Steaming is slightly healthier because it keeps some of the nutrients intact, but is also a more risk-free cooking method since they’re less likely to overcook.

Can you cook anything in a steamer?

Once you learn how to rig a steamer with a few pieces of common kitchen equipment, on the other hand, there’s nothing you can’t steam—from fresh crabs to silky steamed eggs to whole fish—and you don’t need a special machine to do it.

Can you cook broad beans in a steamer?

Fresh, young broad beans are delicious steamed for about 10 minutes, then simply served tossed in butter and black pepper.

How long to cook runner beans in a steamer?

Runner beans are best finely sliced rather than cooked whole. Slice them at an angle for an attractive finish. Blanch or steam them for 3-4 minutes; not too raw and not too soggy, they should have a barely discernible squeak to them.

How long do you cook beans in a steamer?

Fill your steamer pot with as much water as needed for your type steamer and bring to a boil. Place the soaked beans into the steamer basket, set them over the boiling pot and cover. Steam the beans for three to four minutes or until tender–this will take 3 to 4 minutes.

What is the best way to eat beans?

The best way to eat beans is to first cook them in a large pot of water, about 4 cups of water to every 1 cup of beans. Adding lemon grass or other herbs to the water can improve the flavor. Once beans are cooked the best thing to do is combine them with cooked rice, this is because beans are low in methionine and rice is low in lysine, so combining them makes a more complete protein.

How to cook green beans in a steamer?

1. Wash the green beans: Start by washing the green beans under cool running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Trim the ends if desired. 2. Prepare the steamer: Fill a pot with about 1 inch of water and place a steamer basket inside. Make sure the water level does not touch the bottom of the basket. 3.

How do you cook black beans in a steamer?

Then, trim off the ends and cut the beans into bite-sized pieces. Fill a pot with a few inches of water and place a steamer basket inside. Bring the water to a boil, add the flat beans to the steamer basket, and cover the pot with a lid. Steam the beans for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender but still slightly crunchy.