Green beans are easy to find all year, but they grow best from May to October, with the hottest months being the busiest. French cut beans are basically Julienne or thinly sliced beans.
I know this cut hurts, but I have a hack that might help you.
French cut green beans are a fun twist on regular whole green beans. The thin, slender shape gives them a unique look and allows them to cook faster than whole beans. But achieving the perfect julienne can be tricky when slicing by hand. Here’s an easy method to french cut green beans quickly and evenly using a food processor.
What Are French Cut Green Beans?
French cut green beans, also called julienned green beans, are green beans that have been sliced lengthwise into long thin strips. This gives them a graceful, elegant appearance while exposing more surface area for quick and even cooking.
The terms “French cut” and “julienned” refer to cutting vegetables or fruits into matchstick sized pieces. When applied to green beans, it means slicing them vertically down their length
So rather than chopping the beans crosswise into pieces you are slicing them into skinny sticks. The French cut transforms ordinary beans into something delicate and special.
Why Slice Green Beans This Way?
There are a few advantages to French cutting green beans:
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Faster cooking: The thinner shape means the beans cook more quickly. With the interior exposed, they heat through in less time.
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More tender texture: The slender cut helps the beans become very tender. The smaller pieces cook through without getting overly soft.
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Fun presentation: The pretty julienned shape gives interest and flair. French cut beans simply look more elegant and refined.
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More flavor: Cutting exposes more surface area to soak up butter, oil and seasonings. Their thin shape allows more flavor to penetrate the beans.
Overall, the French cut showcases green beans in a delicate, tasty, and eye-catching way.
How to Cut Green Beans by Hand
Cutting green beans into perfect matchsticks by hand is tedious and tricky. Beans come in all different shapes and lengths, making uniform cuts nearly impossible.
To French cut green beans by hand:
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Line up 4-5 beans and trim the ends evenly.
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Stack the beans and slice lengthwise into thin strips. Aim for 1/8 inch thick or thinner.
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Rotate the beans while slicing to keep the strips even.
But no matter how careful you are, the beans never turn out exactly the same size. The end result is a messy pile of uneven strips. There has to be a better way!
Use a Food Processor for Fast, Even Cuts
A food processor equipped with a slicing disc attachment is the secret to French cutting green beans quickly and evenly. In just seconds, you can turn out perfection julienned beans.
To French cut green beans in a food processor:
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Wash and trim both ends of the green beans. Cut into 2-3 inch lengths to fit feed tube.
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Place slicing disc in processor. This is usually 2-3 mm thick.
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Working in batches, stack beans horizontally in feed tube, not vertically.
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Pulse 2-3 times until beans are thinly sliced. Don’t overcrowd.
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Empty and repeat with remaining beans. That’s it!
With the processor, you can French cut pounds of beans in minutes. No mess, no tears, no frustration! The disc slices the beans into flawless matchsticks every time.
Tips for Using the Food Processor
Follow these tips for best results when using the food processor:
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Arrange beans lying flat, not standing upright. This prevents uneven cuts.
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Don’t overfill the feed tube. Work in smaller batches for control.
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Use quick pulses, not long processing times. You want slender slices, not mush.
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Watch bean thickness. Add more pulses for thinner julienne cuts.
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Clean processor parts promptly after use. Dried on bean juice is hard to remove.
How to Cook French Cut Green Beans
The beauty of French cut green beans is their versatility. You can cook them in various ways:
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Saute: Melt butter or oil in a skillet. Cook beans over medium-high heat just until tender-crisp, 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, herbs.
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Roast: Toss beans with oil, spread on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for 10-15 minutes until browned and tender.
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Steam: Place in a steamer basket over boiling water. Steam for 2-4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
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Blanch: Boil in salted water for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Shock in ice water to stop cooking.
Their slender shape lets you add them to pastas, stir fries, salads and more. French cut green beans pair deliciously with garlic, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, cheese and other veggies.
Make Ahead and Freezing Tips
To get a head start on dinner, French cut your beans in advance:
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Store raw, cut beans in a container in the fridge up to 5 days.
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Blanch first, then pat dry and freeze in an airtight container up to 8 months.
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Portion beans into recipe-ready amounts before freezing for easy meals.
The Perfect Side Dish
French cut green beans add flair and elegance to any plate. Their delicate appearance and tender bite make them an excellent accompaniment to all kinds of entrees.
Next time you serve up chicken, fish, burgers or meatloaf, go beyond the basic whole green bean. Impress your family and guests with slender, graceful French cut green beans. They pair beautifully with all your favorite main dishes.
With the food processor method, French cut beans are easy to make anytime. No special equipment needed. Simply slice, cook and enjoy these refined, elegant beans.
French Cut Beans Food Hack
Part of the popularity of green beans is that they require little prep. Just a few simple steps, and you are off to cooking. Not so much with French cut beans unless you use this hack. But first, here is how to prepare loose or bagged beans.
- Add green beans to a large bowl of water.
- Add ¼ cup baking soda.
- Soak for 15 minutes.
- Rinse and dry green beans.
- Collect a handful of beans and line up one end.
- Cut off the string-like stems on each side.
What are Green Beans
It is common to grow green beans all over the world, and they may be the most popular pod beans in the world. They not only come in different colors but also have a few different names. Sometimes they are referred to as string beans. Even less common, they are called snap beans. They are all the same bean.
Unlike other types of beans, green beans are picked and eaten with their pods still attached before the seeds inside are fully grown. This is similar to unripe peas like snow peas or sugar snap peas.
How to Cut French Style Green Beans (Food Hack)
FAQ
What is the difference between cut green beans and French cut green beans?
Why do French cut green beans taste different?
How do you cut green beans?
The secret is the slicer blade. To begin, cut the green beans to fit the mouth of your feed tube. Stack the beans horizontally (not sticking straight up) and gently press them through. In less than 5 seconds your job is done. French-cut success! I like mine sauteed with butter and shallots. Try this method and you’ll see that it works.
How to cook French cut green beans?
Sautéing is another popular method for cooking French-cut green beans. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the green beans and sauté for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally. You can add garlic, salt, and pepper to enhance the flavor. Once they are tender, remove the green beans from the heat and they are ready to be served.
How do you slice green beans French-style?
Slicing green beans French-style, however, can be accomplished a few different ways. Besides the manual process, which involves using a knife to make thin strips, you can also use a food processor. First, you’ll need to have a slicer blade.
How do you cook green beans in a food processor?
Use a household green bean frencher, which can only do one to a few beans at a time. Cut your washed green beans in half so that they’ll fit horizontally into the feed tube of your food processor. Take a handful of beans at a time and place the green beans horizontally into your feed tube and pulse a couple of times. Repeat until finished.