How Long to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave for Perfect Results

Its possible to learn how to microwave green beans with delicious results. You might ask, “Why would I ever want to do this when it’s so easy to sauté them with shallots, hazelnuts, and tarragon leaves?”

I sometimes want to get dinner on the table without actually cooking, especially during the long stretches of hot summer nights in July and August. Microwaving green beans helps me do that. On nights like these, it may seem like too much work to even boil water for a handful of green beans. (Though Id gladly dunk my face in the bowl of ice water. So, many meals are made with nothing more than slicing tomatoes in season and adding olive oil and flaky sea salt. But man cannot live on tomatoes alone (Ive tried).

There are countless foods that require a bit of actual, you know, cooking to eat. Green beans are one such vegetable.

Enter the microwave. The microwave isn’t the all-in-one cooking machine that it used to be advertised as, but it’s surprisingly good at some things. And that includes cooking green beans. All you really need is a bit of garlic, butter, and water. Heres how to cook green beans in the microwave:

Steaming green beans in the microwave is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook this healthy veggie. But exactly how long should you microwave steam green beans? The steaming time can vary based on several factors. Follow this guide to learn how long to microwave steam fresh green beans to get tender, crisp-cooked results every time.

Why Steam Green Beans in the Microwave?

Microwave steaming is an ideal cooking method for green beans. Here are some of the key benefits:

Speed – Green beans can be perfectly steamed in the microwave in just 6-8 minutes. Much faster than stovetop steaming.
Retains Nutrients – Steaming preserves more vitamins and minerals than boiling The microwave helps lock in even more nutrients
Crisp Texture – Microwave steaming produces tender beans with a nice crunch No mushy beans here!
Easy Clean-Up – Simply wash the microwave-safe dish. No pots or steamers to scrub.
Uses Less Water – Requires just a small amount of water to create steam. Helps concentrate flavor.
Hands-Off Cooking – Just set the microwave and walk away. Much easier than stovetop steaming.

Factors That Affect Steaming Time

Several factors impact how long you’ll need to steam green beans in the microwave:

Amount of Beans – Steaming time increases with more beans. Reduce time for smaller portions.
Size of Beans – Slender beans cook faster than larger, thicker beans. Cut large beans in half.
Microwave Wattage – Higher watts cook faster. Reduce time for 1200+ watt models.
Water Amount – More water creates more steam to cook beans quicker. Use 1-3 Tbsp water per lb.
Dish Size – Beans need room to steam. Avoid overcrowding in too small a dish.
Altitude – Foods cook slower at high altitudes. Add 10% to the cook time if 1 mile above sea level.

How to Prepare Green Beans for Steaming

Proper prepping is essential for quick, even steaming. Follow these steps:

Wash beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
Trim ends and stems for uniform cooking. Leave tips intact for presentation.
Halve extra-large beans lengthwise so they cook evenly.
Spread in a shallow microwave-safe dish in a single layer.
Add water – 1-3 Tbsp per 1 lb of beans. More water = faster cooking.
Season with salt, garlic, herbs as desired. Add fresh herbs after steaming.
Cover loosely with lid or vented plastic wrap to allow steam to release.

Recommended Microwave Steaming Times

Here are the typical steaming times based on quantity of green beans:

1 lb green beans: 6-7 minutes
1 1/2 lbs green beans: 7-8 minutes
2 lbs green beans: 8-9 minutes

For smaller amounts, reduce time by a minute or two. For extra-tender beans, add 1-2 minutes. Stir or rearrange beans halfway through cooking for even steaming.

Times are based on a 1100 watt microwave. Reduce time for higher wattage or increase time for lower wattage models.

Step-by-Step Microwave Steaming Instructions

Follow these simple steps for perfect steamed green beans:

Prep 1 lb fresh green beans. Wash, trim ends, halve large beans.
Place in microwave-safe dish in a single layer. Add 2 Tbsp water.
Cover dish loosely with lid or vented plastic wrap.
Microwave 6-7 minutes until fork tender. Rearrange beans halfway through.
Remove cover carefully. Drain excess water. Season with salt, olive oil, garlic.
Transfer green beans to serving bowl. Garnish with lemon juice or fresh herbs. Enjoy!

Check beans frequently and adjust time if needed based on microwave wattage and desired tenderness.

Microwaving Tips for Best Results

Follow these microwaving tips and tricks for delicious steamed green beans:

Choose young, slender beans for quickest cooking times.
Cut a small slit lengthwise in extra-large beans to help them cook evenly.
Arrange beans in a spoke pattern for most even cooking.
Add fresh herbs just before serving to preserve flavor.
Allow beans to rest 2-3 minutes after cooking for continued steaming.
For extra flavor, toss cooked beans with minced garlic or toasted nuts.
Slightly undercook beans to maintain vibrant green color.

Common Steaming Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to over or under steam green beans. Here are some common errors:

Not adding enough water leads to uneven, poor steaming.
Adding too much water results in soggy, waterlogged green beans.
Overcrowding the dish prevents proper steaming. Beans need room.
Cooking beans straight from the fridge leads to uneven cooking. Bring to room temp first.
Not stirring halfway through prevents even exposure to steam.
Covering too tightly creates excess steam that overcooks beans. Vent cover.
Not allowing beans to rest after cooking stops the cooking process prematurely.

Microwave Steaming Safety Tips

Steaming in the microwave is generally safe but here are a few tips:

Use BPA-free, microwave-safe containers. Avoid plastic wraps containing BPA and phthalates.
Allow cooked beans to rest before consuming to prevent steam burns.
Remove cover carefully, tilted away from you, to prevent burns from escaping steam.
Don’t cook frozen green beans. Always thaw first for food safety.

Follow these microwave steaming recommendations for tender, perfectly cooked green beans in just minutes! It doesn’t get much easier than this.

how long do you steam green beans in the microwave

Smash some Garlic and Gather Your Other Ingredients

Putting some garlic on your microwaved green beans will give them the wonderful smell and strong flavor you want. Smash a garlic clove with a chefs knife and remove its peel. Chop the garlic. Then cut a tablespoon of butter into small knobs.

Trim Your Green Beans

You want to trim the tough, knobby ends of your green beans off—theyre difficult to chew through. The thin ends of the green beans are fine to eat! To get rid of the ends, pinch off each one individually. (Youll feel them give at the ends naturally when you snap them off. ) This can be a relaxing activity while youre watching TV or sitting outside on a lazy afternoon. Its also a great task to give to the kids. If you’re in a hurry, though, you can just line up a bunch of green beans with their stems facing each other on a cutting board and use a chefs knife to cut off the ends.

Microwave-Steamed Garlic Green Beans- Martha Stewart

FAQ

How long does it take to steam green beans in the microwave?

Add just enough water to cover the bottom by about 1/8 inch. Sprinkle the beans with a pinch of salt. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, making sure to seal the edges well. Microwave on high power for 4 minutes for crisp-tender (perfect for salads) or 5-6 minutes for tender (preferred by my kids).

How long does it take to steam greens in the microwave?

Microwave on high! Firmer vegetables like turnips or potatoes may take 6-8 minutes, and softer, moister veg like broccoli will take less – around 4 minutes. Leafy greens like spinach may only take 3! Check your veg is tender but still crisp (not soggy) and season to taste.

How do you steam in a microwave when cooking?

3. Microwave steaming: Add a little water to a microwave-safe bowl and then the food or ingredients. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, poke holes in the plastic, and cook in the microwave in 30-second increments until the ingredients cook.

Is it better to steam or boil green 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.