Beans were once grown primarily for their storage qualities to help people get through the winter. But once people learned that young green beans could also be cooked and eaten, bean breeders started making beans without strings. Gardeners and cooks appreciated the lower workload, and most modern green beans don’t have strings.
Green beans are a delicious vegetable that can be prepared in many ways. However, the fibrous, stringy threads that run along the seams of the bean pod can make them unpleasant to eat. Removing these strings from green beans is an essential step before cooking them. With the right techniques, you can enjoy tender, stringless green beans perfect for any recipe.
Why You Should Remove Strings from Green Beans
The strings in green bean pods are made of fiber When you bite into an un-stringed green bean, these fibers can get caught in your teeth or stick in your throat when swallowing. Removing the strings makes green beans more palatable and enjoyable to eat.
In mature oversized green beans the strings tend to be very fibrous and tough. But even young, petite beans have fine strings that are noticeable when you eat them. Taking the time to remove the strings results in a better texture and experience when eating green beans.
When to Remove the Strings
Strings can be removed either before or after cooking green beans. Here are the pros and cons:
Removing Strings Before Cooking
Pros:
-
Removes strings from raw beans quickly and easily.
-
Beans cook more evenly without tough strings.
-
Works for any cooking method – boiling, steaming, sautéing, etc.
Cons
-
Raw green beans can be slippery and difficult to handle.
-
Must prep beans before cooking.
Removing Strings After Cooking
Pros:
-
Cooking makes beans easier to handle.
-
Can be done right before serving.
Cons:
-
Cooked beans are more delicate and prone to breaking.
-
Strings can be harder to see and remove when beans are hot.
-
Not ideal for green beans that will be served cold or at room temperature.
How to Remove Strings from Raw Green Beans
Removing strings from raw green beans takes just a minute or two. Here are three easy methods:
1. Use a Knife
With a sharp paring knife or other small blade, simply top and tail each bean then scrape along the seam on both sides to remove the strings. Start at the stem end and pull the knife towards the tip.
Pros:
- Precise removal of strings.
- Works for any amount of beans.
Cons:
- Time consuming for large batches.
- Risk of cutting beans if knife slips.
2. Snip with Kitchen Shears
Kitchen shears allow you to quickly snip off the stem and tip from each bean, then cut along the seam to remove strings.
Pros:
- Faster than using a knife.
- Easy to control.
Cons:
- Hand straining for large amounts.
- Can crush beans if not careful.
3. Run a Fork Along the Seams
Drag a fork along the seam of the bean, using the tines to scrape off strings.
Pros:
- Fast, easy, no tools needed.
- Good for busy cooks.
Cons:
- Does not remove every bit of string.
- Beans may tear more than other methods.
How to Remove Strings from Cooked Green Beans
If you prefer to remove strings after cooking green beans, here are two simple methods:
Use a Potato Peeler
A swivel blade potato peeler allows you to easily peel the strings away. Scrape along the inner and outer seams.
Pros:
- Fast and easy.
- Minimal bean damage.
Cons:
- Need an additional tool.
- Can miss some strings.
Rub Beans Between Towels
Fold a dish towel over the beans and rub vigorously to cause the strings to ball up and remove easily.
Pros:
- No tools needed.
- Simple and quick.
Cons:
- Beans may tear more than other methods.
- Does not remove all strings.
Serving Stringless Green Beans
Once you’ve removed those pesky strings, you can now highlight the sweet flavor of green beans and enjoy their tender crisp texture. Here are serving ideas for stringless green beans:
- Toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper then roast or grill.
- Top with browned butter and toasted nuts.
- Include in a fresh salad or slaw.
- Sauté with garlic and herbs.
- Serve steamed and drizzled with lemon.
- Add to a stir fry or curry.
Tips for Preparing Stringless Green Beans
Follow these tips for getting perfect, stringless green beans every time:
-
Choose slender, thinner beans which tend to have less fibrous strings. Avoid large, bulging beans.
-
Prep beans right before cooking for maximum freshness.
-
Handle beans gently to avoid bruising or breaking.
-
Chill beans after stringing to crisp them up before cooking.
-
Trim ends evenly so beans cook at the same rate.
-
Cook beans quickly until just tender-crisp. Overcooking makes strings more noticeable.
-
Chill leftover cooked beans in liquid to prevent drying out.
Enjoy Tender, Stringless Green Beans
Taking a little extra time to remove the strings from green beans makes a huge difference in taste and texture. With the simple techniques in this guide, you can enjoy the true flavor of fresh green beans without the annoyance of fibrous strings getting in your way. Crisp, slender, and stringless – green beans are a tasty addition to any meal when prepared properly.
About Green Bean Strings
At one time, all bean varieties had a tough, fibrous string along the inside center of the bean. The texture of this string was very different from the rest of the bean pod, and not many people liked the strings. Either the string was cut off completely, or the beans were cut into smaller pieces. This left some of the pod tough.
Stringless Bean Varieties
Most of these are bush types. Although called green beans, they may also be yellow, purple or streaked. Commonly available:
- Blue Lake (pole or bush)
- Kentucky Wonder (pole or bush)
- Contender
- Roc d’ Or
- Purple Pod
- Greencrop
- Empress
- Jade
- Alicante.
How to Snap and String Green Beans Correctly
FAQ
How do you cook green beans so they are not stringy?
Why do my green beans have strings?
Can you remove strings from green beans?
Yes, you can manually remove the strings by snapping off the stem end of the green bean and pulling it gently down the length of the pod. However, this can be time-consuming. 6. Does blanching green beans help reduce stringiness?
How do you remove the string from a green bean?
To remove the string from a green bean, pull the broken stem end downward. Then, cut or snap off the other end and discard the string. Green beans, also known as snap or string beans, are not the only beans with strings. For instance, runner beans are a pole bean with showy flowers that produce edible beans with distinct strings.
Do green beans need to be stringed?
Most green bean varieties nowadays are stringless, so I no longer find it necessary to remove the strings. However, if you would like to string your beans snap from one end and pull down (you may use a paring knife to do this) Start by taking a handful of beans, no need to do it one bean at a time, it’s more efficient to prepare them all together.
How do you make green beans less stringy?
Adding a small amount of acid, such as lemon juice or vinegar, while cooking green beans can help break down the strings and reduce their toughness. 11. Should I avoid buying pre-trimmed green beans? Pre-trimmed green beans might save time but are more prone to becoming stringy due to their exposure and potential loss of freshness. 12.