How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave

How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave for a quick, simple, and delicious weeknight side dish.

Hey, need something green for your plate and don’t feel like getting out a pot or pan? How about making some green beans in the microwave tonight?

I’ve shared a couple of these vegetables in the microwave posts on the site over the last year (Broccoli in the Microwave and Cauliflower in the Microwave), and they’ve been pretty popular.

I think a lot of us are looking for the quickest and easiest ways to add more vegetables to our diets, and the best vegetable side is the vegetable side that you will actually make.

With a veggie side this simple, there’s no reason not to.

Steaming green beans in the microwave instead of on the stove gives you the same beautiful, delicious, bright green green beans, tender, with just a little crisp bite left, but no steamer basket required.

Once steamed, you can toss with butter and salt or a little fried garlic like in my No-fail Butter and Garlic Green Beans and serve with something equally delicious and easy like Tri-tip in the Oven, Country-style Pork Ribs, or Salsa Chicken.

How to Cook Green Beans in the Microwave

Place washed and trimmed green beans in a microwave-safe bowl. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons.

Cover bowl with a plate and microwave for 4 to 6 minutes, until green beans are tender.

Carefully remove plate (the steam will be hot), drain liquid and add a tab of butter to the bowl. Toss to coat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Serve with something simple and easy, and enjoy!

Looking for more easy vegetable sides? Try this Oven-roasted Broccoli, Green Beans with Bacon, and Oven-roasted Butternut Squash.

5 from 2 votes

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How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave

How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave for a quick, simple, and delicious weeknight side dish.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 7 minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 60 kcal

Author Tracy

Ingredients

• 1 pound fresh green beans washed and trimmed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablesooon butter
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Place washed and trimmed green beans in a microwave-safe bowl. Add just enough water to cover the bottom of the bowl, 2 to 3 tablespoons.

2. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 4 to 6 minutes, until green beans are just tender.

3. Carefully remove plate (the steam will be hot), drain any remaining liquid, and add about a tablespoon of butter to the bowl. Toss to coat and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Serve and enjoy!