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Perfectly Cooked Green Beans

A simple guide to cooking green beans perfectly tender while retaining their vibrant crispness through the method of blanching.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Healthy Side, Vegetable Side
Cuisine: American
Calories: 90
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound Fresh Green Beans Select bright, crisp ones for best flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Kosher Salt Used in boiling water; enhances flavor.
  • 1 bowl Ice for Ice Bath Stops the cooking process and retains color and texture.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse the beans in a colander and use your fingers or a knife to snap off or trim the ends.
  2. Bring a pot of generously salted water to a boil. A good rule of thumb is 2 tablespoons of salt per quart of water.
  3. Prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes.
Cooking
  1. Place the beans in the boiling water. If you want to enjoy them as is, boil for 3-5 minutes until tender but still crisp.
  2. For further cooking like sautéing, boil them for only 2-3 minutes.
  3. Use long tongs to remove the beans and immediately plunge them into the ice bath to chill.
  4. Drain the beans, place them on paper towels, and blot dry.

Notes

Serve your perfectly cooked green beans alongside roasted chicken, grilled steak, or as part of a colorful salad. You can store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days. For freezing, blanch and then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 6 months.