Steamed fresh green beans in the microwave are tender, vibrant, and ready in just 5 minutes—no steamer basket or boiling water needed. A fast, fresh side for weeknight meals like air fryer whole chicken, oven blackened salmon, oven baked teriyaki chicken thighs, or any main dish that needs a quick side.
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Microwave-steamed green beans take less time than boiling or roasting—just 5 minutes—with no need to heat the oven or boil water.
When it comes to cooking vegetables quickly, this method is hard to beat. The tender green beans are perfectly crisp, vibrantly bright green, and full of fresh flavor, making them a simple way to make a quick, healthy side for busy nights.
For other tasty ways to enjoy green beans, check out my recipes for sautéed canned green beans and roasted frozen green beans, and Paula Deen's southern green bean casserole.
❤️You're Going to Love These
- Microwave steaming is a great way to make tender, crisp green beans in just 5 minutes.
- No pots, pans, or steamer baskets needed, just a microwave-safe dish.
- Simple ingredients: fresh green beans, water, butter, salt, and pepper
- Easy to customize with lemon, toasted almonds, Parmesan, or herbs.
🍋Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Fresh green beans. Trim the stem ends off the green beans by snapping them off individually, or for a quicker method, line up a handful on a cutting board and cut the ends off with a sharp knife.
- Optional toppings. Fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, toasted almonds, fresh herbs, or soy sauce.
🥣How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave
Step 1: Trim green beans. Place trimmed green beans and water in a microwave-safe container. Cover with a plate, lid, or microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave 4-6 minutes until tender.
Step 2: Remove with oven mitts and drain excess liquid. Toss with butter, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl. If desired, top with a squeeze of lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh Parmesan, and toasted almonds.
👉Helpful Hint: To quickly trim the stem ends off the beans, line up a handful against the edge of your knife and cut them all off at once.
✅Top Tips
- Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid, plate, or microwave-safe plastic wrap
- Cook time will vary depending on your microwave wattage. Start checking doneness early so they don't overcook.
🎁Storage
Store leftover microwaved green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warm.
❓FAQ
Yes, it's one of the fastest, easiest ways to cook them. Just add enough water to cover the bottom and microwave for 4–6 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Yes, covering traps the steam that cooks the beans. Use a microwave-safe plate or lid.
Start with 4 minutes and check for doneness—different microwaves vary.
Yes! String beans are just another name for regular green beans. They used to have a tough "string" running down the seam, but most modern varieties don’t anymore.
It’s best to add butter, salt, and pepper after cooking, otherwise all the flavor will get poured out when you drain off the liquid.
Only if it’s labeled microwave-safe—and even then, avoid letting it touch the food. Read more about it here. A plate or microwave-safe lid works just as well.
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📖 Recipe
How to Steam Green Beans in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans, washed and trimmed
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1-2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- salt and pepper, to taste
- optional, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated Parmesan, toasted almonds
Instructions
- Place the green beans and water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a plate and microwave on high power until tender, 4-6 minutes. Drain excess water. Toss with butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper. If desired, top with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, grated Parmesan, and toasted almonds.
Notes
- To quickly trim the stem ends off the beans, line up a handful against the edge of your knife and cut them all off at once.
- Cooking time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave. Start checking doneness early so they don't overcook.
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