If you’re seeking a brilliantly simple, remarkably healthy, and incredibly budget-friendly vegetable side dish, look no further than this Instant Pot green beans recipe! Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or orchestrating an elaborate holiday feast, green beans cooked in a pressure cooker emerge perfectly tender and bursting with flavor every time. This method not only locks in vital nutrients and vibrant taste but also drastically slashes your preparation time, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals and families who crave both simplicity and satisfaction.
This comprehensive guide will show you precisely how to master Instant Pot fresh green beans, though it’s equally effective for frozen varieties if that’s what you have on hand. The pressure cooker method guarantees perfectly tender green beans in mere minutes, requiring just a few basic ingredients. It’s a fantastic way to transform a fresh farmer’s market haul into a delicious dish or to savor the fruits of your own home garden’s green bean harvest.
Utilizing the Instant Pot for green beans offers significant advantages, primarily saving valuable time compared to traditional boiling or steaming methods. Beyond its efficiency, this recipe stands out for its incredible versatility. You can effortlessly customize the flavor profile to suit any palate, whether by adding a pinch of black pepper, a touch of aromatic garlic, savory sautéed onions, or a bright splash of fresh lemon juice. This adaptable and quick preparation makes Instant Pot green beans a perennial favorite among families, delivering a healthy, flavorful, and incredibly versatile side dish that complements almost any meal.
What We Love About Instant Pot Green Beans
There’s a lot to adore about preparing green beans in your Instant Pot. This method consistently delivers outstanding results, offering a trifecta of benefits that make it a staple in any kitchen.
- Budget-Friendly & Accessible: In a world of rising grocery costs, finding nutritious and affordable ingredients is key. Fresh green beans are readily available at most grocery stores and farmers’ markets, often at a very reasonable price point. Cooking them in the Instant Pot ensures you get the most out of your investment by preserving their texture and flavor, preventing them from becoming mushy or bland.
- Packed with Health Benefits: Green beans are a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with dietary fiber, essential vitamins (like Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A), and vital minerals (such as folate and manganese). They are naturally low in calories and fat, making them an excellent choice for a healthy diet. The pressure cooking method helps retain these valuable nutrients, ensuring you get maximum health benefits with every bite. When cooked properly in the Instant Pot, they are not only incredibly healthy but also surprisingly delicious and satisfying!
- Effortless & Quick: The Instant Pot transforms cooking green beans from a sometimes tedious task into a quick and easy process. Forget endless waiting for water to boil or steaming racks that take up stovetop space. With the Instant Pot, you can achieve perfectly tender green beans with minimal active cooking time, freeing you up to focus on other parts of your meal or simply enjoy your evening.
Looking for more delicious ways to incorporate green beans? Try them in our savory green bean casserole tater tots or our hearty tater tot casserole with turkey recipe.
Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions
This Instant Pot green beans recipe shines with its simplicity, relying on just a few core ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and how you can adapt it to your pantry and preferences:
- Fresh Green Beans: Aim for vibrant, crisp beans that snap easily. Before cooking, ensure they are thoroughly rinsed under cold water and the fibrous ends are neatly trimmed. If using frozen green beans, there’s no need to thaw them first; simply adjust the cooking time slightly (as noted in the instructions) for equally delicious results.
- Water: This is crucial for generating the steam needed for pressure cooking. Using hot water can significantly reduce the time it takes for your Instant Pot to come to pressure, getting dinner on the table even faster. For an added layer of savory depth, consider substituting vegetable or chicken broth for the water.
- Salt: A fundamental flavor enhancer. Start with the recommended amount and adjust to your personal taste after cooking. Sea salt or kosher salt are excellent choices for their clean flavor.
- Butter (optional): Stirring in a knob of butter at the end lends a rich, velvety finish and a delightful gloss to your green beans. For a dairy-free or vegan option, a swirl of olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute works beautifully.
Recipe Variations to Elevate Your Green Beans
While delicious on their own, Instant Pot green beans are a fantastic canvas for various flavor enhancements. Experiment with these ideas to keep your meals exciting:
- Herb & Spice Boost: Season your cooked green beans with a dash of your favorite all-purpose seasoning, a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or a sprinkle of dried herbs like thyme or oregano for an aromatic kick.
- Garlic & Olive Oil: After pressure cooking, toss the hot green beans with a tablespoon of good quality olive oil and 1-2 cloves of freshly minced garlic. The residual heat will gently cook the garlic, infusing the beans with a wonderful aroma.
- Parmesan Perfection: For a cheesy twist, grate fresh Parmesan cheese over the warm green beans just before serving. The cheese will melt slightly, creating a savory coating.
- Smoked Paprika & Lemon: A sprinkle of smoked paprika adds a warm, smoky note, while a squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors.
- Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon: This classic combination is irresistible! Chop 2-3 slices of bacon and sauté them directly in your Instant Pot on the Sauté setting until crispy. Remove the bacon with tongs and set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Carefully wipe out any excess grease from the pot, then proceed with the recipe as usual. Stir the crispy bacon pieces back into the cooked green beans before serving for an explosion of flavor and texture.
- Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during cooking or sprinkle them over the finished dish.
Equipment for Perfect Instant Pot Green Beans
Making delicious green beans in your Instant Pot requires minimal specialized equipment:
- Instant Pot (or any Electric Pressure Cooker): The star of the show! Any model or brand of electric pressure cooker will work for this recipe.
- Steamer Basket: An insert designed to hold food above the liquid in the pot, allowing for even steaming. This helps prevent the beans from becoming waterlogged.
🎯 Pro Tip: Steaming Without a Basket
If you don’t have a dedicated steamer basket, don’t fret! You can easily adapt:
- Use the Trivet: Most Instant Pots come with a wire trivet. Simply place the trivet in the bottom of the pot, ensuring it sits above the water level. Lay your green beans directly on the trivet, arranging them carefully so they don’t fall into the water below.
- DIY Foil Sling: For easier removal, you can create a foil sling. Take two 30-inch strips of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fold them lengthwise into thirds to create sturdy handles. Place these strips in the bottom of your pot to form a cross, then place the green beans on top. Use the ends of the foil as handles to lower and lift the beans.
- Directly in the Pot: As a last resort, you can add the green beans directly to the bottom of the pot over the water. Be mindful that this method might result in slightly softer beans, but they will still be delicious.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Instant Pot Green Beans
Achieving perfectly tender and flavorful green beans in your Instant Pot is incredibly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for success:
- Prepare Your Green Beans: Begin by washing your fresh green beans thoroughly under cool running water. Next, carefully trim off the tough stem ends. You can either snap them off by hand or use a sharp knife for a cleaner cut. No need to trim the wispy tail ends unless you prefer to.
- Set Up the Instant Pot: Pour 1 cup of hot water into the inner pot of your pressure cooker. Using hot water rather than cold will significantly reduce the time your Instant Pot takes to come to pressure, saving you precious minutes. Carefully place your steaming basket or the Instant Pot trivet into the pot, ensuring it sits above the water level.
- Load the Green Beans: Arrange the prepared green beans evenly in the steaming basket or on the trivet. Sprinkle them generously with 1 teaspoon of salt. This seasoning will infuse flavor into the beans as they cook.
- Pressure Cook the Green Beans: Secure the lid onto your Instant Pot and rotate it until it locks into place. Make sure the steam release valve is set to the “Sealing” position (some models require you to press it down or turn a knob).
- Set Cook Time: Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” setting and set the cooking time to High Pressure for 1 minute for fresh green beans. If you are using frozen green beans, increase the cook time to 2 minutes at High Pressure. The Instant Pot will take approximately 6-8 minutes to build pressure before the actual cooking time begins.
- Release Pressure: Once the cooking cycle is complete, the Instant Pot will beep. Immediately perform a quick release of pressure by carefully moving the steam release valve from “Sealing” to “Venting” (or pressing the quick-release button on newer models). Be cautious of the hot steam escaping.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once all the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, open the lid. Use pot holders or tongs to carefully lift out the steamer basket or trivet with the cooked green beans. Transfer them to a serving bowl.
- Final Seasoning: Season your perfectly cooked Instant Pot fresh green beans to taste with additional salt and a tablespoon of butter, if desired. Don’t hesitate to explore the optional variations mentioned earlier, such as a squeeze of lemon juice, minced garlic, or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, to truly personalize your dish.
Expand your Instant Pot repertoire with more fantastic recipes! Pressure cook your breakfast with these savory Instant Pot breakfast potatoes. If you love beans, our Instant Pot white beans no soak recipe and navy beans soup Instant Pot are excellent choices. For a delicious and creamy dinner, you simply must try our chicken thighs and potatoes Instant Pot recipe.
Serving Suggestions for Instant Pot Green Beans
The beauty of these Instant Pot green beans lies in their remarkable versatility. They make an incredibly easy and healthy side dish that pairs harmoniously with just about any main course. Here are some ideas to inspire your next meal:
- Classic Companions: Serve them alongside roasted pork tenderloin, grilled chicken breast, baked salmon, or a juicy steak for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Holiday Feast Essential: A must-have on your holiday table! Their vibrant color and fresh taste perfectly complement richer dishes like turkey, ham, or prime rib.
- Comfort Food Twist: For an extra layer of coziness, top the warm green beans with a sprinkle of shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese, allowing it to melt slightly.
- Add to Main Dishes: Boost the vegetable content of your favorite casseroles or pasta dishes. Stir them into creamy chicken gnocchi or add a burst of freshness to chili cheese tater tot casserole for added nutrition and texture.
- Light Lunch or Snack: Enjoy them chilled as a crunchy, refreshing snack with a side of hummus, a creamy dill dip, or a light vinaigrette.
- Salad Enhancer: Chop them into smaller pieces and add them to green salads or grain bowls for extra texture and nutrients.
- Flavor Pairings: Try pairing them with a sprinkle of toasted almonds, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or a touch of toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds for an Asian-inspired twist.
However you choose to serve them, these Instant Pot green beans are a flavorful, flexible, and healthy addition to your table, sure to become a family favorite.
The Instant Pot is truly a culinary superhero, making it a breeze to get delicious dinners on the table quickly. Beyond steaming vegetables and pressure cooking, its multi-functional capabilities even allow for the pot-in-pot method to create comforting casseroles like our Instant Pot cheesy hash brown casserole recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot Green Beans
Here are some common questions to help you perfect your Instant Pot green beans:
Can I make Instant Pot Green Beans if I don’t have a steamer basket?
Absolutely! The wire trivet that came with your Instant Pot or pressure cooker works perfectly. Simply place the trivet in the pot and lay the beans across it, making sure they don’t fall through. Alternatively, you can create a foil sling (refer to the “Pro Tip” section above for detailed instructions) to easily lower and lift the beans. As a last option, you can even add the green beans directly to the bottom of the pot over the water, though they might be slightly softer.
How long does it take to cook raw beans in an Instant Pot?
Fresh raw green beans cook incredibly quickly in an Instant Pot, requiring only about 1 minute at high pressure for perfectly tender results. If you’re using frozen green beans, increase the cooking time to 2 minutes at high pressure. Remember that the Instant Pot will take an additional 6-8 minutes to come to pressure before the actual cooking time begins.
Can I make this recipe in a Ninja Foodi instead of an Instant Pot?
Yes, certainly! The pressure cooking functions on a Ninja Foodi are very similar to an Instant Pot. Simply follow the pressure cooking directions listed in this recipe, using the corresponding buttons and settings on your Ninja Foodi model. The basic principles of pressure cooking vegetables remain the same across different brands of electric pressure cookers.
Are there any changes for frozen green beans in the Instant Pot?
Yes, there’s one simple adjustment for frozen green beans: increase the pressure cooking time by just 1 minute. So, for frozen green beans, you’ll cook them for 2 minutes at high pressure instead of 1 minute for fresh beans. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand.
How do I store cooked Instant Pot green beans?
These Instant Pot fresh green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. For longer storage, you can also freeze them for up to three months. It’s often best to freeze green beans before cooking if you plan for very long-term storage, but cooked beans freeze well too. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.
Why are my green beans mushy?
Mushy green beans are usually a sign of overcooking. Green beans cook very quickly in the Instant Pot. Ensure you are following the exact cook times (1 minute for fresh, 2 minutes for frozen) and perform a quick pressure release immediately after cooking. If your beans are consistently mushy, try reducing the cooking time by 30 seconds next time.
Can I add other vegetables with the green beans?
For best results, it’s generally recommended to cook vegetables with similar cooking times together. Green beans cook very quickly. If you want to add other quick-cooking vegetables like sliced bell peppers or thin carrot sticks, you might be able to add them with the green beans. However, denser vegetables like potatoes or whole carrots require significantly longer cooking times and should be cooked separately for optimal texture.
Love Easy Vegetable Recipes? Here’s More to Explore…
- Roasted Asparagus and Carrots
- Roasted Jalapenos in Oven
- Easy Shredded Carrots Recipe
- Parmesan Roasted Asparagus
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Instant Pot Green Beans
Renae Gerhardstein
Make quick and easy Instant Pot green beans with fresh or frozen beans! Try this healthy green beans in Instant Pot recipe today.
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot – or other electric pressure cooker
- Steamer basket – or Instant Pot trivet
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans fresh or frozen
- 1 cup hot water *using hot water helps the IP come to pressure faster
- 1 teaspoon salt or more/less to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
Instructions
- Place the beans in a colander and rinse with tap water. Use a knife to trim the ends off. Pour hot water into the inner pot of pressure cooker and place the steaming basket or trivet into the water. *Be sure that it sits higher than the water level.
- Place the green beans in the basket (or set them on the trivet) and season with salt. Twist the Instant Pot lid on, then turn or press the pressure valve to seal the pot, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Manually set the cook time for 1 minute at high pressure. *For frozen green beans, increase time to 2 minutes.
- When the pressure cooking is complete, perform a quick release of pressure, by depressing the sealing button or turning the sealing lever to ‘vent’.
- Using pot holders, carefully lift out the steamer basket, or use tongs to remove the steamed green beans from the trivet. Transfer to a serving bowl, and season to taste with salt and butter, if desired.
Notes
Nutritional facts include unsalted butter.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can use the trivet that came with your Instant Pot pressure cooker and make a foil sling (refer to the “Pro Tip” section above), or just add the green beans to the bottom of the pot over the water.
- How to make a foil sling: Take two 30″ strips of heavy-duty aluminum foil and fold them into thirds, lengthwise. Then you can use the ends of the foil to make handles for lowering and raising the pan. Place them in the bottom of the pot, so they form a cross.
Recipe Variations:
- Season them with all-purpose seasoning for more flavor.
- Add olive oil and minced garlic to your steamed green beans and toss them.
- Grate parmesan cheese on top before serving.
- Make Instant Pot Green Beans with Bacon. Chop and saute the bacon in the Instapot. Then, remove the bacon with tongs on a paper towel. Wipe out the pot. Then pressure cook the beans (as per the recipe) and stir back in the bacon before serving.
Storing Instructions:
- These Instant Pot fresh green beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze them for up to three months, though it is best to store them before cooking.
- When you’re ready to eat them, just reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop until they’re warm.