Quick & Easy Green Beans

Frequently Asked Questions

• Are Green Beans Healthy?

  Green beans are a low-carb vegetable. They offer fiber, plant protein, vitamins C, A, K and folate, as well as other vitamins and minerals. The fiber in green beans is a combination of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is linked to lower cholesterol and a healthier heart.

• Is This Recipe Gluten-Free?

  Yes, this is an excellent recipe to make if you're eating gluten-free.

• Will This Cooking Technique Work with Other Vegetables?

  Absolutely. Try this technique with cut asparagus, broccoli or cauliflower florets, thinly sliced zucchini or yellow squash, or quartered radishes. You can also try with carrot chunks, butternut squash cubes or halved Brussels sprouts; double the cooking time and add more water if the pan dries out. Cook tender leafy greens (spinach, baby kale, Swiss chard or mustard greens) this way; use a Dutch oven or another large pot with a lid.

• What Is the Best Way to Store Green Beans?

  Fresh green beans should remain unwashed until you are ready to use them. Store unwashed beans in the refrigerator crisper drawer for up to seven days. You can keep them in the packaging they came in from the grocery store or put them in a zip-top bag. (Note: The refrigerator crisper drawer makes a difference in keeping vegetables crisp, and it's where you want to store any fresh meat and fish you'll soon be preparing as well.) The beans are still good if they feel firm and you can snap them in two.

  
  If you are still not ready to use the beans after a week, and they're still good, trim the ends and quickly blanch the beans to help preserve their color and texture. (Note: Blanching is easy: Bring a pot of water to boil, and cook beans for two to three minutes. Then, transfer the beans to a bowl of ice water. Pat beans dry.) You can spread them on trays and freeze them before adding them to freezer-safe bags if you wish. Make sure to include a use-by date on the container and check your frozen produce periodically. They should be good for about three months.
  
  Leftover cooked beans should be cooled and then stored immediately in the refrigerator in airtight bags or containers. They should be good for three to five days.

• Do Green Beans Have to Be Trimmed?

  We wouldn't force anyone to trim green beans, but they're much better if you snip off the ends to remove the stem and the little nub on the other end. They will be consistently tender when cooked, and you won't have to worry about anything getting stuck between your teeth. Depending on how many pounds of beans you plan to cook, you can quickly trim them in one of two ways: Snip off the ends using kitchen shears, or line the beans up on a cutting board and slice through the ends all at once.