Instant Pot green beans will help you perfectly steam green beans from fresh or frozen in about 10 minutes from start to finish! A versatile side for weeknight dinners, gatherings, and the holidays!
Table of contents
Why You'll Love Instant Pot Green Beans
Although green beans aren’t complicated to make, using an Instant Pot is my go-to simple method to cook green beans from fresh or frozen. Unlike boiled green beans, there’s no chance of waterlogged greens. The dish is also much lighter than a green bean casserole and healthier than brown sugar green beans.
The method is quick, simple, foolproof, and produces even tender-crisp results every single time. Even better, green beans are a diet-friendly and healthy addition to your table. They’re packed with several vitamins and minerals (including vitamins A, C, and K, plus folate), loaded with antioxidants, and high in fiber while low in calories. Plus, they’re naturally gluten-free, vegan, low-carb, keto, and this method requires no oil.
You really only need a few ingredients to bring out the flavors in green beans (with plenty of ways to adapt the seasonings and add-ins to your liking!), too, for a crowd-pleasing, delicious, healthy side dish for family dinners, potlucks, parties, BBQs, and the holidays alongside other simple veggie sides like Instant Pot garlic mash and air fryer asparagus.
The Ingredients
- Green beans: It’s best to use fresh green beans (also called string beans/French beans), though you can also cook Instant Pot frozen green beans.
- Vegetable broth: Use your favorite veg broth (in liquid form or a bouillon powder/cube combined with water). Use reduced-sodium broth if preferred.
- Lemon: A small amount of lemon juice over the beans when serving really adds brightness and depth. Add even more zing with a little lemon zest, too.
- Salt & black pepper: To season the green beans to taste.
- Plant-based parmesan: (optional) or some nutritional yeast to garnish.
Tip when buying green beans: Look out for vibrant green beans with no bruising, brown spots, or mushiness. They should snap when bent and not look or feel too dry.
How Else Can I Season Green Beans?
Once cooked, the Instant Pot steamed green beans can be seasoned and paired with several additional ingredients to boost the texture, color, and flavor. Here are some of my favorite options.
- Dairy-free butter: To toss into the pressure cooker green beans before serving for a rich, 'buttery' flavor. A herby compound vegan butter/garlic butter would also taste delicious.
- Red pepper flakes: To add some heat.
- Garlic: Minced (when sauteed) or garlic powder.
- Vegan bacon: Fry a few slices of vegan bacon, chop into thin strips, and stir into the Instant Pot green beans when serving.
- Nuts/Seeds: Sprinkle the green beans with toasted walnuts, pecans, slivered almonds, pumpkin seeds, etc., when serving for a crunch and toasty flavor.
How to Make Instant Pot Green Beans
Follow just five super simple steps to prepare Instant Pot fresh green beans.
- 1) First, rinse and trim the green beans. It’s easiest to grab a bundle, line up the ends, and chop off the ends in one go. If you’re using a bouillon cube/powder, dissolve it in hot water now.
- 2) Then, place the steamer basket in the bottom of your Instant Pot/electric pressure cooker and pour the veg broth into the pot.
- 3) Spread the green beans across the steamer basket and then seal the lid and the vent knob and cook on manual HIGH pressure for 0 minutes (1-2 minutes for softer green beans) before carefully using the quick release, turning the valve to the venting position, to release excess steam.
How do the beans cook in 0-2 minutes? In the time it takes to bring the IP to full pressure, it will actually be cooking the beans!
- 4) Then, use tongs to remove the steamed green beans from the pressure cooker and transfer them to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and some fresh lemon juice (I usually use about ½ lemon). Taste and adjust if preferred, and optionally garnish with vegan parmesan cheese – enjoy!
For Instant Pot frozen green beans: If the beans are fairly thin, they should still cook perfectly in ‘0’ minutes. For thicker green beans, 1 minute will work best.
Want to save this recipe?
For Sauteed Green Beans in Instant Pot
You can sauté the fresh green beans in the Instant Pot with just an extra couple of steps. After cooking the green beans, empty the water from the Instant Pot, place it back in the IP and turn to sauté mode. Next, add vegan butter or olive oil until hot/melted.
Then, optionally, add minced garlic if using and sauté for 30 seconds before adding the green beans and sautéing for just 2-3 minutes. Then season and serve.
FAQs
You could try crisscrossing the beans over the metal trivet insert. Alternatively, you can cook the beans directly in the liquid in a pinch. In that case, only use ¼ cup liquid.
That’s the most impressive thing about this recipe. Cooking green beans in an Instant Pot requires just 0-1 MINUTES of active pressure cooking time! If you want slightly ‘crisp’ green beans, follow that up by sautéing them in the pot for a further 2-3 minutes with vegan butter or olive oil.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Adjust the green bean texture: Cook fresh green beans for 0 minutes for tender-crisp green beans and 1-2 minutes for tender beans or if you’re cooking a double batch.
- For a slightly crisp texture: Transfer the steamed green beans to a hot skillet to sauté with a little olive oil or vegan butter.
- Save even more time: You may be able to purchase pre-trimmed fresh green beans.
- Use hot broth: If the liquid is already hot, the Instant Pot will take less time to reach full pressure.
Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot green bean recipe is a versatile side dish that will pair with almost any meal, including a simple protein + grain + veggie combination, warm pasta dishes, potatoes, vegan burgers, family dinners, and as part of your holiday spread.
Storage Recommendations
Make ahead: You can trim the green beans a day or two in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
Store: Allow the green beans to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days.
Freeze: While you can freeze it for up to three months, the green beans will become softer upon thawing, so keep that in mind.
Reheat: You can reheat the steamed beans in a microwave or lightly sauté them with a little oil.
More Vegan Instant Pot Recipes
- Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Perfect Instant Pot Basmati Rice
- Vegan Instant Pot Mexican Rice
- Perfect Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
- Vegan Corn Chowder [Stove, IP + Crock Pot]
- Instant Pot Apple Cider
If you try this easy Instant Pot green beans recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments below. I’d also really appreciate a recipe card rating!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Instant Pot Green Beans [Fresh or Frozen]
Equipment
- pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1 vegetable boullion cube
- 1 cup of hot water
- 1 pound of green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Plant-based parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Instructions
- Dissolve the boullion in hot water. Place the steamer basket at the bottom of your electric pressure cooker. Add the green beans and pour the bullion cube water mixture into the pressure cookert and close the lid.
- Set to: Pressure Cook, Low Pressure, at zero minutes. For softer green beans, set to one minute.
- After the timer has ended, do a quick release and carefully open the lid. Carefully remove the steaming hot green beans from the pressure cooker and transfer them into a bowl.
- Season with salt, pepper, and squeeze ½ lemon. Taste and add more if needed. Optionally, garnish with parmesan cheese if using. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
- Adjust the green bean texture: Cook fresh green beans for 0 minutes for tender-crisp green beans and 1-2 minutes for tender beans or if you’re cooking a double batch.
- For a slightly crisp texture: Transfer the steamed green beans to a hot skillet to sauté with a little olive oil or vegan butter.
- Save even more time: You may be able to purchase pre-trimmed fresh green beans.
- Use hot broth: If the liquid is already hot, the Instant Pot will take less time to reach full pressure.
Andrea White says
so easy and quick in the IP! love these green beans!
Ashley says
As a vegan who uses my instant pot almost every day, I'm excited to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Andrea says
Let us know what you think 🙂
Katie says
These green beans are incredible! I made them with frozen green beans and they turned out fantastically. This is definitely a new go-to side dish!
Andrea says
Right?! Such an easy and nutritious side dish!
Holly says
So easy and the vegetable bouillon is a nice touch.
Andrea says
Definitely adds some nice flavor to the dish!
Brittney J. says
Mmmmm! As a Southerner, green beans are a big staple in our dishes. This recipe sounds delightful! 🙂
Andrea says
You're going to love it!
nancy says
perfect timing for these green beans. They came out tender and still crisp. printed for reference
Andrea says
So glad you enjoyed these IP green beans!
nancy says
found a bag of frozen beans in my freezer that i didn't know what to do with. This recipe came to my rescue
Andrea says
Perfect timing!
Gina H. says
Perfection! I love green beans and I never thought to make them in the Instant Pot. Soo good!
Andrea says
It makes it that much easier to enjoy in the IP!
Beatriz Buono-Core says
These green beans are so so good!
Andrea says
Yess! Such an easy way to enjoy these yummy greens!
Erin says
So simple, yet so delicious!
Andrea says
Agreed! So simple and delicious!
Rachel says
Love how fast it is to make these green beans in the instant pot! So easy!
Andrea says
Same! The IP makes it so easy to whip up and enjoy!