How to Boil Green Beans

There are so many ways to serve green beans, but learning how to boil green beans is the classic preparation. The debate still rages about whether green beans should be served crisp or tender. While we won’t settle that dispute today, I’ll show you how to boil green beans and let you make that decision yourself.

Prepare the Green Beans

Prepare green beans by washing them thoroughly, the remove their tops and tails. When you get rid of both ends of green beans, you can get rid of the long strings that run the length of the green bean. These can be an annoyance to your guest, if you leave them.

Once you have removed the green bean tops and tails, you can decide whether to leave the green beans whole or cut them into smaller slices. Most people tend to leave them as-is, long and recognizable.

How to Prepare Green Beans

To prepare to boil your green beans, snap the tails and tops off the green beans. These are the pointed parts on either end of the bean. Wash the beans thoroughly, before putting them in the water.

Boiling Green Beans

Fill a saucepan about 25% with water. Add salt and other spices, as desired. Many people add ham or bacon to green beans, to add taste.

Put the green beans into the water and bring the water to a boil, letting the beans simmer. When the water comes to a boil, turn down the heat, so the water doesn’t boil off. If it does, you’ll scorch your beans.

How Long to Boil Green Beens

How to Boil Green Beans

How to Boil Green Beans

How long to boil green beans? Cook for approximately 25 minutes. Check to see if the beans are tender, then spice the beans. Let them simmer another 20 to 30 minutes.

The main decision for when to stop boiling green beans is when you decide they are tender enough for you. Also, some people add potato chunks to green beans halfway through the cooking process.

Blanch the Green Beans

Another option is to blanch green beans quickly. Blanch your green beans by boiling them for 3 or 4 minutes. This removes the skin of your green beans. You want your beans to be somewhat tender, yet have a little bit of crispness to them. Determine the crispness, by how long you boil them.

Boiling Green Beans

As you can see, there are a number of different options when boiling green beans. Different spices and other ingredients are used to add taste, so when you learn how to boil green beans, remember to perfect the green bean preparation that fits your tastes and the taste of your family.

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