These Microwaved Green Beans are the perfect easy weeknight side dish. Flavored with fresh lemon zest and almonds, they are ready in under 10 minutes. And you don't even have to turn on the stove!
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In this post I show you how to steam green beans in the microwave, for a deliciously flavorful side dish that could not be easier.
Using the microwave is actually a perfect way to cook green beans.
It's fast, economical and you lose very little of the vegetables nutritious value. Plus crucially for the holidays, this simple way of cooking doesn't take up valuable oven or stove space!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love Microwaved Green Beans
- Ingredients
- How to steam Green Beans in the microwave- Step-By-Step
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Variations & Substitutions for Easy Green Beans
- Tips & Tricks
- How To Serve
- Pin This Microwaved Green Beans with Lemon & Almonds Recipe For Later
- What Do You Think?!
- More Easy Side Dish Recipe Ideas
- Printable Recipe
- Green Beans in the Microwave
- Reader Comments & Ratings
Why You'll Love Microwaved Green Beans
- Any dish that can be prepared, cooked and on the table in 10 minutes is a winning dish any night of the week.
- Don't let the ease of preparation food you! This easy side dish is packed full of flavor.
- Microwaving is one of the easiest ways to cook veggies since it takes less time and you retain so much of their nutritious goodness.
- When your stove is full, this green bean recipe is the perfect holiday side.
- If you like easy vegetable side dishes why not try these Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes or this Charred Broccolini with Lemon and Chili. This Grilled Asparagus in Foil is also super easy to make.
Ingredients
Find the full list and quantities in the recipe below.
Green Beans - I use fresh green beans (also known as French beans or string beans), but this recipe would work with frozen beans too, just cook from frozen and adapt the cooking time accordingly. This recipe would also work with sugar snap peas or asparagus too.
Butter - You can use either salted or unsalted butter in this dish. If using salted butter just adapt the seasoning to suit. I sometimes like to add an extra tablespoon of butter - especially if I'm cooking for the holidays.
Lemon - lemon zest adds a real zing to this simple side. Make sure to use unwaxed lemons.
Almonds - I add flaked/slivered almonds as they taste better without their skin in this dish. You could swap the almonds for other nuts or some toasted seeds.
How to steam Green Beans in the microwave- Step-By-Step
Find the full printable recipe card below.
Wash, drain and trim the green beans then add to a microwave safe dish or bowl.
Add two inches of water in the bottom of the bowl and season generously with sea salt and pepper. (There has to be enough water to steam the green beans)
Cover the dish with either a tight fitting lid or microwave safe plastic wrap - the beans inside need to steam so the dish needs to be properly sealed.
Microwave on high power for 4 minutes for al dente 'tender crisp' or 6 minutes for more tender beans.
Carefully remove the beans from the microwave using oven mitts and remove the plastic wrap or lid. Be careful of the steam which will escape as this can scald.
Drain the beans using a strainer then transfer to serving dish.
Add butter, sprinkle over lemon zest and almonds slices then serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vegetables which are cooked in the microwave nutritious?
Cooking vegetables in a microwave is a healthy option as the vegetables steam. This retains more of their healthy vitamins and minerals than you would if boiling the veggies.
How long should you cook green beans in the microwave?
I cook trimmed green beans on high for 4 minutes for al dente beans and 6 minutes for tender beans. Note these cooking times may change slightly depending on the wattage of your microwave, so adapt to suit.
Can you make microwaved green beans ahead of time for this quick side dish?
As they only take 10 minutes to prepare and cook, I like to cook green beans just before serving. This results in delicious beans that still have the right amount of bite.
However, leftover beans can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days in an airtight container or plastic bag. Then when ready to heat up, pop them back into the microwave for a minute to warm through.
Variations & Substitutions for Easy Green Beans
There are so many combinations of flavors you can choose for this healthy side dish:
- Stir through some chopped fresh herbs just before serving like parsley, tarragon, mint or thyme.
- Swap the almonds for some hazelnuts, or some toasted seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Red pepper flakes can add just a touch of heat.
- Add a clove of garlic, finely minced, for some extra flavor. Or some garlic powder.
- Grate over some fresh Parmesan cheese.
- Add some chopped cherry tomatoes just before serving.
- Serve with a tablespoon of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar instead of the lemon and butter.
It's worth noting that I used regular green beans but Haricot Verts would also be delicious, and usually cook in slightly less time.
Tips & Tricks
- Season the green beans with salt before cooking as this will make a big difference to the finished dish.
- If you're not eating the beans straight away after microwaving, plunge them into ice water. This helps to make sure they stay bright green. You can then warm them through later.
- This dish only uses zest of lemon, so I like to then juice the lemon, place it into an ice-cube tray and freeze. Perfect for adding to dishes when a burst of fresh lemon juice is needed.
- If you need to save more time use ready washed and trimmed green beans.
How To Serve
This is a great side dish for serving alongside any main dish. I love to serve it with my my ever popular shortcut Kitchenaid Mashed Potatoes Green beans are a classic accompaniment to Pan Seared Scallops and go well with any family favorite chicken dish like these Creamy Tomato Spinach Chicken Breasts.
Pin This Microwaved Green Beans with Lemon & Almonds Recipe For Later
What Do You Think?!
I'd love to know what you think about this recipe! I'd be so grateful if you scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a star rating and comment.
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More Easy Side Dish Recipe Ideas
Printable Recipe
Green Beans in the Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 lb Green Beans - trimmed
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Lemon - finely grated zest only
- ¼ cup Toasted Sliced Almonds
- Sea Salt and Black Pepper
Instructions
- Wash, drain and trim the green beans.
- Add to a microwave-safe bowl or microwave-safe dish.
- Add two inches of water in the bottom of the bowl.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover the dish with either a tight fitting microwave-safe lid or microwave safe plastic wrap (the beans inside need to steam).
- Microwave on high power for 4 minutes for al dente and 6 minutes for tender beans.
- Remove from microwave with oven mitts.
- Carefully remove the plastic wrap or lid and drain into a strainer.
- Transfer to serving dish, add 2 tablespoons of butter and sprinkle over lemon zest and almonds slices.
Jayne says
Love the look of this.
Jo Keohane says
Thanks so much, got to get the microwave working!!