Instant Pot green beans are always perfectly steamed beans without the guesswork. Turn them into a side dish, snack, or ingredient for other recipes.
My appreciation for pressure cooker green beans is huge because they're one of those vegetables that can be unappealing if they're not cooked right. These green beans always result in the perfect texture because we use the same pressure cooker setting every time.
Once they're cooked, I like to shock them in ice water to retain their bright green color and perfect texture. As a result, they're really pretty and make the most beautiful vegan green bean casserole. They can even hold their own as a dipping tool for French onion dip. Or, they can be sauteed in a skillet with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and served with chicken, fish, pork, or beef.
What we love about this recipe
- Minimal prep. Simply wash the beans before pressure cooking. There's no need to trim the ends, unless you want to.
- Toss and go. This recipe is hands-free, so no babysitting a stove.
- This recipe is diet friendly: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, whole 30, paleo, and keto.
- Timing. These are ready in about 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Perfectly cooked every single time.
How to cook green beans in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Wash beans and trim the ends, if needed. Place in a colander or steam basket inside the cooker and add water.
Step 2: Close and lock the lid, turn pressure release valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on HIGH for zero minutes for firmer texture or 1 minute for softer texture.
Step 3: When the cook cycle completes, carefully quick-release the steam until the float valve drops. Open the lid and transfer the colander out of the cooker.
Step 4: Place beans in ice water until they're no longer warm, stirring as needed. This is called blanching and it's what makes them retain their bright green color after being pressure cooked.
Step 5: Drain and enjoy immediately or refrigerate for later use.
Recipe tips
- Use any type of fresh green bean for this recipe.
- Don't be alarmed by the zero minute cook time. It simply means we bring the pot up to pressure and right back down. As a result, the beans are tender, yet firm enough for snacking, or sautéing for other recipes.
- If you don't have a steamer basket, any metal or silicone colander that fits your pressure cooker will work. Or, you can use a trivet to keep the beans from sitting in the water.
More pressure cooker meal prep staples
- Instant Pot Artichokes
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Beets
- Instant Pot Chickpeas (Garbanzos)
- Instant Pot Black Beans
Instant Pot Green Beans
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound Fresh Green Beans, washed, trimmed if needed
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Stack BEANS in a colander or steam basket inside the pressure cooker and add WATER.
- Secure lid and turn pressure release valve to "Sealing".
- Select MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for zero minutes for firmer texture or 1 minute for softer texture.
- When cook cycle completes, use a long handled utensil to carefully turn the pressure release valve to quick-release the steam until the float valve drops.
- Open the lid, transfer beans out of the pot, and place in ice water until they're no longer warm, stirring as needed.Alternatively, you can run the beans under cold water.
- To store, allow to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days.
Traci's Recipe Notes
- Use any type of fresh green bean for this recipe.
- Don't be alarmed by the zero minute cook time. It simply means we bring the pot up to pressure and right back down. As a result, the beans are tender, yet firm enough for snacking, or sautéing for other recipes.
- If you don't have a steamer basket, any metal or silicone colander that fits your pressure cooker will work. Or, you can use a trivet to keep the beans from sitting in the water.
NUTRITION
Nutrition data provided as courtesy estimates using unbranded ingredients from a nutrition database. Please consult preferred resource for precise data.
Asasa says
Any reason for the ice water bath if you're going to serve them with that night's dinner? Don't know why you'd want to cool them just to reheat to serve . . .
The Kitchen Girl says
Thanks for asking. The main benefit of the ice bath is to shock them so they stay bright green for other recipes. You can certainly skip it and serve the green beans straight from the Instant Pot if you like 🙂 Let me know if you have other questions. Enjoy!
JB says
Pressure cooked green beans really are the way to go. I know steaming green beans the old way isn't rocket science, but Instant Pot green beans are, well, foolproof! Love this recipe!
The Kitchen Girl says
I couldn't agree more 🙂 Thank youuuu
Katherine Hackworthy says
These are so quick and easy in the instant pot! Thanks!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yes! My favorite way to steam green beans for sure. Thanks!
Tavo says
Great tip! I need to put my instant pot to good use! And I love green beans!
The Kitchen Girl says
Perfect! Enjoy!
Claudia Lamascolo says
This dish sounds so delicious we just love green beans this is a must-make on my list!
The Kitchen Girl says
Yay! I know you'll love them. Enjoy!
Kristen Wood says
These look like the perfect green beans! I'm going to give this a go for the holidays! Thanks for the great recipe.
The Kitchen Girl says
You're so welcome. Enjoy!
Dannii says
Green beans are one of my favourite side dishes and it's such a great idea to do them in the instant pot.
The Kitchen Girl says
Me too! Glad you like ... thanks!