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Instant Pot green beans are a quick and easy way to pressure cook fresh green beans tender-crisp as a healthy side dish or for other recipes.
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Why you'll love this recipe
This Instant Pot Green Beans recipe shows you how to pressure cook green beans in under 10 minutes with consistent results every time.
The green beans are briefly pressure cooked in a small amount of water which makes them turn bright green. As a result, their beautiful color and tender-crisp texture make for appetizing side dishes, including the essential holiday green bean casserole. Of course, these green beans are delicious with other entrees, such as whole chicken, salmon, or beef stroganoff.
Ingredient notes
- fresh green beans - Use any variety green beans for this Instant Pot recipe, including string beans, French beans, wax beans, or plain green beans.
- water - A very necessary ingredient for the Instant Pot to pressurize and pressure cook the food that's inside.
- sea salt - (optional) Can be used to season the green beans.
How to make Instant Pot green beans
Step 1: Wash green beans and trim the ends, if needed. Place in a colander or steamer basket inside the pressure cooker and add water. Close and lock the lid, turn pressure release valve to "Sealing" and pressure cook on HIGH for 0 (zero) minutes for firmer texture or 1 (one) minute for softer texture.
Step 2: To depressurize the cooker, carefully turn the pressure release valve to "Venting ". When the float valve drops, open the lid and transfer the green beans out of the cooker.
Optional: Blanch the beans by transferring them to an ice bath to quickly cool down. This helps them maintain a tender-crisp texture and vibrant green color.
Your pressure cooked green beans are ready to be enjoyed. Check out the variations listed in the section below for serving ideas.
Recipe tips
- Use any type of fresh green bean for this recipe, including French green beans, string beans, or regular green beans.
- When you see the zero minute cook time, it simply means we bring the pot up to pressure and right back down. This timing results in tender-crisp green beans. A one-minute pressure cook time yields softer beans.
- You don't need special equipment for your Instant Pot, but a silicone steamer basket or trivet makes it easy to raise and lower the green beans into the cooker. Otherwise, the green beans can sit right inside the pot.
Recipe variations
- Serve Instant Pot green beans with any number of toppings, such as Parmesan cheese, crumbled bacon, lemon wedges, or spicy chili crisp oil.
- Turn your pressure cooked green beans into a green bean saute on the stove, or use the Instant Pot 'Saute' function with a little oil to lightly brown the skin to your liking.
Instant Pot recipe staples
- Instant Pot Artichokes
- Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
- Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Quinoa
- Instant Pot Beets
- Instant Pot Chickpeas (Garbanzos)
- Instant Pot Black Beans
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Green Beans
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Note about scaling
When scaling, the light gray ingredient notes after the comma don’t change. Adjust as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Fresh Green Beans, washed, trimmed if needed
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Stack GREEN BEANS in a colander or steamer basket inside the pressure cooker and add WATER.Note: Increase water amount to 2 full cups for 8 or 10 quart Instant Pot.
- Secure lid and turn pressure release valve to "Sealing".
- Select MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK on HIGH for 0 (zero) minutes for firmer texture or 1 (one) 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.
Recipe Notes
- Use any type of fresh green bean for this recipe, including French green beans, string beans, or regular green beans.
- When you see the zero minute cook time, it simply means we bring the pot up to pressure and right back down. This timing results in tender-crisp green beans.
- 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.
- When using Instant Pot green beans for green bean casserole, it can be done a few days ahead to save time on casserole assembly day.
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
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!