Instant Pot Green Beans

Bowl of perfectly steamed Instant Pot green beans with lemon zest and lemon juice.

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4.87 from 45 votes

Ready in minutes, the Instant Pot delivers perfectly cooked green beans that are steamed to crisp-tender perfection!

Prep Time5

Pressure Time10

Total Time5

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Equipment

Ingredients

1 pound green beans washed, ends trimmed
1 cup water *for a 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot
1 ½ cups water *for an 8-quart Instant Pot
desired seasonings

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

If using a 3 or 6-quart pressure cooker, pour 1 cup of cold tap water into the inner pot. If using an 8-quart Instant Pot, pour 1 ½ cups of water into the inner pot. Place a metal trivet or steamer basket inside the inner pot and place 1 pound green beans (washed and trimmed) carefully on the trivet OR in the steamer basket.
Place a metal trivet or steamer basket inside the inner pot and place the wash and trimmed green beans carefully on the trivet OR in the steamer basket.
Close the lid, being sure the venting knob is sealed or locked. Using the manual or pressure cook button, set the cooking time to 0 minutes on high pressure. If you are desiring soft green beans, set the cooking time to 1 minute.
Once the cooking time has elapsed, immediately do a quick release of pressure. To do this, use a long utensil and carefully knock the venting knob from the sealing to the venting position. Stand back to prevent being burned by the steam.
Remove the green beans from the pressure cooker. Season and serve immediately.

Notes

Green Beans: This recipe is designed for fresh string beans or snap beans (standardly labeled as Green Beans). You can also use this method for wax beans. I don't recommend using Haricot Verts (French Green Beans) unless they are frozen, as they are so thin and delicate they can overcook easily.

Frozen Green Beans: If you want to steam frozen green beans, I would recommend increasing the cooking time.

Frozen Cut Green Beans: 2 minutes with quick release of pressure
Whole Green Beans: 1 minutes with quick release of pressure
Frozen Thin Green Beans (Haricot Verts): 0 minutes with quick release of pressure

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Delicious cold or quickly warmed in a hot skillet.

Nutrition