# How do you cook your green BEANS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 2, 2014, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847 "2014-06-02T16:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![amaguri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@amaguri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amaguri)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/41 "2014-06-04T17:30:45Z")
I despised green beans growing up, because I only knew the canned variety and my mom used to cook them til they were mushy and gross. My brother made fresh green beans by sauteeing in olive oil until slightly blistered, with just salt and pepper, and I actually ENJOYED them. It blew my mind that I could enjoy green beans 😛 ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/42 "2014-06-04T17:38:16Z")
2 or 3 times a year (big family holidays) - Giant can of green beans (5#) 1 bulb of garlic - minced (not a clove - the whole thing) 2-3 medium onions - quartered 3-5 red potatoes - quartered pack of country ham pieces 2 - beef stock cartons (can’t remember the name, kitchen basics I thnk - red box) drain the green beens - mince the garlic, add it and ham pieces to bottom of stock pan - doing a quick saute of the garlic using the fat off the ham- add onions/potatoes - salt/pepper to taste (very little salt, LOTS of pepper for me/mine) add Green Beans add Stock Bring to boil reduce to simmer - cover with a little opening - simmer for as long as you can stand it - usually 6 hours or so. These are even better the second day if any survive. ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/43 "2014-06-04T20:00:30Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > I fry up some cut up bacon with some chopped onions. While that’s cooking I boil the green beans until they’re done. When the bacon is crispy and the onion is transluscent, I add some vinegar and some sugar and stir until combined, then add the drained green beans to it. > > Basically a wilted lettuce salad without the lettuce and with green beans. I should have added that this WILL NOT WORK with canned green beans. It will work with frozen, but I always do it with fresh. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/44 "2014-06-04T20:13:48Z")
> [@simster](#): > > 2 or 3 times a year (big family holidays) - > > Giant can of green beans (5#) > 1 bulb of garlic - minced (not a clove - the whole thing) > 2-3 medium onions - quartered > 3-5 red potatoes - quartered > pack of country ham pieces > 2 - beef stock cartons (can’t remember the name, kitchen basics I thnk - red box) > > drain the green beens - > mince the garlic, add it and ham pieces to bottom of stock pan - doing a quick saute of the garlic using the fat off the ham- > add onions/potatoes - salt/pepper to taste (very little salt, LOTS of pepper for me/mine) > add Green Beans > add Stock > Bring to boil > reduce to simmer - cover with a little opening - simmer for as long as you can stand it - usually 6 hours or so. > > These are even better the second day if any survive. I’m dying to try these now. Don’t suppose you have a pic of the finished dish? ---
**Author:** ![Amblydoper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@Amblydoper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amblydoper)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/45 "2014-06-05T04:35:48Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > If they’re canned or frozen, I’ll put them in vegetable beef soup. Mmmmmmm. The best way to cook canned green beans is to put them directly into the trash can. They taste better if you don’t eat them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/46 "2014-06-05T11:58:46Z")
> [@Amblydoper](#): > > The best way to cook canned green beans is to put them directly into the trash can. They taste better if you don’t eat them. Agree. Straight out of the can they are overcooked. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/47 "2014-06-05T17:38:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Honestly, the only way I ever really eat them is reheated from a can or frozen I haven’t eaten them fresh since my grandmother stopped having a garden. I don’t think I’ve seen fresh for sale. > > With canned, for sure, there’s really not much choice. We throw in occasional bits of ham and some olive oil, but we definitely just simmer them. My mom always said it tasted better on the stove, but I’ve never really detected a difference using the microwave. If you boil 'em, you’ve gone way too far. Where do you live? In both CA and WA, fresh green beans are practically a year-round item that you’ll find as a staple in the grocery store. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/48 "2014-06-05T18:05:43Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Where do you live? In both CA and WA, fresh green beans are practically a year-round item that you’ll find as a staple in the grocery store. Same here in Chicago. They’re a year- round staple. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/49 "2014-06-05T18:35:17Z")
Ditto Atlanta. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2014, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/50 "2014-06-07T14:23:11Z")
Roasted! toss with oil, salt & pepper. Put in a hot oven and stir now and then with a wooden spoon, till very tender with brown patches. Soft and nutty and delicious, a whole other vegetable altogether, with maybe a little vinegar sprinkled on. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Violaceous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Miss\_Violaceous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Violaceous)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/51 "2014-06-08T10:45:11Z")
This recipe, right here: [http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/greek-style-green-beans](http://www.splendidtable.org/recipes/greek-style-green-beans) Best with fresh beans and dill and tomatoes, still good with frozen, dried, canned (respectively). ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/52 "2014-06-08T13:40:14Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > Where do you live? In both CA and WA, fresh green beans are practically a year-round item that you’ll find as a staple in the grocery store. A small town in Northwest Arkansas. Grocery store produce is somewhat limited. I’m sure if I went to a larger town I might have more variety. I’m also sure I could get one from the local farmer’s market, but it only meets really early in the morning once a month or so, and I never get around to it. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2014, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/53 "2014-06-08T19:46:36Z")
Sauce pan with Butter, Salt, Pepper, Onions and of course **Bacon**. 😉 \ ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/54 "2014-06-09T20:16:18Z")
Since no one has mentioned it. Pickled with whole garlic cloves and thai peppers. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/55 "2014-06-10T01:53:25Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > Since no one has mentioned it. Pickled with whole garlic cloves and thai peppers. In a Bloody Mary, please. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/56 "2014-06-10T16:09:09Z")
> [@AndrewL](#): > > I don’t. They’re best raw IMHO. Fresh picked from the garden i agree, they’re nearly sensual with their soft dewy fuzzy skins hiding a green bouquet of juicy snappiness…can’t wait! i like all manner of cooking, deepfried with wasabi, southern style boil with a dash of malt vinegar, szechuan stir fried, steamed with blue cheese the possibilities are endless:D ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2014, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/57 "2014-06-12T19:50:22Z")
Put me in the steamed camp with butter/or olive oil, sprinkled with sliced almonds and a dash of alder smoked sea salt (which I only recently discovered and now put on almost everything…esp. popcorn). I did try them sauteed in olive oil and finished as above less the almonds and have to say that I really enjoyed them that way as well. I learned something new, yay! ---
**Author:** ![pavano](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bc8723/32.png) [@pavano](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pavano)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/58 "2014-06-13T18:11:03Z")
> [@simster](#): > > 2 or 3 times a year (big family holidays) - > > Giant can of green beans (5#) > 1 bulb of garlic - minced (not a clove - the whole thing) > 2-3 medium onions - quartered > 3-5 red potatoes - quartered > pack of country ham pieces > 2 - beef stock cartons (can’t remember the name, kitchen basics I thnk - red box) > > drain the green beens - > mince the garlic, add it and ham pieces to bottom of stock pan - doing a quick saute of the garlic using the fat off the ham- > add onions/potatoes - salt/pepper to taste (very little salt, LOTS of pepper for me/mine) > add Green Beans > add Stock > Bring to boil > reduce to simmer - cover with a little opening - simmer for as long as you can stand it - usually 6 hours or so. > > These are even better the second day if any survive. i do a similar recipe to this one but i use fresh green beans–which are cooked alone in broth for about 2 hours. instead of ham, we use 2 pounds of polska kielbasa cut into small discs. with a large stock pot full of these things, they have never lasted a day in the fridge, i catch the kids sneaking them in the middle of the night. oh, and i use chicken broth instead of beef because it is lighter and the kielbasa adds a bunch of flavor. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2014, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/59 "2014-06-13T18:21:12Z")
> [@pavano](#): > > i do a similar recipe to this one but i use fresh green beans–which are cooked alone in broth for about 2 hours. instead of ham, we use 2 pounds of polska kielbasa cut into small discs. with a large stock pot full of these things, they have never lasted a day in the fridge, i catch the kids sneaking them in the middle of the night. > > oh, and i use chicken broth instead of beef because it is lighter and the kielbasa adds a bunch of flavor. ok - I’m adding that version to the list. ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2014, 10:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847/60 "2014-06-14T10:15:03Z")
I only cook fresh green beans in the summer, to serve with grilled stuff. Boil 'em until almost tender, then saute with oil, butter and garlic. Then hit 'em with some hot sauce near the end. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-cook-your-green-beans/689847.md?page=2)