Learn how to make delicious Instant Pot Green Beans. Fresh green beans perfectly seasoned, made quick and easy in the pressure cooker each and every time.
Green beans are one of those side dishes that can be served with anything!
Like most Southerners I used to cook my beans to death, well not really, but I do remember days of canned beans in a pot on the stove for three hours. Boy have times changed for me!
Don’t get me wrong I still love Instant Pot Southern Style Green Beans with Bacon (these are not mushy by any means, just packed full of flavor), but there are times I also like them crunchy or steamed! This particular recipe makes these are about middle of the road. They still have a little crunch, but they are soft enough too.
Below you will find cooking times for perfectly steamed beans to crisp with a touch of softness. And what is wonderful about making them in the Instant Pot is they are done in minutes and have a wonderful texture. Simple, Perfect, and EASY!
Don’t have an IP – No worries! Check Recipe for stove top cooking instructions below!
How to Cook Instant Pot Green Beans (Pressure Cooker Green Beans)
STEP ONE:
- Wash green beans and drain.
- Snap or trim the ends off of the fresh green beans.
STEP TWO:
- Pour water into inner pan of Instant Pot.
- Place green beans in a steaming basket or directly into inner pot of pressure cooker.
- Add in the butter, garlic, salt and pepper or desired seasonings.
STEP THREE:
- Place lid on pressure cooker in locked position and make sure vent is in the sealed position.
HOW LONG DO YOU COOK GREEN BEANS in INSTANT POT?
- Firm Crunchy Texture – Low Pressure 0 Minutes (Beans will steam while coming up to pressure)
- For a little Softer Bean but still Firm – Low Pressure 2 minutes
- For Soft Bean but not mushy – Low Pressure 5 Minutes
- If using a steamer insert remove, place in serving bowl.
- When not using an insert, remove with tongs, place in serving bowl and serve.
A Few Reasons Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cookers are so Fabulous!
- When you forget to lay something out for dinner! It’s okay you can cook it really fast in this!
- It just tenderizes meat like nothing else! Try these BEEF TIPS – OM Goodness they are the bomb!
- It makes the Creamiest Mac N Cheese in minutes!!
- And Beans – Yummiest Beans in a fraction of the time! These Charro Beans are one example!
- Rice Oh Glorious Rice – This Mexican Rice really does make your maracas shake ;)!
- You can cook the Juiciest Turkey Breast that melts in your mouth!
- Soups are done in warp speed – Black-Eyed Pea and Collard Green Soup!
Just a few reasons to love the IP!
A few things you may need for this recipe
PIN THIS – INSTANT POT GARLIC BUTTER GREEN BEANS – FOR LATER!
OTHER INSTANT POT RECIPES
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- Instant Pot Turkey Breast
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- Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
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- Instant Pot Spaghetti & Meatballs
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- Instant Pot Mac n Cheese
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- Instant Pot Ribs
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- Instant Pot Lemon & Garlic Glazed Chicken
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- Instant Pot Beef Tips
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- Easy Instant Pot Mexican Rice
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- Charro Beans
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- Instant Pot Meatballs & Gravy
Perfect Instant Pot Green Beans
Instant Pot Garlic Butter Green Beans
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh green beans
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 cup water
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions
- Pour water into 6 quart Instant Pot. Add in green beans, garlic, butter and salt & pepper to taste.
- Place lid on IP to lock position and make sure valve is set to sealed position.
- Firm Crunchy Texture - Low Pressure 0 Minutes (Beans will steam while coming up to pressure)For a little Softer Bean but still Firm - Low Pressure 2 minutesFor Soft Bean but not mushy - Low Pressure 5 Minutes
- Once time has elapsed, Manual Release or Quick Release (Carefully open the seal valve with a wooden spoon or tongs).
- If using a steamer insert remove, place in serving bowl. When not using an insert, remove with tongs or slotted spoon and serve.
Stove Top Instructions
- Pour water into medium size pot. Add in green beans, garlic, butter and salt & pepper to taste. Give them a stir. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer and cook for 30 to 40 minutes. Serve.
I have also shared this over at one of my favorite linkups Weekend Potluck and Meal Plan Monday!
Easy and perfect, such a great side dish – thank you for a wonderful recipe!!
My word Nikki, I am not a huge fresh green bean fan, because they are either mush or too crispy, but these were just perfect! Gotta love an IP!! Thanks!
Thank you Kathleen. SO glad you enjoyed them! The IP is such a fantastic invention ❤️
I love green beans and this are so easy to make and so good!
Thank you Kathy!
So simple, really looking forward to giving this recipe a try.
I love the idea of making green beans in the instant pot! Definitely trying these for the holidays!
They are so quick and easy! Merry Christmas Madi!
Awesome and so easy!!
Thank you so much Alex!
Hmm. Not sure what happened. I’m using a 6 qt Power Quick Pot which only has one pressure setting (I’m also new to using an electric pressure cooker). I reduced the water to 1/2 cup hoping to increase the butter flavor. I also used fresh French beans from Sams Club and they are thinner than the green beans in my grocery store. I set my timer for 2 min. The beans had a strong odd chemically smell when I opened the pot and they had a mild chemically flavor. They were definitely too mushy so I would probably try 0 min next time. Any ideas what would have created the off smells and flavors? Thanks. Sure was fast.
Shawn I haven’t had a chemical smell before. Had you used the pressure cooker before? Maybe how they were processed in the store or plant. Sorry that happened. I get fresh from my local grocery store and have not had that happen before.
I added a big splash of soy sauce to the water. I also substituted olive oil for the butter, and tossed my beans with the oil, garlic and seasoning before cooking. They were great! I’m thinking of adding sliced almonds to the beans before cooking next time, but I’m new to IP and don’t know if that would work…..
You can also toss in the slivered almonds after the cookings.
Your stovetop directions say to boil the green beans for 30-40 minutes, is that right?
The instructions actually say bring to a boil and reduce to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. That is correct. IF you like a firmer bean you may reduce the cook time.
I made these this past weekend. Twice! Turned out perfect both times. I used more butter and garlic than called for because that’s the way we roll.
Yay! That makes me so happy! And I say more butter and garlic are always a good idea 😉
Do you have to drain the beans when done? When I steam my vegetables I use 11/2 cups of water and have to drain them before serving. 1 cup still seems like a lot of water would still be left over.
I usually pull them out with tongs, but you can drain them also.
Love the garlic butter. But we definitely like our beans firmer than the result of 5 minute low pressure. Will try 2 minutes next time. First time doing green beans in the IP.
I am glad you enjoyed them. Hope the detailed times for the firmness helped. They are great steamed too if you like them really firm. The IP is such a great invention in my book 🙂
I know that I’m late to the party, but I’m new to the Instant Pot!! These were perfect!! I like green beans a little on the soft side and your recipe hit the nail on the head 🙂 Thank you so much.
Thank you Cassie! I felt like I was late to the party too! So I am always working on new ideas! I love using it!
Hi, I need to do the green beans in my new 3 QT as a side. Can this green bean recipe fit in the 3 qt? If not, can you help me with adjustments on using half a pound of green beans? Would cook time stay the same?
Hi Cristy. I do not have a 3 qt, however I do think this would work in that size. If you want to make adjustments, the recipe card has slider just click on the servings and adjust to half. But for this recipe to make a half pound just half the ingredients. I would still probably use a whole clove of garlic, but that is because I love it 😉 Please let me know how it goes for you!
I made these tonight and they turned out perfectly! Great recipe!
I used fresh green beans and manual pressure for one minute with a quick release.
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Corena! I am so glad you enjoyed them! <3
I cooked the green beans in water alone for 2 minutes and drained them. Then, I sautéed the butter and garlic and added the green beans back in. I also sprinkled grated Parmesan cheese over them. They were still a little too soft, so next time I’ll only cook them for 1 minute. Otherwise, the flavor was delicious!
I believe cheese is always a great addition to anything 😉 Try 1 minute next time and make sure you are using low pressure too! I’m so glad you stopped by to share with us and come back and visit again soon!
What should I do if my IP didn’t come with a low pressure setting?
Thanks in advance!
Do you have a pressure button on your IP? If so, by pushing that button it will adjust between low and high pressure. If not, I would cut time in half and test for desired doneness.
I just want to do green beans do I only use water I want to season them with olive oil and vinegar made them like a salad
I would salt and use water and if you want them crunchy I would try 0 minutes low pressure. You can add time if you like. Then season with your oil and vinegar.
These beans are delicious. I like soft beans so these were cooked to perfection. Thanks so much for sharing. I really appreciate it.
Love Sue
Thank you Sue! I appreciate it so much! It’s makes my day when a reader enjoys a recipe! Much Love, Nikki
I used very fresh green beans and thought that 5 minutes would turn them to mush. I did 1 minute, and they were just a bit overcooked. Next time I’ll try 1 minute at low pressure, or I might use the steam function. They were tasty though.
Elizabeth, Thank you for stopping by and for the input. I do like mine a bit softer so I suggested for firmer ones doing 2 minutes. Steaming them would be good as well (my husband won’t eat them that way though- UGH)! I will do a little testing on them soon and create a chart on the post so that I can give everyone an idea of different cooks on these. I hope you come back and visit again. I am always testing out new IP recipes!
Hi!! I want to make these for Xmas! New to instant pot… One place you don’t mention water and then in recipe you say 1 1/4 water… So we use water?
I made the correction in the post thank you for pointing that out! I am so sorry I missed getting back to you before Christmas. I hope you were able to use the instructions on the recipe to make them. I had taken a few days off with my family for Christmas. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!
This was ridiculously easy and tasty ! My stove broke down and I haven’t gotten it fixed. I forgot abnd panicked when i realized I had no idea how to cook the beans in an instant pot. Google and voila here I was. Thank you ! Will be checking out the rest of your site !
Thank you so much for stopping by Olivia! I am so sorry to hear about your stove. I had that happen to me on Thanksgiving Day a few years back! I wish I had had an IP then 😉 I would be thrilled for you to look around and hope you come back and join us! I’m always adding new recipes. Hearing from readers makes my day, so again thank you for taking time to say hello!
Many blessings,
Nikki
Great recipe! I, too, like beans cooked slow and super-tender, as well as more crispy and bright, But sometimes the beans at the grocery store are not tasty enough to cook crisp. This recipes did the trick. I might try it with a bit of chopped ham sometime, too. Yum!
Thank you so much Carrie! I love them fresh as well! Ham or bacon would be wonderful in them as well! You can cut the cook time for more crunchy beans. I like them both ways too. I am so glad you stopped by! Come back and visit again soon!
Nikki
I’m looking forward to trying this recipe, but would need to double it (or even triple it). I’m wondering if I need to adjust the cooking time as well? I just don’t know enough about how instant pots work. Thanks!
Jessica, I am so glad you have stopped by! I love these green beans! To be very honest I am new to using one! But I really would recommend sticking with the time. Check then you can always add/increase a few minutes if needed. I really think it would probably be enough time. I would love to hear how it goes. I’d love to see pics of how they turn out. Head over to our facebook group when your done and show us how it goes!
Has anyone tried adding tiny little potatoes with these? That’s how I always cook green beans – with the teeny potatoes and minced onions. I’m wondering if I need to increase the time. Any thoughts? I’m making for a bbq tonight so nothing like short notice with the need for answers : )
I am so sorry I was away today! I would love to hear if you tried it. I would think the potatoes would need a little more time than the green beans. So as long as you dice the potatoes and don’t mind the beans soft, I would think it would work out great. I am going to be trying this soon. Maybe even with some canned beans.