How to Cook Green Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker

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Cooking green beans in the pressure cooker is possibly the simplest way, and the fastest, to prepare this vegetable.

It doesn’t matter if you like them crisp tender or cooked until they’re soft all the way through, you can accomplish both by making them with this method.

It takes just a handful of minutes, and the green beans always turn out perfectly every time.

I used to make them on the stovetop, sauteing them with butter and garlic or boiling them in water, thinking this was the easiest way to do it.

Who knew that I had been putting far too much work into this simple kitchen task?

All I needed to do was whip out my trusty electric pressure cooker.

I love the convenience of being able to make amazing side dishes right in the Instant Pot, or whatever brand of appliance you might have.

Plus, you just can’t beat how quickly you can get dinner on the table by using one of these.

In this how-to guide to making green beans in an electric pressure cooker, you will learn how to steam your vegetables, as well as how to make them without a steamer basket.

Essentially, the latter method involves boiling them, but I think they come out just as tasty this way, not to mention just as quick.

The best part is, this simple veggie side goes with everything. My husband and I are actually obsessed with green beans, and we try to eat them at least a few nights a week when they’re in season.

Again, I’ve gotta say that I am kicking myself a bit for hopping on the Instant Pot train only recently when it comes to preparing this vegetable. All that wasted time, you know? It could have been spent napping, drinking wine, reading, and so much more…

Now I know that things really can be easier.

I hope this guide helps you to achieve green bean perfection every time. Who knows, maybe you’ll never make them without this appliance again.

Here’s what’s to come in this article:

Tips to Make the Best Green Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Want to go a little off book? What if you want crisper veggies as opposed to soft ones, added flavorings, a bigger batch, or parcooked beans?

Try these tips:

• If you are doubling the quantity of beans, you will want to double the time spent pressure cooking the vegetables. I will go into this more at the end of this article – keep reading to get the details there!

• For those of you who like a crisp exterior, you can saute the vegetables in olive oil or butter after preparing them in the appliance, in a frying pan, or using the saute/sear function.

• This is a fantastic technique to use for any dish that requires parboiling green beans before proceeding with the recipe. In this case, use the suggestion described below to set the pressure cooker to zero minutes on high pressure.

Serving and Seasoning Suggestions

You can season these cooked vegetables in any way you prefer.

The options are honestly endless, but here are some simple favorites to try:

• Butter, salt, and pepper
• Olive oil, freshly grated parmesan cheese, and pepper
• Olive oil, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and minced garlic
• Butter, salt, pepper, and lemon juice and/or zest

You can also toss them in vinaigrette, like we do for our classic Nicoise salad. Or toss them with fresh herbs and other fresh produce, similar to these thyme-seasoned green beans with tomatoes.

Remember that you can adjust the quantities of the flavor add-ins however you like, depending on your tastes.

How to Steam Green Beans in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Ready to get into the details? Here’s how to steam the perfect green beans every time, in your Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooking appliance.

Step 1 – Measure Ingredients

Measure out 1 pound of fresh green beans. Wash them well, drain them in a colander, and trim the ends.

Measure 1 cup of cold water.

Step 2 – Place Inside

Step 3 – Steam

Pressure cook on Low for 0 to 5 minutes (0 minutes for crisp tender, 2 minutes for softer with a slightly firm texture, or 5 minutes for a soft texture, without being mushy).

Quick release the pressure.

Use oven mitts to carefully remove the steamer insert and transfer the prepared vegetables to a large bowl. Add seasonings as desired, and toss to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to before serving.

How to Cook in an Electric Pressure Cooker Without a Steamer Basket (Boiling)

Don’t have a steamer basket? Try this technique. Essentially boiling but with a small quantity of liquid that quickly turns to steam, this option allows you to season your veggies during the cooking process.

Step 1 – Measure Ingredients

Measure out 1 pound of green beans. Wash them well, and drain them in a colander. Trim the ends.

Measure 1/2 cup of cold water and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee.

Step 2 – Place Everything Inside

Add the green beans, water, and butter or ghee to the insert of your appliance.

If you want, you can add seasonings at this time, such as minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and fresh herbs.

Place the lid on top and secure it. Make sure the valve is set to the sealed position.

Step 3 – Cook

Pressure cook on Low for 0 to 5 minutes (0 minutes for crisp tender, 2 minutes for softer with a slightly firm texture, and 5 minutes for a soft but not mushy texture).

Quick release the pressure.

Use oven mitts to carefully remove the steamer insert and transfer the cooked vegetables to a serving bowl. Taste and add additional seasonings if desired, and toss to coat.