How to Pick the Best Green Beans
Here's what to look for when choosing the perfect green beans for a fresh summer potluck.
It’s time to pick up some of the season’s most delectable green beans! Whether you’re making a fresh green bean salad or steaming ’em in a foil packet on the grill, you want a sweet and tender bean with snap. (Forget about the sad-looking beans with brown spots.) If you’re not sure exactly how to pick green beans, you’ve come to the right place. Here are top insider tips to help you along the way:
Check out the color
The first thing you want to do is check out the color. As its name suggests, a green bean should be green! If you find that the beans at your grocery store or farmers market have a yellowish (or brownish) hue, that’s a sign that something is wrong. Instead, look for fresh beans that are brightly colored and stand out when it comes to their vibrancy. Can’t wait to cook them? Try these delicious green bean recipes.
Spring Pea & Radish Salad
Winters can be very long here in New Hampshire. I always look forward to the first veggies of spring and making some lighter dishes like this fresh salad. —Jolene Martinelli, Derry, New HampshireGrilled Green Beans
I cook almost everything outdoors, including green beans. I prepare this snappy side dish while the entree is cooking. The recipe has won over my picky eaters. —Carol Traupman-Carr, Breinigsville, PennsylvaniaLemony Almond-Feta Green Beans
When you find a vegetable recipe that demands second helpings, it's definitely worth sharing. I made these green beans for a dinner party, and that's exactly what happened! I like to use haricots verts, the skinny type of green bean. —Samantha Bowman, Houston, TexasRoasted Potato & Green Bean Salad
I made this salad to take advantage of seasonal potatoes, onions and green beans. It’s a perfect twist on the tangy German potato salad my mom used to make. Readers of my blog, The Seasoned Mom, are big fans. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, VirginiaFresh Green Bean Salad
I had a green bean salad at a local deli and enjoyed it so much, I tried to re-create it at home. The result was yummy! It lasts for several days in the fridge, and the taste keeps getting better. —Allison Brooks, Fort Collins, ColoradoGreen Beans and Radish Salad with Tarragon Pesto
Whichever way my garden grows, I usually build my salad with green beans, radishes and a pesto made with tarragon. That adds a hint of licorice. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaLemony Green Beans
You can throw together this dish in minutes using ingredients you probably already have on hand. That’s the beauty of it. —Jennifer Tarantino, Rutherford, New JerseyGreen Beans in Red Pepper Sauce
For easy veggies, I make a simple sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and parsley. We also like this sauce with zucchini or roasted cauliflower. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UtahOld-Fashioned Green Beans
Mom would prepare homegrown green beans using this recipe and, boy, did they ever taste good! The bacon provides rich flavor and the brown sugar a touch of sweetness. This is one irresistible side dish. —Willa Govoro, St. Clair, MissouriCreamed Green Beans
A family favorite for years, this special green bean recipe is a cinch to double and can be assembled ahead of time. When my nephews are coming for dinner, it’s an absolute must! —Betty Shaw, Weirton, West VirginiaRoasted Green Beans with Lemon & Walnuts
I first tasted roasted green beans in a Chinese restaurant and fell in love with the texture and flavor. This is my Americanized version and it's always a big hit at our holiday table. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaBalsamic Three-Bean Salad
Here's my little girl's favorite salad. She devours it just about as fast as I can make it. I suggest preparing it ahead of time so the flavors can get to know each other. —Stacey Feather, Jay, OklahomaRanch Green Beans
Years ago, I discovered this handwritten recipe on a note card and decided to give it a try. It's deliciously different from the usual green bean casserole and quickly became a favorite. —Carol Conn, Aurora, ColoradoRoasted Italian Green Beans & Tomatoes
When you roast green beans and tomatoes, their flavors really shine through. The vibrant colors light up a table. What a perfect side dish for the holidays! —Brittany Allyn, Mesa, ArizonaSlow-Cooked Green Beans
I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North CarolinaGerman-Style Cabbage and Beans
This is one of my greatest hits for a potluck dish at church suppers. If you use some red cabbage, it will have very festive colors, light pink with green. It looks so pretty. —Winifred Winch, Wetmore, MichiganHerb Garden Vegetables
I have a garden and wanted to highlight all the vegetables and herbs I grow. This medley was the perfect way to do just that. —Julie Stella, Champlin, MinnesotaSaucy Green Bean Bake
Here's a different way to serve green beans. It's a nice change of pace from plain vegetables. —June Formanek, Belle Plaine, IowaGreen Beans with Shallots
A package of frozen green beans makes these “dill-icious” green beans a fast and tasty accompaniment to almost any main course. —Linda Rabbit, Charles City, IowaBalsamic Green Bean Salad
Serve up those green beans in a whole new way–with a green bean salad recipe! The tangy flavors and crunch of these balsamic green beans complement any special meal or holiday potluck. —Megan Spencer, Farmington Hills, MichiganSouthern Green Beans with Apricots
Green beans and apricots have become a family tradition. Enhanced with balsamic vinegar, this dish will make your taste buds pop. —Ashley Davis, Easley, South CarolinaTomato-Onion Green Beans
Fresh green beans are the stars of this healthy side. Serve with grilled chicken, pork tenderloin or seafood for a delicious end to a busy day. —David Feder, Buffalo Grove, IllinoisGreen Bean and Potato Salad
For family reunions, my mom would make everybody's favorite green bean and potato salad. Now I'm the one who brings it. —Connie Dicavoli, Shawnee, KansasProvencal Bean Salad
Lightly coated in reduced-fat tarragon mayonnaise, this refreshing three-bean salad perks up summer meals. Every bite bursts with flavor. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New JerseyGreen Bean Casserole Stuffed Mushrooms
Green bean casserole is one of our must-haves for Thanksgiving dinner, but it needed updating. This bite-sized version gets fun reactions from everyone who eats it. —Kaytie Pickett, Jackson, MississippiZesty Garlic Green Beans
These green beans travel so well because they can either be served at room temperature or reheated at the party. —Christine Bergman, Suwanee, GeorgiaBasil-Garlic Green Beans
These are a result of getting my son, Mark, to eat green beans. He loves them extra garlicky. —Jenny Witcraft, Cleveland, Ohio.Easy Green Beans with Mushrooms
My family looks forward to this side dish every holiday. I add sliced almonds for crunch and garlic for a little kick. —Cheryl Wittman, Bergen, New YorkGreen Bean Casserole
This easy green bean casserole has always been one of my favorite dishes. You can make it before any guests arrive and refrigerate it until it’s ready to bake. —Anna Baker, Blaine, WashingtonPickled Green Beans
This recipe produces zippy little pickles, preserving my green beans for months to come...if they last that long. I crank up the heat a bit with cayenne pepper. —Marisa McClellan, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaFabulous Green Beans
My family loves this buttery sauce over green beans, whether they’re garden fresh or frozen. Another greeny option: Try sugar snap peas. —Lori Daniels, Beverly, West VirginiaGreen Beans with Yellow-Pepper Butter
Colorful, crunchy and buttery, this bean dish comes together quickly and will be a hit at your holiday table. For variation, sprinkle toasted pine nuts over the top just before serving. —Judie White, Florien, LouisianaGarlic-Sesame Green Beans
Sauteed bits of garlic and shallot, with a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds, turn ordinary beans into something special. Keep the recipe in mind for your garden crop in summer. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, MissouriItalian Artichoke-Green Bean Casserole
My mother and I made a few small changes to a recipe we found in a cookbook to create this comforting side dish. We increased the vegetable count and tossed in some seasonings to take the flavor up a notch. It's definitely not your average green bean casserole. —Denise Klibert, Shreveport, LouisianaTangy Bacon Green Beans
My grandmother’s Pennsylvania Dutch-style recipe turns plain old green beans into a tangy cross between three-bean and German potato salads. —Sharon Tipton, Casselberry, FloridaPepper Parmesan Beans
A colorful mixture of peppers and green beans gets an Italian treatment with basil and Parmesan cheese in this delightful vegetable dish. The garlic adds a savory zip. —Marian Platt, Sequim, WashingtonWarm Green Bean & Potato Salad
The combination of green beans and red potatoes, sometimes known as green beans Pierre, is one of my go-to side dishes. It's terrific with chicken.— Preci D'Silva, DubaiHungarian-Style Green Beans
A vacation to Hungary inspired this flavorful side of green beans with paprika and mushrooms. Being a vegetarian, I welcome these tasty ideas. —Sherry Johnston, Green Cove Springs, FloridaFresh Green Beans & Garlic
I am a firm believer that fresh is best. I developed this recipe to take advantage of our garden veggies. It really shows off the full flavor of the green beans. —Carol Mayer, Sparta, IllinoisLemon-Garlic Green Beans
"My brother made this stove top side dish as his contribution to Christmas dinner one year. We liked it so much that it became a mainstay in our household. -Gail Orsillo of Lynnwood, WashingtonHoliday Green Bean Casserole
Try this green bean casserole and you'll never go back to the old stuff. — Laura Fall-Sutton, Buhl, IdahoBacon and Garlic Green Beans
Adding white wine, lemon juice and garlic gives a little kick to green beans. It was enough to turn our old, traditional holiday side into a year-round favorite. —Shannon Reynoso, Bakersfield, CaliforniaPesto Pasta & Potatoes
Although this healthy pasta dish is pretty simple to begin with, it's made even easier because you can throw the green beans and pasta into one big pot to cook. —Laura Flowers, Moscow, IdahoRoasted Green Vegetable Medley
Roasting vegetables like broccoli, green beans and Brussels sprouts is a great way to serve them, and almost any veggie combo works. — Suzan Crouch, Grand Prairie, TexasBeans 'n' Caramelized Onions
Brown sugar, bacon and cider vinegar season this simple side. I often make it for family and friends, and it never fails to please!—Jill Heatwole, Pittsville, MarylandButtery Almond Green Beans
Toasted almonds add crunch to this no-fuss treatment for fresh beans. They get extra flavor from convenient onion soup mix and Parmesan cheese. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, IndianaHoney Garlic Green Beans
Green beans are a reliable standby, but they can seem ordinary on their own. Just a couple of extra ingredients give them a sweet and salty attitude. This is definitely my family's favorite way to enjoy them. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, AlbertaRoasted Green Bean Salad
This easy recipe turns homegrown green beans into something special. A tangy dill and Dijon vinaigrette coats the beans without overpowering them so the fresh-picked flavor comes through. —Kathy Shell, San Diego, CaliforniaGarlic Green Bean Medley
“This is one of my favorite ways to cook green beans. Everyone loves it!” —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, OhioSpiced Green Beans
These yummy green beans have just the right amount of kick to spice up any meal. —Howard Pierce, Naperville, IllinoisLook at the surface of the bean
The skin should be smooth and tight. If you find that the skin has weathered bumps, lumps and creases, that’s a problem. The surface tells you a lot about how the beans might taste. You don’t want overripe beans, so give any blemished bushels a pass.
Make sure they snap
When beans are at their mid-summer peak, they should snap. Look for a brightly colored bean that feels firm. Bend the pod and wait until you hear that all-too-familiar snapping sound. When the beans are ripe, they should snap quickly and easily. You don’t have to snap every bean, but testing one in every batch is a surefire way to make sure the ones you’re picking will be delicious!
Psst… Here are more ways to make sure produce is ripe.
Avoid beans that are too large
For green beans, you might think that “bigger is better.” Nothing could be further from the truth. When they’re too large or excessively thick, you might find that beans get tough or stringy. You’ll lose that sharp, fresh green bean flavor, too.
Don’t miss our guide on how cook the perfect green beans—four ways!
Feel for moisture
When green beans are old and dry, they lack the sweet flavor we know and love. You can tell how dry the beans are by touching them. To keep the beans moist and fresh, store them in your refrigerator’s crisper drawer in a plastic bag. (Don’t worry about rinsing them or snapping the ends off ’til you’re ready to cook.)