Whether you're looking for a tasty and easy side dish for the holidays or something for a weeknight meal, you're going to love these Instant Pot Fresh Green Beans. Thanks to the magic of butter and garlic, it only takes a few ingredients and your trusty Instant Pot to turn an ordinary veggie into something special.
There’s nothing quite like the crisp snap of green beans fresh from the garden. I grew up with a dad who took pride in his summer harvest, and green beans were always one of our homegrown staples. That love for simple, seasonal produce stuck with me—and now, with the Instant Pot, I can get that garden-fresh flavor on the table fast, no matter the season.
This recipe is a year-round workhorse: quick enough for a weeknight, yet special enough for your holiday table.
No oven required, no babysitting a boiling pot—just perfectly cooked green beans with the kind of flavor and texture that even picky eaters can’t resist.
It’s the kind of side that holds its own beside a simple dinner like my Instant Pot French Onion Chicken or nestles right into a Thanksgiving spread with zero stress.
Ingredients
- Green Beans: I recommend using fresh green beans in the Instant Pot. In my experience, frozen ones are too moist, and canned beans are already too soft to cook under pressure.
- Oil: I used olive oil, but any cooking oil will work.
- Lemon juice: I recommend freshly squeezed, but bottled works in a pinch.
- Butter: Oil or margarine can be substituted for a vegan option.
- Garlic: I recommend fresh or frozen.
- Lemon Pepper: This is a blend of black pepper and lemon zest found in the grocery store with the other seasonings. You can substitute regular black pepper if necessary.
Tips, Tricks & Variations
- Look for fresh-looking green beans that are brightly colored. Thinner green beans are usually more tender than larger ones - look for ones that are no more than medium thickness for perfect Instant Pot steamed green beans every time!
- The best way to store uncooked green beans is in a loosely sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator.
- Add sliced almonds, walnuts, or toasted hazelnuts on top for a crunchy finish to your Instant Pot fresh green beans. Or consider topping with cooked and crumbled bacon or parmesan cheese.
- Finely mince a small onion and add it to your instapot fresh green beans with the garlic.
- Want to level things up? Add bacon. If you're looking to bring a little smoky, savory magic to the table, sauté some chopped bacon right in the Instant Pot using the Sauté function before adding the green beans. Cook until crispy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon (and try not to eat it all), then proceed with the recipe—using a bit of that bacon grease in place of the oil. Crumble the bacon on top before serving for an irresistible upgrade.
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use a Steamer Basket?
You can steam green beans directly in the Instant Pot insert, but using a steamer basket improves heat circulation and helps prevent sticking.
I recommend it for best results, but if you don’t have one, no need to stress—just use a trivet or cook them right in the insert.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop or in the oven?
Yes, you can also cook green beans on the stovetop or in the oven. To cook them on the stovetop, bring a pot of water to a boil and add the prepared green beans.
Cook for 3-5 minutes until they reach your desired tenderness, then drain and toss with the butter and garlic mixture.
To cook in the oven, spread the prepared green beans on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees F for 10-15 minutes, until tender.
Toss with the butter and garlic mixture before serving.
Tools Needed to Make
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Storage
Store leftover green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop before serving.
How to Cook Fresh Green Beans in the Instant Pot
The first step to making fresh green beans in the Instant Pot is to rinse and trim the green beans.
To do this, fill a large bowl with cold water and swish the green beans to remove any dirt or debris. Trim off the stem end of each bean and discard.
Next, drain the water, rinse the bowl, and place the trimmed green beans back into it. Toss them with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
Pour 1 cup of water into the bottom of the inner pot. You could use vegetable or chicken broth if you prefer.
Place the green beans in a steamer basket, and place it inside your Instant Pot. Close the lid and make sure it's set to sealing mode.
Set the Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 0 minutes. When it reaches pressure, hit cancel and vent for a quick pressure release.
Carefully remove the steamer basket and discard the water from the pot.
Return the inner pot to the Instant Pot, and set it to high saute mode. Add in your butter and minced garlic, cooking until lightly browned.
Add the green beans back into the pot, tossing them with the garlic butter.
Sprinkle with lemon pepper and cook for another minute. Garnish with red pepper flakes and parmesan cheese if you like. Enjoy!
More Instant Pot Recipes to Try
- For a delicious weeknight meal that will have the family thinking you spent hours in the kitchen, give this Instant Pot French Onion Chicken a try!
- Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks are loved by kids and adults alike!
- Delicious sides don’t get any better than this Instant Pot Potato Salad.
- Your family will ask for Instant Pot Chili Mac again and again.
20-Minute Instant Pot Fresh Green Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
For Cooking
For Finishing
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper
Instructions
- Rinse and trim your green beans. Place them in a large bowl and toss them with the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
- Place in the steamer basket for your Instant Pot.
- Place 1 cup of water in the bottom of your Instant Pot and place the basket on top of the water.
- Close the lid and set it to sealing. Select manual high pressure, and set the timer to 0 minutes.
- When the Instant Pot reaches pressure, hit cancel and quickly release the pressure.
- Carefully remove the steamer basket and the inner basket.
- Discard the water and return the inner pot to the Instant Pot.
- Select high saute, and add the butter to the pot.
- When the butter is melted, add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds.
- Return the green beans and toss well. Sprinkle with the lemon pepper and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
Kathy says
This side dish looks tasty. Always looking for veggies that have flavor. Trying tonight!