How to Prepare Runner Beans

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 25, 2021 References

Runner beans, also known as string beans, are a delicious and nutritious vegetable dish. What makes them even better is how easy they are to prepare! After you’ve cut the beans and removed their namesake strings, you can either boil, steam, saute, or even microwave them to make a tasty meal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Cutting and Stringing the Beans

1
Run your beans under cool water to wash them off. Put your beans in a large colander or strainer and place them in the sink to run them under tap water. For best results, lift up the colander after you’ve rinsed off the beans to allow them to drain. Then, run them under the water again to make sure they’re completely washed off.^{[1]
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- It’s important to wash the beans before you cook them in order to remove any dirt or debris that may be on them.
2
Use a knife to cut about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) off of your runner beans. Line the beans up on a cutting board and cut off the ends of each bean by cutting several of them at the same time. This will remove the tough, knobby parts of the beans that are tougher to chew through.^{[2]
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- Runner beans aren’t too difficult to cut through, so you ought to be able to cut at least 5 beans at the same time, depending on the size of your board.
- Throw these end pieces away once you’ve cut them off; you won’t need them to cook your beans.
- This process is also sometimes described as “topping and tailing” the beans.
3
Remove the strings from the sides with a vegetable peeler. Run the blade end of the vegetable peeler down the thin sides of each individual runner bean. This will remove the tough, ropey strings on the sides of the beans. Be sure to run the peeler down both sides of each bean to completely remove the strings.^{[3]
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- You can also use a knife to slice off these strings if you don’t have a vegetable peeler. Just try to make your cut as thin as possible.
Fun Fact: The strings on the sides of runner beans is what gives them the other name you might hear people call them: “string beans.”
4
Cut the beans into 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5.1 cm) long pieces. This will give you bite-sized pieces that you can easily cook in a variety of ways. You can also cut your runner beans lengthwise into thin strips. However, this may make it harder to cook the beans, depending on what method you plan to use.^{[4]
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- For example, if you want to boil the beans in a small pot, they may not be able to actually fit in the pot if they’re cut lengthwise.
- If you don’t plan to use these pieces right away, you can also refrigerate them for about 1 week or freeze them for 3 to 4 months. Keep them in an airtight container either way.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Cooking the Beans

1
Boil the beans to make a quick and easy vegetable snack. Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Then, carefully pour the beans into the water and allow them to cook for 3-4 minutes. Strain out the water with a mesh strainer or colander when they’re done and serve.^{[5]
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- You’ll know they’re done when they’re tender enough that you can easily stab them with a fork.
2
Steam the beans to better preserve their flavor and nutrients. Fill the bottom of your steamer with about 2 inches (5.1 cm) of water. Place the beans in the steamer basket and close the lid. Steam the beans over high heat for about 7 minutes, then remove them from the steamer and serve.^{[6]
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- This method will preserve more of the beans’ flavor than boiling and will also retain more of the beans’ nutrients.
3
Saute the beans with some seasoning for a more flavorful meal. Heat about ¹⁄₄ cup (59 mL) of cooking oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add seasoning or spices to the oil and saute them for about 2 minutes. Then, add your beans to the pan and cook them with the seasoning, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes.^{[7]
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- Give the beans about 3-5 minutes to cool before serving them.
- Some examples of seasonings or spices to add to this dish can include 4 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon (3 grams) of crushed red pepper flakes, or a few sprinkles of salt and pepper.
4
Microwave the beans if you don’t have any other way of cooking them. Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish. Then, pour water into the dish so that each individual bean is wet. Finally, place a lid over the dish and microwave it on high for 5-6 minutes.^{[8]
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- Your beans should look bright green and be tender to the touch once they’re done.
- If there is any excess water in the dish after you microwave it, simply pour it out.
Warning: Be very careful when removing the lid after you microwave the beans. Hot steam will be pouring out of the dish and may burn you.