How to Cook Perfectly Crisp and Green Boiled Green Beans at Home

Boiled green beans are a simple yet beloved dish in Vietnamese family meals. High in nutrients and easy to prepare, these beans are often enjoyed with dipping sauce or soy sauce. However, achieving that vibrant green color and crisp texture can be challenging. This article will guide you on how to cook delicious boiled green beans that retain their appealing green color, ensuring your whole family will love them.

Fresh green beans

How to Choose Fresh and Delicious Green Beans

Before you start boiling, choosing the right green beans is crucial. Green beans are generally divided into two types: farm beans and Da Lat beans. Farm beans may not look as attractive, but they often taste better than Da Lat beans. On the other hand, Da Lat beans are usually a more vibrant green and longer, making them visually appealing when stir-fried.

When buying beans, opt for natural ones that haven’t been sprayed with chemicals or over-fertilized. Handpick beans that are of medium length, clearly segmented, with minimal hair, and no signs of pests. Avoid letting the seller choose for you, as they might pick less fresh beans. Garden-grown beans are often treated with a lot of foliar fertilizers. Inorganic substances can penetrate the beans and may not have fully converted into organic matter, affecting health. Some farmers also spray pesticides close to harvest time, which can lead to food poisoning if consumed.

How to choose green beans

Secrets to Boiling Crisp and Green Green Beans

Boiling green beans is quite simple if you know a few tricks during the cooking process.

Step 1: Preparing the Beans

After buying the beans, trim off the ends. Hold the bean with one hand and use the other to strip the tough string along both sides. Rinse the beans with clean water and soak them in a light salt solution for about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse thoroughly, and let them dry.

Preparing green beans

Step 2: Boiling the Beans

Fill a pot with enough water to cover the green beans. Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the green beans. Boil for about 4 minutes until the beans are cooked to perfection. Do not cover the pot to ensure the beans remain a vibrant green, crisp, and not mushy. You can also add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.

Boiling green beans

After the beans are cooked, you can choose one of the following methods based on your preference:

• Method 1: Remove the cooked beans to a plate and drain any excess water to prevent the bottom layer from steaming and becoming soft and discolored.
• Method 2: Place the cooked beans in a bowl of ice water, then drain and let them dry. This method helps maintain the original vibrant green color and crisp texture.

Cooked green beans

In less than 10 minutes, you’ll have perfectly crisp and green boiled green beans ready to enjoy. The beans will be cooked just right, offering a delightful crunch and juicy interior.

Boiled green beans with dipping sauce

Conclusion

We hope that with the method for boiling green beans shared in this article, you’ll add a new recipe to your cooking notebook. Wishing you success in your culinary endeavors!