Canned green beans are already cooked but to make them hot, you need to microwave before consuming them.
It takes approximately 3-4 minutes to microwave canned green beans. If after this time, the beans are not properly hot and soft, you may microwave for 1-2 minutes more. Also, if more water is added while microwaving canned green beans, you may require a little more time to get them hot.
In canned green beans, green beans are blanched, mixed with water and salt and then sealed in tin cans along with some additives to maintain the color and texture of the beans.
Compared to the dried beans, these cost a little more but still it is a good buy because it is convenient and fast to use. It is advised to rinse them before microwaving to remove the residual sodium attached to the surface of the beans.
It has been found that by either draining or rinsing the canned greens beans before use, there has been a significant sodium reduction.
How to cook canned green beans in microwave?
The following steps indicate the way to cook canned green beans in the microwave:
- Take a medium size microwave-safe bowl.
- Drain the water present in the canned beans or you may rinse the canned green beans also.
- Transfer the beans to the bowl along with ½ cup of water.
- Add a pinch of salt, some butter and pepper to the green beans and cover it with a damp paper towel.
- Turn the settings of the microwave to high and run it for 3-4 minutes.
- Check if the green beans have become soft and hot.
- If required, you can microwave for 1 more minute.
- Add olive oil, garlic, and basil to the microwaved canned green beans before serving to make them tastier.
Green beans can be made with more variations like you can add crumbled bacon to them. Even saute garlic and cloves added after microwaving canned green beans will add more flavor to the dish.
How to microwave green beans in a bag?
Sometimes we are too lazy to cook fresh green beans as it requires trimming the stringy ends of the beans and then cooking.
In such a case, you must go for packaged green beans. These beans are already trimmed, pre-washed and microwaveable. Also there is no need to take the green beans out of the bag. You can microwave the whole package of the green beans.
To microwave green beans in a bag, keep the entire bag in the microwave and run the appliance on high for 4 minutes. Once done, take the bag out and cut it open to empty the properly cooked green beans in a bowl.
You can add many types of seasonings to the beans before serving to make them tastier. Paprika, pepper, garlic, basil, etc add flavor to the microwaved green beans.
In case you want to eat fresh green beans, you can even make them in the microwave. To microwave green beans in a bag, follow the easy steps mentioned below:
- Take green beans and wash them properly. Cut off their stringy ends.
- Take a microwave-safe plastic bag and put the green beans in it.
- Ensure the plastic bag is completely closed.
- Put the bag in microwave and run it on high for 4 minutes.
- Check if the green beans are cooked properly. If still tender, microwave for 1 minute more.
It should be noted that the green beans even if you take them out of the microwave and they are hot, will continue to soften a bit on their own. Therefore, if you want them a little crispy, they should be taken out of the microwave when slightly undercooked.
The green beans may turn a little mushy if overcooked. Thus, it is better to undercook them rather than to overcook.
How to blanch green beans in microwave?
Blanched green beans can stay for a longer time in the fridge and you can use them as and when required. It makes green beans tasty, vibrant and nutritious. Blanching stops enzyme actions on the beans which otherwise cause loss of color, texture and flavor.
To blanch green beans in the microwave, follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Take one pound of green beans and wash them properly. Cut their ends and place them in a microwave-safe casserole dish which is of 1-1 ½ quart size. If you do not have a dish of this size, use a smaller dish and blanch in batches.
- Add a cup of water to it and cover it with plastic wrap.
- Run the microwave for 2-3 minutes on high. Stir the beans and again microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Once done, drain the green beans immediately and put them in the ice water.
- Use paper towels to blot excess water from the veggies.
- Store in plastic bags and keep them in the fridge. They can remain good for up to five days.
Why do green beans spark in the microwave?
Green beans spark in the microwave because of the presence of metal ions and minerals present in them like other dense vegetables such as spinach, carrot and green peppers. Minerals like iron, magnesium and selenium are present in the green beans that act as metal pieces.
When microwaves send electromagnetic waves, they pass through the food and vibrate the water particles inside them leading to a heating effect known as the ‘Arching effect’. This effect is caused due to heating of metal pieces in the microwave.
The electric field sent by the microwave can vary in different areas of the microwave. When these fields interact with a small piece of metal, they enhance and the electric field becomes stronger in the surrounding air.
This can be explained by cutting green beans into even pieces and then put in the microwave. Individual charge will be produced by each piece of green bean and those pieces with metal particles will cause a spark.
This indicates that only some metal pieces are enough to produce spark by green beans. They do not need a high amount of metal ions.
When you heat green beans with pasta sauce, no sparking will occur as the electric field will not be generated.
How do I reheat green beans in the microwave?
Below is the simple method to reheat green beans in the microwave:
- Take leftover green beans in a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a plastic wrap or lid to make it airtight.
- Heat it for 1 minute.
- Check the beans after every 30 seconds until the desired temperature is obtained.
- Do not overheat the beans to prevent loss of flavor and crispiness.
Conclusion
When fresh beans are not available or we do not have much time to cook them, canned green beans can be used. These are pre-cooked beans and require to be heated only.
You can do it conveniently in the microwave and for 1 can of green beans, only 3-4 minutes of microwaving is enough. Hope this article is helpful to you.