Sometimes, you just need the taste of home to be as quick as possible and that means knowing HOW TO COOK CANNED GREEN BEANS ON THE STOVE. It’s easy to flavor your canned green beans so that they taste wonderful!
What I am going to tell you isn’t difficult in the least. You simply add a few seasonings and you’ll be on your way to a mouthful of Southern flavors in no time!
WHAT’S A GOOD SEASONING FOR CANNED GREEN BEANS?
Green beans are wonderful with all kinds of flavors. The most popular flavors are:
- Onion
- Garlic
- Bacon
- Bouillon
- Sugar
SUGAR? Yes, that’s right, sugar. An elderly lady told me that years ago and that’s how I’ve flavored green beans for years. In fact, most vegetables taste best with a little tad of table sugar added in.
ARE CANNED GREEN BEANS ALREADY COOKED
There is a short answer and a long answer to this question, but the answer you are looking for is, “they are safe to eat straight out of the can”. The canning process cooks them enough for safety.
WHAT KIND OF GREEN BEANS SHOULD I BE COOKING?
You’ll notice at the grocery that there are a selection of green beans available and I’ve described some of them below
FRENCH STYLE GREEN BEANS
These are typical green beans that have been split in half long ways thus making them “french style”. They taste the same as regular green beans for all intent and purpose.
ITALIAN GREEN BEANS
The Italian Green beans are a large flat bean with more green bean shell. They have a typical green bean flavor and are just a little more of a mouthful.
BEANS AND SHELLS
You’ll note that some of the green bean cans have more brown pea sized beans as well. These are just the seed of the bean and makes for a yummy nuttiness to your green beans.
IF YOU ENJOYED HOW TO COOK CANNED GREEN BEANS ON THE STOVE, YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY….
Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
Clays Famous Three Bean Casserole
Slow Cooker Green Beans with Bacon
How to Cook Yellow Squash on the Stove
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR HOW TO COOK CANNED GREEN BEANS ON THE STOVE
- Drain the water out of the green bean can UNLESS you have purchased the green beans that have flavorings already in them EX: Margaret Holmes Seasoned Italian Green Beans.
- Many people will tell you that the water in the canned green beans contains lots of flavors, but personally, depending on what kind of beans you have purchased, you might not like the flavor of the water! (The water won’t hurt you, so if it is too late to drain it off, don’t worry about it).
- If you don’t have some of the ingredients in the recipe, just don’t worry about it. The only things that are absolutely essential are the salt and pepper.
- I know you are saying to yourself, “Sugar?”, the answer is, “Yes, sugar, sugar” (say with a southern accent). You won’t be sorry.
YA'LL, HELP ME OUT, OK?
Please leave me a 5 star comment below in the comment section, all right? I would LOVE to know if you made this recipe or even if you are planning to! Of course, tool on over to Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram and tag me with some photos of your creation!
I can't wait!
Ya'll know I love comments!! ❤
How to Cook Canned Green Beans on the Stove
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz can of green beans
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 slice of bacon cut into 1 inch pieces
- ½ cup fresh water
- 1 teaspoon of bouillon concentrate OR 1 bouillon cube
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- On the stovetop over medium heat place a small saucepan and the butter and bacon. Cook the bacon till crispy.
- Drain the water from the green beans (unless it is a pre seasoned green bean).
- Add the beans, ½ cup fresh water, bouillon, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes (optional) to the bacon/butter mix and then taste once all of that is mixed in. Follow with salt and pepper according to your tastes.
- Heat over medium heat until the beans are heated through. If you prefer soft southern style green beans, continue to cook until beans are soft.
Notes
- Drain the water out of the green bean can UNLESS you have purchased the green beans that have flavorings already in them EX: Margaret Holmes Seasoned Italian Green Beans.
- Many people will tell you that the water in the canned green beans contains lots of flavors, but personally, depending on what kind of beans you have purchased, you might not like the flavor of the water! (The water won’t hurt you, so if it is too late to drain it off, don’t worry about it).
- If you don’t have some of the ingredients in the recipe, just don’t worry about it. The only things that are absolutely essential are the salt and pepper.
- I know you are saying to yourself, “Sugar?”, the answer is, “Yes, sugar, sugar” (say with a southern accent). You won’t be sorry.
Nutrition
A VERSE TO SHARE
Doesn’t Matthew have some wonderful news about Jesus? I think so too! Have you ever thought about what it means to become like a child in Christ?
What qualities do children have that are not at all like how adults are? You can think of a few, right? YOU fill in that blank.
Here’s the verse…
Matthew 18: 1-5
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
feona distler says
Cant wait to add sugar to my can of string beans. maybe the kids will eat it.
Wendi Spraker says
I can't guarantee that, but I bet you will like them better! For kids, ask them to try some ketchup on their green beans, they might like it! That's how I learned to eat green beans.
Hnnaah says
Tried recipe today, It’s a keeper!!! I wish I had found this before the holiday season.
Wendi Spraker says
So glad you loved it! 🙂 . Come back soon!
Gail Mathieson Reiter says
Used this last night for my home canned green beans because I don't like them right out of the jar. We both loved this recipe. Printing it now for posterity!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Gail! Thanks for coming back and leaving me a comment! I'm so glad it is going in your collection! Just PLEASE come back and check out our other recipes, you might like them and there are a TON of them! Have a wonderful weekend!
Mary Stephens says
My go to recipe for green beans now. I have made them several times and will never go back to “just dumping the can”. It does not add but just a few minutes to cooking them straight from the can and is soooo much better !
Wendi Spraker says
Awwwww.... Mary! That's wonderful! Thanks so much for letting me know and leaving a comment. That really helps others know how things are!
Jessie says
Great flavor recommend for good side dish.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jessie, Thanks so much for leaving a comment! I'm glad you loved them!
Wanda J Hankins says
For the first time ever I find I like canned green beans!! AND it's easy and quick!!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Wanda! Isn't it great that it just takes a little "doctorin" as my grandma used to say? I'm glad you enjoyed! Have a great rest of your weekend!
Mark Dillard says
What else can you season can green beans without using meat by products
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Mark!
Seasoning green beans is simple if you use onion powder, garlic powder, a pinch of cayenne, a touch of vegetable oil (or olive oil - use any oil, but just make sure there is some oil, it helps the other flavors to stay on your tongue), a little sugar and a tiny bit of liquid smoke (like a few drops, its very powerful stuff).
Tracy Johnson says
My sincerest apologies! I missed the sugar listed in the ingredients.
Wendi Spraker says
That’s ok. No one wants to miss the sugar in the green beans!!
Tracy says
Sugar isn't listed in the ingredients. And yes I love sugar added to my green beans. {Smiles}
Cathy says
Your green bean recipe is the bomb! I could've eaten the whole pan! It was part of our Thanksgiving dinner today. Unfortunately, no leftovers for seconds. This is now my new recipe for beans!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Cathy! I’m so glad they turned out for you and that your whole family enjoyed them! Happy Thanksgiving and God bless.
Beth says
Hello, what if i have to cook 5 cann of 14 ounce green beans how could i measure with all the ingredients? Not sure how much afraid i put too much seasonings. Ill have to bring to cook for my son Thanks Giving Dinner tomorrow.
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Beth, for 5 cans of beans, I would pour the water out of the cans. Cook 5 strips of bacon (cut into pieces). Pour the beans into the pan with the bacon and bacon grease. Add 2 cups of water. Cook over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of both salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon of garlic powder (not garlic salt) 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 1/2 stick of butter (4 tablespoons) a table spoon of sugar and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let it get good and hot and then give it a taste. You might need to add a little more salt or pepper.
Jan says
Can I make this a day ahead and reheat in oven for Thanksgiving? Or reheat on stove top?
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Jan! Thanks for visiting! Yes, it is fine to do these the day before and then reheat but the whole recipe only takes a few minutes (literally less than 20) so you might want to consider just doing the day of. It's really up to you, either will be fine! 🙂 Best wishes!
Carol Hicks says
What kind of bouillion?
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Carol. I like to use a spoonful of better than bouillon but if you don’t have that a bouillon cube is fine. If you use the cube then taste before adding any salt. I prefer the chicken flavored but beef works too.
Diana says
You sure know how to make a plain can of green beans taste delicious! Mom just rinsed then and heated them up with some water and butter. I never wanted to eat them as I only liked fresh green beans. You made them very palatable, so tasty and I’ll be making my canned green beans like this forever!
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Diana! Thank you so much. I’m glad they tasted a little better than usual.
Sarah says
Made these today!! Soo good! Thank u! ❤️
Wendi Spraker says
Hi Sarah! Thank you for the feedback! I'm so glad it turned out great! See? You have an AWESOME cook inside you!!
Moxie says
YOu know what you are doing in the kitchen girl! Love it!
Wendi Spraker says
Thanks Moxie