Quick and Easy Purple Green Beans Recipe
Curious about purple beans? Find out how to prepare purple beans and how to serve them! Today’s guest post is from my friend Anna, who is a foodie like me!

Farmers Markets. I love them. Even when they are busting with people and you just want to scream, “FIRE!”, so that the crowds will part and you can lazily stroll the stalls, touch all the fresh fruit and veg., and just dream up the recipes. But, creating mass chaos so that you can get the choicest of basil stems is not the best socially-minded action. Thus, I show decorum and just fuss at people under my breath.
My local Farmers Market, South of the James, is open year-round, and it might be the Mrs. Yoder’s Donuts that keep me coming back rather than the abundance of beautiful organic produce, put to the public, it’s the beautiful organic produce. And maybe the country-style sausage biscuits. Maybe. On my last trip, I looked upon a sea of green beans and saw these amazing deep purple ones. My hand went straight for the deep purple hue. Because different is beautiful and also- eat the rainbow!
Earlier this year, I learned my favorite way to prepare green beans through one of those home delivery deals. The preparation is so simple, so quick and so stinking delicious that it has me chomping down a double (let’s face it- all of them) size portion into my mouth. While like Liz, I heart vegetables, sometimes I stuff myself on cheese and carbs and, Ack- meat. But, not with these green beans. And the ease and short time preparation make them a no brainer weeknight go-to for busy people who need a vegetable side dish. And if you have some leftover, they’d make a great addition to a salad, but who are we kidding? Leftovers. Pah!
How to Prepare Purple Beans
To prepare the beans, trim the end by using a sharp knife.
Then, add the beans and oil to a heavy bottomed pot. Cook until the beans begin to turn green.
Cook until the beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!
PrintQuick and Easy Purple Green Beans
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These quick and easy purple green beans are a delicious summer recipe!
Ingredients
- 6 cups green beans
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Wash your beans then snap the ends off of all the beans. You are taking off about 1/4-1/2 inch, depending on how long the skinny tails are. Discard the ends.
- Heat the olive oil and water a heavy bottom, large pan or dutch oven over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add the green beans. Stir to coat.
- Let them sit for 5 minutes or so. You should start to hear them pop.
- When you hear some popping, stir, then cover the pot and let them cook for 5-7 more minutes.
- Uncover, check doneness (the longer they cook, they less crisp they are).
- Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Serve warm and try not to eat all of them as you bring them to the table.
Notes
I’m so excited to share today’s guest post with you because Anna is a local blogger here in Richmond! She’s a food lover like me and she offered to share her recipe for quick and easy purple green beans! Please welcome Anna to the blog!
Nutrition
- Calories: 85
*Who knew that purple green beans turn green when you cook them? I didn’t either. You learn something new every farmer’s market.
-Anna of Sugar and Sassafras
Looking for another green bean recipe? Try this one!
What’s your favorite vegetable to get at the farmer’s market?
Why is there water in the ingredients list but not in the instructions?
I’ve been growing the Royal Purple Bush beans. They are a little sweeter than Kentucky Wonder beans.
I just sauté the beans in a little Olive oil, Garlic & Red Onion( also grow Garlic and Onions ), Salt & Pepper …then a squeeze of Lemon at serving.
I planted some this year for the first time because I got tired of “missing” their green brothers among the leaves until they were too big and tough to eat! We got our first huge harvest this morning so I’ll be cooking then up for lunch. Yummy!
We are growing purple green beans (for the first time) and regular green beans. To have enough for a meal can I mix them?
I think if they’re similar in size, it should be fine!
I found this recipe while looking for how to cook the purple string beans I bought at a local market. This was quick and easy. Pretty much like normal green beans are cooked. However, mine turned a whitish, creamy color when cooked. Not green.
Liz,
I was roaring reading this! You & I feel exactly alike at the farmer’s markets! I picked up some of these purple green beans today & cooked them using your recipe. They were a HIT! Thank you so much for sharing such a funny story & a wonderful recipe!
OMG, color changing green beans! I’d never seen purple green bean before but I’m definitely intrigued.
I have never seen purple green beans, I’ll keep my eyes open next time I go to my farmers market. They look so beautiful. I bet they are delicious following your recipe and served with hummus.
OMG! Did they really turn green? I have to see this with my own eyes! I need to find these purple-green beans asap! I’m in awe!
I can’t say I’ve seen purple beans yet, but I will keep my eye open for them. I never would have guessed they turn green once boiled. I love this simple, everyday recipe. Sometimes simple is best, using common ingredients you already have in the pantry.