Runner beans are a forgiving vegetable when it comes to cooking them. When cooked to their best runner beans are slightly al-dente a nice bright green and have a fresh flavour, overdo it and they will lose their bright green colour, go slightly grey and be pretty tasteless. They will however still be edible unlike some overcooked veg, a minute or two over their cooking time will be OK.

You will need approx 6 - 10 beans per person depending upon how much you like them, how big they are and whether you are serving other veg with them.

To prepare your runner beans you need to start by top and tailing them, that means cutting of the stalk and point at the bottom, then remove the strings on either edge. Once done either slice them diagonally, using a knife, into 2 cm lengths or use a bean slicer to slice them horizontally and cut or snap into smaller lengths. We quite like ours about 5cm long if serving steamed as a vegetable.

Steam – sliced beans take about 10 mins in a steamer

Boil – sliced beans take 10 – 15 mins to boil

Bake/grill – on their own, don’t go there. In a casserole or as part of a similar style dish they are fine, see individual recipes

Fry - thinner sliced runners make a good addition to a stir fry. Add with other vegetables and cook for approx 5 mins, they will soften but remain crunchy.

Happy eating!

If you want to be a little more inventive then check out our Runner Bean Recipes. 

Eat and enjoy!