Green beans, also known as string beans or snap beans, are a versatile and nutritious vegetable found in many cuisines worldwide.
They come in various types with unique characteristics, flavors, and uses.
Whether you grow them in your garden or buy them at the grocery store, understanding the different types of green beans can help you choose the best variety for your dishes.
This blog will explore 15 different types of green beans, highlighting their key features and culinary uses.
Explore Different Types of Green Beans
1. String Beans
String beans, often called traditional green beans, are named for the fibrous string running along the pod seam.
The term remains popular while newer varieties have been bred to eliminate this string.
String beans are crisp and tender when cooked and are perfect for steaming, boiling, or sautéing.
- Texture: Crisp, tender
- Best For: Steaming, boiling, sautéing
- Features: Traditional green bean with a fibrous string (in older varieties)
2. Snap Beans
Snap beans, or green or garden beans, are prized for their crisp texture and mild flavor.
They are called snap beans because of their snapping sound when broken in half.
Snap beans are versatile and can be eaten raw, cooked, or added to salads and stir-fries.
- Texture: Crisp
- Best For: Raw, cooked, salads, stir-fries
- Features: Makes a snapping sound when broken
3. French Green Beans (Haricots Verts)
French green beans, or Haricots Verts, are a thinner, more delicate variety of green beans.
They have a tender texture and a slightly sweet flavor, making them ideal for elegant dishes.
French green beans are often blanched, served as a side dish, or added to salads.
- Texture: Tender, delicate
- Best For: Blanching, salads, side dishes
- Features: Thinner, more delicate than regular green beans
4. Pole Beans
Pole beans are climbing green beans that require support, such as a trellis or pole, to grow.
They produce long, slender pods with a tender texture.
Pole beans are known for their excellent flavor and are often harvested longer than bush beans.
- Growth: Climbing, requires support
- Best For: Steaming, boiling, grilling
- Features: Long, slender pods, prolonged harvest period
5. Bush Beans
Bush beans grow on compact, bushy plants that do not require staking or support.
They are easy to grow and have a shorter growing season than pole beans.
Bush beans produce crisp, tender pods ideal for home gardens and small spaces.
- Growth: Compact, bushy
- Best For: Steaming, boiling, sautéing
- Features: No support needed, shorter growing season
6. Runner Beans
Runner beans are a type of green bean known for their long, flat pods and vibrant flowers.
They are typically grown on trellises or poles and can reach impressive lengths.
Runner beans are slightly tougher than other green beans but have a rich, hearty flavor.
- Growth: Climbing, requires support
- Best For: Boiling, stewing
- Features: Long, flat pods, vibrant flowers
7. Yardlong Beans
Yardlong beans, also known as asparagus or Chinese long beans, are a unique variety that can grow up to three feet long.
They have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a crisp texture.
Yardlong beans are commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly stir-fries and salads.
- Length: Up to 3 feet
- Best For: Stir-fries, salads, grilling
- Features: Mild flavor, often used in Asian cuisine
8. Romano Beans
Romano beans, or Italian flat beans, have wide, flat pods with a tender, meaty texture.
They have a slightly nutty flavor and are often used in Mediterranean dishes.
Romano beans are versatile and can be steamed, sautéed, or added to soups and stews.
- Texture: Tender, meaty
- Best For: Steaming, sautéing, soups, stews
- Features: Wide, flat pods, nutty flavor
9. Wax Beans
Wax beans are similar to green beans but have yellow pods instead of green.
They have a slightly sweeter flavor and a tender texture.
Wax beans can be used interchangeably with green beans in most recipes, adding a pop of color to dishes.
- Color: Yellow
- Best For: Steaming, boiling, sautéing
- Features: Sweet flavor, adds color to dishes
10. Flat Beans
Flat beans are a broader, flatter variety of green beans with a tender texture. They are similar to Romano beans but can be found in various sizes. Flat beans are ideal for steaming, sautéing, or adding to casseroles and stews.
- Shape: Broad, flat pods
- Best For: Steaming, sautéing, casseroles
- Features: Tender texture, versatile use
11. Purple Green Beans
Purple green beans, or Royal Burgundy beans, are a vibrant purple variety.
They have a mild flavor and a crisp texture. Interestingly, when cooked, these beans turn green, making them a fun and colorful addition to salads and stir-fries.
- Color: Purple (turns green when cooked)
- Best For: Salads, stir-fries, steaming
- Features: Colorful, mild flavor, crisp texture
12. Chinese Long Beans
Chinese long beans, or yardlong beans or snake beans, are a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine.
They are similar to regular green beans but much longer and slightly thinner.
These beans are often stir-fried, grilled, or used in soups and stews.
- Length: Long, thin pods
- Best For: Stir-fries, grilling, soups
- Features: Common in Asian dishes, mild flavor
13. Kentucky Wonder Beans
Kentucky Wonder beans are an heirloom variety of pole beans known for their vigorous growth and high yields.
They produce long, stringless pods with a rich, full flavor.
Kentucky Wonder beans are ideal for home gardens and can be used in various dishes.
- Growth: Climbing, requires support
- Best For: Steaming, sautéing, canning
- Features: Heirloom variety, rich flavor, stringless pods
14. Blue Lake Beans
Blue Lake beans are a popular variety of bush beans known for their tender, stringless pods and excellent flavor.
They are widely grown in home gardens and are perfect for canning, freezing, or fresh eating.
Blue Lake beans are versatile and easy to grow.
- Growth: Bush type
- Best For: Fresh eating, canning, freezing
- Features: Stringless pods, tender texture, rich flavor
15. Scarlet Runner Beans
Scarlet runner beans are known for their striking red flowers and long, flat pods.
They are often grown as ornamental plants, but the beans are also edible and have a rich, hearty flavor.
Scarlet runner beans are best cooked in stews, soups, or a side dish.
- Growth: Climbing requires support
- Best For: Stews, soups, side dishes
- Features: Red flowers, long flat pods, rich flavor
Conclusion
Green beans come in various types, offering unique flavors, textures, and culinary possibilities.
From the delicate French green beans to the robust scarlet runner beans, a green bean variety suits every palate and recipe.
By understanding these different types, you can maximize your garden harvest or grocery store selection, adding diversity and nutrition to your meals.
