Runner Beans

This is a slightly unusual way to prepare runner beans. A lot less boring than your steamed / boiled variety.

based on 402 reviews

Ingredients for 4

As this web site can calculate ingredient amounts for both Metric and US visitors and for any amount of persons, some measures may appear a bit odd at times. We do round and try to be as clever as we can with the calculations... If you have any ideas on improving this system, we would like your comments on our contact page.

Show US units

Ingredients
400	grams	runner beans
1	onion	onion (medium size, 160g each)	(160 grams)
1	rasher	bacon	(30 grams)
1 1/16	tablespoon	goose fat	(16 grams)
1/4	teaspoon	salt	(2 grams)
1 1/2	teaspoon	dried oregano	(1.5 grams)
1/8	teaspoon	ground black pepper	(0.4 grams)

Salt content: 0.3% (by weight, not counting salt in other ingredients)

Method

Please see the step-by-step instructions.

Step-by-Step Instructions

	Wash the runner beans and take the ends off ...
	I use a peeler to take the sides with the stringy bits in them off. You can do that with a paring knife as well.
	Chop the onion - first into slices, then half the slices.
	Then cut them into small strips.
	Put the goose fat into a saucepan (alternatively, use some olive oil).
	Cut the bacon into squares.
	Heat the saucepan and fry the onions together with the bacon until the onions start changing colour.
	Now add the chopped beans. Add salt and pepper and the oregano. Careful with the salt as the bacon will already contain a fair amount.
	Stir, put the lid on and turn the heat low. The idea here is to cook the beans without adding water - there is enough moisture in them so they won't burn. The trick is not to lift the lid too often, nor to use too much heat - and to stir them once in a while. After 20 minutes, they will be done.
	Tastes as good as it looks!

7	soomething new to try, looks good
10	This was great. I think I like green beans now.
5	very good thank you
10	Great recipe. Works really well if you use a bean slicer/stringer gadget found at cooking shops. The best way to cut the scarlet runners we've found.
9	Excellt, always looking for new ways to cook veg and this was really tasty !
8	Very good recipe
9	really loved it, wish I did it with panceta instead of the bacon though. So delicious!
10	With my enormous harvest ,could I cook this up and freeze portions to reheat through the winter months ? It sounds so yummy ! : )
9	easy to follow will try this thanks
10	This sounds delitious, will also try without bacon, and after cooking add greek yougurt on. and eat cool.
10	Really nice, used chorizo instead of bacon
10	excellent receipe made to look easy and it was
10	cooking made simple.perfect.
10	The photos were very helpful and great simple instructions!
10	cooking the beans for 20min is FAR too long - too soft. 5 mins is enough to keep the fresh flavour of the beans
10	I added large garlic clove in with the onion - was lush.
10	Looks very good. I was reading a book and the author mentioned runner beans. Had never heard of them. I'll try them someday.
10	Very good. Thank you.
10	Brilliant. I followed the instructions and using the photos as well, had the confidence to have a go!. Thanks a lot
9	Excdellent - I really dont like beans but this was delish - thanks!
8	great thanks
10	I tried something the same using small cubed bits salami, it was great.
9	just tried it. Used Serano ham instead of the bacon and a dded a little bit of butter at the end... Really good. Thank you...
10	Really love the way it was explained and shown. Will definitively try.
8	i do this with Brussell sprouts too! Delicious.
10	Brilliant. Thank you.
10	Lovely, I added cheese when cooked yum yum!!
10	thanks for the instuctions
10	I aqrvested runner beans today from my garden and did nothave a clue how to cook them . this was great. thank you.
10	Very useful!
10	very well explained and picture perfect
10	My dad grows runner beans, and we never know how to cook them! i found this recipe,bought some bacon, and we made it together.SO DELICIOUS.we bothed love it. the pictures made it so much more enjoyable to follow each step,with my laptop beside us in the kitchen.YUM!!! thanks!! -seattle, WA, USA
10	This is the first and only site that I have come across that gives clear foolproof directions for preparing and cooking. Thanks you
10	great advice,thank you
10	I made this today it was YUMMYYYY
10	Great pictures, very simply and effectively done!! Thank you.
10	Great pictures, very simply and effectively done!! Thank you.
10	Great recipe for those of us that are lucky enough to be over-run with runners this year. I didn't have any oregano, so instead I added a good splosh of dark soy sauce whilst it was cooking. It tasted good, so next time I am going to do some plain boiled rice as well :-)
10	Just picked from garden recipe looks great looking forward to tasting, thank you.
10	Beautiful, never thought of doing them like that.
10	Fantastic recipe - made it twice this week already!!
8	Im only 18 and dont really cook much, but was left at home with little to cook with, found this recipe, went and picked some runners and tried it out, lovely recipe, with great easy to follow instructions :)
8	i like the clarity, the kindness, the photos just not SUPER keen on the recipe. Thanks.
10	Fantastic thanks. Might add a few peas next time.
7	we grow runner beans beans and this year they have gonr crazy we seem to have hundreds of the things we wanted a recipe that used up loads of them this was not teh one but it does look like it makes teh plain vegetable more tasty :) i might try it (Y)
8	I can appreciate how the bacon would greatly improve the flavour.
10	Very helpful. Will try it tomorrow, cheers! Tommy
10	very simple to follow.excellent!
9	looks yum!
8	nice recipe - the original is a very tasty and simple way of preparing a potentially dull vegtable. I second someone's suggestion about mushrooms though - could make a great addition.