🟢 Safe
Oxalate <25 mg/serving
🟡 Caution
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving
🔴 Avoid
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving
🟢

Beans, Green, Variety, boiled or steamed

🟢 Safe — Low Oxalate
15 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1/2 cup (62 g) | Per 100 g: 24 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

Green beans are a reliable, low-oxalate vegetable that works as a side dish for virtually any meal. About 15 mg oxalate per half-cup — safely under the 25 mg threshold. They're available fresh, frozen, and canned (rinse canned to reduce sodium). Steam them, sauté with garlic and olive oil, or add to casseroles. The classic green bean casserole adds significant sodium from processed soup — the green beans themselves aren't the problem. For a kidney-stone-safe preparation: steam fresh or frozen green beans, toss with a little butter, and serve alongside chicken or fish.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

15 mg
Oxalate / serving
Low Oxalate
0 mg
Sodium / 100g
Low Na
2.0 g
Protein / 100g
Tier 1
40 mg
Calcium / 100g
Tier 1

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1/2 cup62 g15 mg Safe
2 x 1/2 cup124 g30 mg Caution
½ x 1/2 cup31 g7.5 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Vegetables 🟢 Oxalate Safe Low Oxalate Plant-Based

🟢 See all Vegetables rated Safe for kidney stones →

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Should I avoid Beans if I have kidney stones?

No red flags here. Just 15 mg per 1/2 cup — well below the 25 mg danger line. You can keep Beans in your regular rotation. Data comes from Harvard (2024).

How much oxalate is in Beans?

15 mg — that's the oxalate in a standard 1/2 cup of Beans. For the 100g comparison freaks: 24 mg. Source is Harvard's 2024 food analysis project.

Is Beans high in oxalates?

Definitely low. 15 mg oxalate per 1/2 cup. That's the green zone. No restrictions needed for this food.

What are the best low-oxalate alternatives to Beans?

Don't give up the whole category — just pick a safer member of it. The green foods in the related section all work as substitutes for Beans with a fraction of the oxalate.

How much sodium does Beans have?

Low sodium: 0 mg/100g. That's a non-issue for kidney stones. Just don't undo it by drowning it in salt during cooking.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

📚 Data Sources

Oxalate: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via OHF. Nutrition: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy 2018 & Foundation Foods).

📖 Key Scientific References

Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Oxalate intake and the risk for nephrolithiasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(7):2198-2204. PMID: 17538185
Borghi L, Schianchi T, Meschi T, et al. Comparison of two diets for the prevention of recurrent stones in idiopathic hypercalciuria. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(2):77-84. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa010369
Fink HA, Akornor JW, Garimella PS, et al. Diet, fluid, or supplements for secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):72-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.03.031
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Gambaro G, Curhan GC. Dietary and lifestyle factors for primary prevention of nephrolithiasis. BMC Nephrol. 2020;21(1):267. PMID: 32652950
Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG, et al. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192(2):316-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.05.006
Liebman M, Costa G. Effects of calcium and magnesium on urinary oxalate excretion after oxalate loads. J Urol. 2000;163(5):1565-1569. PMID: 10751889
Holmes RP, Assimos DG. The impact of dietary oxalate on kidney stone formation. Urol Res. 2004;32(5):311-316. DOI: 10.1007/s00240-004-0437-3
Lin BB, Lin ME, Huang RH, et al. Dietary treatment and fluid intake for prevention of recurrent calcium stones. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0250257. PMID: 33872340
This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.