5 Easy Steps for Freezing Green Beans to Enjoy Year-Round

Green beans aren't just a summer treat. Use your freezer to preserve them and enjoy their fresh taste all year long. With just a few simple steps, you can keep your green beans ready for any season.

Tips for Choosing the Best Green Beans to Freeze

Whenever possible, opt for loose green beans rather than pre-packaged ones. This gives you the chance to handpick the freshest beans. Look for vibrant green beans, free from yellowing or brown spots.

The beans should feel firm yet bendable, with smooth skin and no soft areas. If you're buying pre-bagged beans, try to inspect the contents through the packaging. Choose bags that appear dry and check for the freshest expiration date.

Is Blanching Necessary Before Freezing Green Beans?

While you can freeze green beans without blanching, doing so yields the best results. Blanching helps preserve the beans' vibrant green color, and according to Registered Dietitian and Chef Abbie Gellman, it also removes dirt and bacteria, preventing spoilage. Briefly boiling them in salted water locks in texture, flavor, and nutrients. 

Should I Trim My Green Beans Before Freezing?

Although trimming green beans before freezing might seem like a chore, Chef Julie Lopez, RD suggests it's a time-saver. By trimming them in advance, you can quickly grab prepped beans from the freezer without needing to do extra work later.  

How to Freeze Green Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt (about 2 tablespoons per quart). The National Center for Home Food Preservation suggests using one gallon of water per pound of vegetables when blanching.

Step 2: Set up a bowl of ice water near your stovetop, and have a slotted spoon or kitchen tongs within reach. Prepare a baking sheet lined with a towel to place the beans on afterward.

Step 3: Add the trimmed green beans (work in batches if you have a large amount) to the boiling water. Bring back to a boil, then cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the beans are crisp-tender.

Step 4: Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove the beans from the boiling water and transfer them to the ice water bath. Push the beans down to fully submerge them. Let them cool for 2 to 3 minutes, then move them to the towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry.

Step 5: Once the beans are completely dry, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the green beans in a single layer. Freeze for about 1 hour until fully frozen. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container, removing excess air, sealing it tightly, and labeling with the date.

How Long Can You Keep Frozen Green Beans?

Fresh green beans only last about a week in the fridge, but when frozen, they stay good for up to a year. Be sure to label and date your containers so you know when they need to be used.

How to Thaw and Use Frozen Green Beans

Good news! There's no need to thaw frozen green beans before using them. You can toss them straight into recipes like stir-fries, sheet-pan meals, or simple sautéed beans. Since the beans were blanched before freezing, they’ve already been partially cooked, so they won't need much additional cooking time.

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