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Learn how to freeze green beans for the best texture. From selection to sealing, you’ll learn the best tips to enjoy fresh green beans for months to come!
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It’s important to know the best method for freezing fresh green beans. Maybe you have an excess, or you just want to preserve their texture.
Freezer green beans tend to have a texture closer to fresh than canned ones, but there’s a step you can’t overlook for crisp green beans.
It’s blanching, and you’ll understand more about its importance below.
How to Choose Green Beans for Freezing
Before you ask yourself, “How do you freeze fresh green beans?” start with the question: what are the best green beans for freezing?
Select firm green beans that are free of blemishes, soft spots, browning, or yellowing. Remember, freezing does not improve their quality, so start with the freshest beans possible.
How do you freeze fresh green beans from the garden? If you’re picking your own, choose young beans, as overgrown ones will be tough, stringy, and won’t hold up well once frozen. Pods that haven’t yet developed seeds are best.
How to Freeze Green Beans
- Select young, firm green beans.
- Rinse and remove their stems and ends.
- Cut into 2-inch pieces.
- Bring 1 gallon of water to a rapid boil.
- Once boiling, add 1 pound of green beans and boil for 3 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pot when blanching green beans.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the green beans into a bowl full of icy cold water.
- After 3 minutes, remove and drain the green beans.
- Dry the green beans in a salad spinner.
- Flash freeze until firm.
- Transfer into freezer-safe bags or freezer containers and label accordingly.
- Preserve green beans at an ideal freezer temperature of 0°F or lower for long-term storage.
Should I Trim Green Beans Before Freezing?
Another key step when preserving green beans is trimming them first. Snap off the ends, or if freezing fresh green beans in a big batch, line up the ends and chop them off with a knife.
Freezing green beans in halves or thirds also makes storage and cooking easier since you won’t need to slice them later for the recipe.
Do You Thaw Frozen Green Beans Before Cooking?
You don’t need to thaw frozen green beans before cooking.
In fact, cooking frozen green beans without thawing will give you the best crisp texture.
If you’re making a recipe that requires thawing frozen green beans, place them in the fridge overnight or use your microwave’s thaw setting to save time.
How to Use Frozen Green Beans
Now that you know how to freeze green beans, what is the best way to cook frozen green beans?
There are many easy frozen green bean recipes to try, as you can use the beans directly from the freezer.
For example, a basic sauteed green bean recipe only takes 10 minutes. How long to cook frozen green beans in the pan? You can saute them on medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes!
How to cook frozen green beans if the recipe requires thawing?
Some recipe ideas, like slow cooker green bean casserole (check out our must-try Crockpot green bean casserole), are best made with thawed frozen green beans to avoid adding extra moisture to the dish.
You’ll want to thaw them in the fridge overnight, drain them well, and blot them before use.
FAQ About Freezing Beans
What is the best way to prepare green beans for freezing?
The best way to freeze green beans is to cut and blanch them first. Cutting the beans lets you add them directly to dishes. Freezing them without blanching isn’t a good idea if you want them to stay crisp and fresh!
How long to blanch green beans?
Consider their size when blanching green beans for freezing. Blanch medium to large beans for 3 minutes and smaller ones for 2 minutes. Remember the length of the blanching process, as you’ll need to plunge the green beans into an ice bath or bowl of ice water for the same amount of time.
How do you freeze green beans in Ziploc bags?
Pat the blanched green beans dry to prevent ice crystals. Then, flash freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet pan to keep them from sticking together. Once firm, transfer the frozen fresh green beans to your resealable freezer bags, removing as much air as possible before sealing them. Freeze for 6 to 8 months for the best quality!
Can you freeze green beans without blanching them first?
You need to learn how to blanch green beans for freezing since it’s a crucial step to keep them crisp, vibrant, and flavorful.
How long are frozen green beans good for?
When freezing fresh green beans, remember to use them within 6 to 8 months for the best texture and flavor.
How to Freeze Green Beans
Ingredients
Instructions
- Select young, firm green beans.
- Rinse and remove their stems and ends.
- Cut into 2-inch pieces.
- Bring 1 gallon of water to a rapid boil.
- Once boiling, add 1 pound of green beans and boil for 3 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pot when blanching green beans.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the green beans into a bowl full of icy cold water.
- After 3 minutes, remove and drain the green beans.
- Dry the green beans in a salad spinner.
- Flash freeze until firm.
- Transfer into freezer-safe bags or freezer containers and label accordingly.
- Preserve green beans at an ideal freezer temperature of 0°F or lower for long-term storage.
Notes
- Don’t forget to stop the cooking process after blanching to avoid mushy green beans!
- To avoid freezer burn, dry the green beans well before storing them in your freezer-safe containers.
- Label and date your bags or containers so you’ll know when to use your frozen green beans!
Conclusion
And there you have it! Learning how to freeze green beans is as easy as selecting the best-quality beans from the start, washing and cutting them, blanching, and drying them well.
Skip the unblanched green beans if you want fresh, crisp beans.
Whether they’re from the supermarket or your own harvest, you can keep crisp, tasty, vibrant green beans for months with this method!
You don’t even need to thaw frozen green beans for most recipes.
Now that you know the secrets on how to freeze green beans, here are other helpful reads related to frozen food and food storage:
- How to Freeze Corn
- How to Freeze Bananas
- How to Freeze Zucchini
- How to Freeze Dry Peaches
- How to Reheat Frozen Lasagna
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