IN THIS ARTICLE Equipment | Step by Step | Containers | Storage
Green Beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow at home. The plant will grow fast and go crazy producing pretty flowers then a bounty of beans. The beans are sweet and delicious to eat fresh, but what do you do with all the extra beans you can’t use now? One solution is to freeze your beans so you can enjoy them later. Have you ever wondered how to freeze Green Beans at home?
To freeze Green Beans you’ll need freezer bags, baking trays, a strainer, a pot of boiling water, a freezer, and Green Beans of course. It’s that simple.
There is real satisfaction in eating beans that you preserved yourself. In the depths of winter, you’ll be able to reach into your freezer and pull out a bag of your own beans. Whether you grow your own beans or simply buy extra beans when they are in season and cheap, this article will help you make the most of them. I prefer to Blanche beans before freezing as this helps to retain the original texture and color when you come to use them.
If you’d like to try growing your own beans, take a look at my article How to Grow Green Beans in Plant Pots or Containers.
What Equipment Do I Need To Freeze Beans
- A large pot (preserving pan or stock pot)
- A large bowl
- A strainer or sieve (I prefer the basket type)
- Cool water
- A sharp knife
- A cutting board
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper or baking paper
- Freezer bags. The zipper type are a good choice.
- A freezer
How To Freeze Green Beans Step By Step
Step 1
Fill your large pot or preserving pan with water and put it on the stove to boil. You’ll need about 1 gallon (4 liters) of water for every pound (half a kilo) of beans. Add a pinch of table salt to the water.
Step 2
While your large pot is heating, wash your beans in cold water. Just make sure all the dirt from outside is gone and they look clean. Drain them in your strainer or sieve.
Step 3
Fill your large bowl with cool water about 1 gallon (4 liters) of water for every pound (half a kilo) of beans. This is going to be used to cool your beans after blanching. Set the bowl aside.
Step 4
Trim your beans. I like to remove the top and tail of each bean with a sharp knife. Also, you can remove the strings by pulling them off by hand. Some varieties of beans don’t have tough strings, so it may not be necessary.
Step 5
I also like to slice my Green Beans into 1 inch (3 cm) lengths with a sharp knife. It doesn’t take much time and the beans are easier to handle as they are all a similar size.
Step 6
When your large pot of water is boiling, pour your beans into the pot. Let the beans boil for just 2 minutes. Once the 2 minutes is up, pour your beans and boiling water through your strainer or sieve. Now pour your beans from the strainer or sieve into the bowl of cool water. Keep your beans in the cool water for about 3 minutes. Finally, transfer your beans back to your strainer or sieve to drain.
This process is called blanching, which lightly cooks the beans. It helps the beans to retain their texture and color when frozen.
Step 7
While your beans are draining in a strainer or sieve, lay out parchment or baking paper on your trays. Take your blanched beans and give them a final dry off with a clean tea towel or paper towel. Now spread your beans over the parchment paper. Ensure they are well spread out and don’t overlap or touch each other, we don’t want them to clump together when we freeze them.
Step 8
We are ready to move the trays of beans to the freezer. Freeze them for 2 hours. This is long enough to make them easy to handle. After 2 hours, transfer the beans to freezer bags or containers. Store them in portion sizes that suit your family’s needs. Don’t forget to label them and include the date. Return the labeled beans to the freezer.
What Are The Best Freezer Bags For Green Beans
I’ve found the best freezer bags to use for Green Beans are the zip top style bags. These are purpose made for the job and are reusable. After each use just wash them and they are good for another use.
TIP I prefer to use good quality freezer bags as they can be reused many times. This is my favorite brand.
Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Freezer Bags, Grip ‘n Seal Technology for Easier Grip, Open, and Close.
Pack includes 60 Ziploc brand Freezer Bags for food storage made of durable and long-lasting BPA-free plastic* *Product not formulated with BPA (Bisphenol A). Our triple system seal features an extended tab, new, easy grip texture and a double zipper.
How Long Can I Store Frozen Green Beans
Frozen Green Beans will be good for about the next 12 months. Their quality slowly declines as they age, so the date on the bag is really important. If you have a chest freezer, you’ll find your frozen Green Beans will keep better. This type of freezer prevents freezer burn when you open and close the door.
Conclusion
Whether you grow your own Green Beans or you buy them in bulk when they’re in season, there is no better way to preserve all those extra beans than freezing. You’ll be glad to have your own homemade Frozen Green Beans on hand, especially during the winter months. Your frozen beans will be firm, sweet, delicious, and healthy. It is just so simple to prepare and freeze Green Beans. I do it every year and I still find it rewarding. Write and tell me your thoughts.
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