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I have another time & money saving tip for you today–How to Freeze Green Beans! One of my favorite vegetables are green beans. They taste great in soup, fresh veggie salads, on the grill and more! We plant green beans each season and we enjoy being able to have fresh green bean each year just by freezing them. Freezing the beans is very simple but you can’t just wash them and pop them in a freezer bag. We need to blanch them first.
What is blanching? Blanching is the process of putting vegetables in boiling water for a short amount of time and then immediately placed in a ice bath to stop the cooking process. Blanching vegetables keeps the color crisp and stops the enzymes from making your green beans go off color or get limp if you didn’t blanch them.
First step. Cut off the ends of your green beans and give them a good wash. Cut your green beans in similar bite sizes.
Boil a pot of water and drop in your green beans. Boil the green beans for about 3-4 minutes. Immediately immerse green beans in a bowl filled with ice. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
Place your vegetables on a towel. Make sure the green beans are completely dry before you place the green beans in a freezer safe bag.
Place green beans in a freezer safe ziploc bag and freeze until later use.
Jo Bunce says
I used to do mine this way and then I read an Amish cookbook and their recipe said to steam the beans. Do not blanch in water. Steaming keeps the beans flavorful and fresh tasting. Steam for 9 minutes and then cool in very cold water, drain and freeze. They are very, very tasty this way.
Katie says
Hi Jo! What a great tip! I will definitely have to try that next time! 🙂
Makariti says
This certainly makes a lot of sense!
Susan says
That’s great news and easy to get them ready for the freezer, now how do I cook them from the freezer?
xrysa says
I wonder why we have to boil the beans before freezing. For many years I freeze them fresh and they have not problem for almost 12 months.
Brinda Winger says
Oh my! Thanks! The “freezing green beans” info was EXACTLY what I was looking for!!!! You are the best there has ever BEAN! :~} Brinda
Sue says
Wow, that was easy! Thanks for your well-explained and illustrated hint on green beans.
Claudia says
So tasty! That looks impressive!