Green beans are one of my favorite vegetables. They are easy to grow and prepare and are versatile in recipes. They are highly nutritious, with lots of vitamins and minerals. After you have had a couple of meals with your fresh green bean harvest, start thinking about freezing them. Freezing green beans is a simple process that will help you to enjoy your harvest all winter long. I'm going to show you step by step how to freeze green beans.
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How to Freeze Green Beans Step by Step
Preparation
First, pick your green beans. It's best to use the freshest possible beans you can. I sometimes have to leave them in the fridge for a couple of days before I can get to freezing them. It's okay to do this, but the less time they sit in the refrigerator before freezing, the better and more nutritious they will be.
When you're ready to freeze your green beans, cut or break off the ends of the green beans. I just snap off both ends, but you can use a knife or scissors if you prefer. Then, you can break or cut them into pieces. This is optional. You can freeze them whole as well.
After I snap off the ends and break them up, I put them into a colander so I can easily rinse them off before blanching. I don't use any chemicals in my garden, so a quick rinse to remove any dirt or bugs is all I need to do.
Blanching
Before freezing your green beans, you will want to blanch them. This is an important step. It will help your green beans retain their flavor, color and nutritional value. Blanching is an easy process and well worth the extra bit of time it takes.
Boiling
Boil a pot of water. While your water boils, fill a large bowl about halfway with ice and cold water. This will be your ice bath to stop the cooking process when you take the green beans out of the boiling water.
Once the water is boiling, pour your green beans in the pot and let them sit in the hot water for about two to three minutes. The water will stop boiling when the beans are put in the pot, but start counting the time immediately. You will see the beans turn a bright green shade. This is what you want to see.
Ice Bath
After about two to three minutes in the boiling water, use a slotted spoon to transfer the green beans from the pot into the ice water bath. Alternatively, if you want to drain the water from the beans using a colander and then run cold water over them, that is another method. I think the ice water bath cools the green beans more quickly and more thoroughly. Just make sure that the cooking process is stopped as soon as possible.
If using the ice bath, let the green beans cool fully and then drain the water and ice from the beans. Put a kitchen towel on a baking tray, and place the green beans on top to drain and dry. You can also cover them up with another towel to try to soak up any extra water.
How to Store Green Beans
After allowing the green beans to dry until there isn't too much excess moisture, place them in the container you want to use for storage. I use sandwich baggies, because I like the amount that it holds for one meal. You can use other size baggies or containers.
Another optional step at this point is to take the air out of the baggies if this is the storage method you have chosen. To do this, simply remove as much air as possible and close the baggie most of the way. Stick a drinking straw into the baggie and suck out all of the air possible. Quickly close the baggie the rest of the way.
Update on Storage:
The above method works for getting air out of bags and storing green beans in the freezer just fine. However, if you're looking for an alternative, I have found the Food Saver automatic vacuum sealer to be a HUGE time saver. The food stays better in the freezer and doesn't get the ice crystals on it. I invested in a bigger Food Saver like this. This one is perfect for me, and I love it. I bought this one because I am planning on using it for freezing meat as well.
There are less expensive options like this one. So, it really depends on your budget and what you plan on using it for. Mine has been used for peppers, pesto and green beans so far. I plan on using it for other vegetables as they are harvested. It was a great investment. I am kind of in love with it and so glad I purchased it!
Some uses for frozen green beans:
Soups
Stews
Side dish
Casseroles
Pasta
Freezing green beans from your harvest is an easy way to provide delicious, nourishing food for your family throughout the winter. How do you like to freeze and use green beans?
