So it’s that time of year when the garden is in full swing and you’re probably bringing in more produce than you can eat! Or maybe you found a great deal at your local farmer’s market, and you picked up a bushel or two of your favorite veggie. And maybe you’re like us, and one of your favorite veggies just happens to be green beans! In this post, I’m going to show you one of my favorite ways to make sure all our extra produce doesn’t go to waste! We’ll be going over how to preserve green beans by freezing that only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish!
Choosing The Best Green Beans For Freezing
Delicious home preserved frozen green beans starts with the green bean itself. Some green beans will be more suited for other preservation methods, such as canning, while others are optimal for freezing. The best type of green bean to preserve by freezing is a tender slim bean.
Because there’s a good chance that you’ll be cooking these frozen green beans through light sautéing, you want to avoid thick tough beans. This type of bean is best left for canning or long slow cooking. It’s also a good idea to choose a bean without a thick string.
Let’s go over some varieties that are great candidates for freezing! Tenderette or slenderette beans are great options. These beans don’t have strings, and are tender and slim. French green beans, Rolande, and Maxibel are also great options for the same reasons!
Now if you did not grow your own beans, and you’re not sure the variety and the farmer’s market – no worries! You can easily tell what will be a good freezing green bean simply by looking at it! If the bean is slender, long, without large beans throughout, it’s a great freezing bean!
Why Preserve Green Beans Using The Freezer Method
There are a few reasons why you may want to preserve your green beans by freezing. First, this method of preservation is extremely simple and requires very little equipment. You likely already own everything you would need for this preservation method.
Second, frozen green beans retain nutrients better than beans preserved using some other methods such as canning. Although canning is a fabulous way of preservation, (learn how to can green beans in this post), there is not as much retained nutrients in this preservation method. The high heat used in canning has the potential to diminish the A, B, and C vitamins in many products.
Preservation by freezing however, requires only minimal heat, and the nutritional value is similar to that of fresh green beans.
Preparing Your Green Beans
Of course, if you’re not buying your beans at a farmer’s market, the first step to preserving your beans is to pick them. Green beans mature in about 8 weeks. Check them regularly leading up to this time frame.
When the beans are about 4-6 inches long with only slight flexibility, you should begin to harvest. Gently tug on the bean near its connection to the vine to remove it.
Once you have picked all your beans, snap off the tail from each end. Continue until all your beans have been snapped.
Now, your beans will need washed. Fill a clean sink with cool water and add your beans. Swish them around a few times and repeat the process 2 more times.
On the final wash, rinse them under cool water and transfer them to a clean towel on the counter.
Now you’re ready to start the blanching process.
Blanching Your Green Beans
To begin the process of blanching your green beans, fill a large stock pot with water. Place the stock pot over medium – high heat, and bring to a boil. For about 3 quarts of beans, you will need a 5 quart saucepan filled about 2/3 full.
While the water is coming to a boil, prepare a timer or stopwatch. You’ll need this handy!
Also while waiting for the water to boil, prepare your sink basin with fresh clean ice water. You can do this by adding ice or ice packs – just so the water feels cold to the touch.
By now, the water is likely boiling. Transfer your beans into a colander or bowl so that you can easily and quickly transfer them. Have the lid for the stock pot ready to go.
Once the water is to a full boil, transfer the beans into the water, place the lid on the stock pot, and set your timer for 3 minutes.
Immediately after the three minutes, place a colander in the other side of your sink, and drain the green beans. Transfer the green beans to the ice bath for a few minutes.
Swish the beans in the ice bath to thoroughly cool them, then transfer to beans to a clean towel on the counter. Allow the beans to drain into the towel for about 10 minutes.
Package the beans in a gallon freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready to consume!
Storing Your Green Beans
These beans are best stored for a year or less. I have stored them for up to 18 months, and this is basically fine too! However, beans stored in the freezer can accumulate ice over time and become freezer burned if left too long. So to play it safe, consume these green beans these green beans in a year or less for a deliciously fresh taste!
Bonus Simple Recipe!
To make a delicious and extremely simple green bean side dish, heat about a tablespoon of butter in a skillet. Add a few cups of the frozen green beans to the skillet and add salt and pepper to taste. Sauté in the skillet for about 10 minutes over medium heat until the beans are just beginning to soften. Serve with your favorite meal for a delicious and very nutritious side dish!
I hope you enjoyed learning how to preserve green beans by freezing! Let us know in the comments below if you plan on giving this a try!
Be sure to also check out the post on canning to round out your knowledge of preserving green beans!
If you love the idea of becoming more self-sufficient through food preservation, be sure to give this method a try and tag us on Instagram and Facebook to share your results @almostheavenhomesteading
Pin this tutorial to your board of ideas for inspiration!
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