How to Freeze Fresh Green Beans From the Garden
A simple way to preserve fresh green beans from the garden. Blanch the beans, cool them in a cold water bath, then package and freeze—no flash freezing required.
Equipment
- Large stockpot or blancher (steamer pot with lid)
- Slotted spoon or scoop
- Cutting board and paring knife, optional
- Large Bowls
- Freezer bags, freezer-safe containers, or vacuum-seal bags
Materials
- Fresh green beans
- Water
- Ice optional
Instructions
Wash and prepare the green beans.
- Wash the beans and remove the ends. Pinch the ends off with your fingers and break the beans into your desired size or use a cutting board and paring knife to cut off the ends and make more uniform pieces.
Prepare the boiling water.
- If using a stockpot, fill it about halfway with water and bring it to a boil. If using a blancher, fill the pot according to the manufacturer's instructions and bring the water to a boil.
Prepare the cold water bath.
- While the water is heating, fill a large bowl with cold water. Add ice if desired to help cool the beans faster.
Blanch the green beans.
- Once the water is boiling, add green beans—the beans should remain under the water rather than being piled above the water. Let the water return to a boil, then remove the beans right away.
Cool the beans.
- If using a stockpot, remove the beans with a slotted spoon or scoop. If using a blancher with a basket, carefully lift the basket with hot pads and allow the water to drain. Immediately place the beans into the cold water bath.
Chill completely.
- Let the beans cool until they are cold to the touch. You may need to change the cold water once or twice. Ice can help speed up the cooling process but isn't necessary.
Drain.
- Drain the beans well or remove them from the water and place them in another bowl until you're ready to package them. Continue blanching and cooling the beans in batches until all the beans are finished.
Package.
- Fill freezer bags, freezer-safe containers, or vacuum-seal bags with the portion sizes of green beans you want to freeze. Remove as much air as possible and seal. There is no need to flash freeze the green beans in a single layer first.
Label and freeze.
- Label and date each package and place directly into the freezer.
Notes
Break or cut the beans into whatever size pieces you prefer.
Ice is optional when cooling the beans, but it can speed up the process.
Work in batches if you have a large amount of beans.
Do not let the beans continue cooking after the water returns to a boil. The goal is to blanch them, then cool them quickly.
