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Green Beans in a white bowl on a marble counter
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How to Freeze Green Beans

Learn 2 of the best methods for how to freeze green beans. Both the blanch and unblanched method of freezing green beans.
Prep Time5 minutes
Active Time5 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Blanched Green Beans, Frozen Green Beans, How to Freeze Green Beans

Materials

  • green beans as much as you want to freeze

Instructions

Method #1: Freeze Unblanched Green Beans

  • Wash Green Beans
    First be sure to wash your green beans. Be sure to also look through while washing and remove any less then desirable green beans or long stems.
  • Snap off ends
    Snapping green beans is truly theraputic for me. You can leave them long and snap off the ends before freezing, or cut to size if you want a classic inch long piece. This is all the prep necessary for method 1. 
  • Place prepped green beans into freezer bag. 
    Add your prepped green beans into a labeled gallon freezer bag. Be sure to remove as much air as possible and then freeze. 
  • Freeze for 6-9 months.
    Green beans should stay good for 6-9 months in the freezer. 

Method #2: Freeze Blanched Green Beans

  • Prepare a Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper
    Cover a baking sheet (with a lip) with parchment paper. This will keep your green beans from sticking and make it easy to transfer once frozen. 
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 
    Blanching is a method of sticking vegetables into boiling water for 1-2 minutes and then setting into an ice bath. Be sure to get a pot of boiling water on the stove right away so you are not waiting on the water. 
  • Snap ends off green beans.
    While the water boiling snap the ends off your fresh green beans. Cut to preferred size if you want or leave them whole and rustic. 
  • Blanch Green Beans for 1-2 Minutes. 
    Set green beans into boiling water for 1-2 minutes then remove and place into an ice bath, or run under cold water for a few minutes. 
  • Place Green Beans into Prepared Baking Sheet. 
    Set baking sheet with green beans into the freezer for 1-2 hours. Do not freeze too much longer than 2 hours otherwise green beans may develop freezer burn.
    Green beans will be mostly frozen with a couple spots that may still have to freeze completely. 
    Don’t worry if they still have a little way to go. They will finish freezing in step 6.  
  • Transfer frozen green beans into a freezer bag. 
    Once green beans are in a freezer bag remove as much air as possible and seal. 
    TIP: Don’t forget to label the freezer bag and write an expiration date on the bag. (Today’s date plus 6-9 months).