How to Freeze Green Beans

Enjoy summer green beans all year long by freezing them! This post explains How to Freeze Green Beans, how to blanch green beans for freezing, how to thaw frozen green beans, and more!  

Can You Freeze Green Beans? 

Green beans are one of the best vegetables for freezing. Once frozen, green beans retain their crisp-tender texture even after being thawed! 

Freezing green beans extends their shelf life so you can enjoy their fresh flavor year-round. 

As a bonus, they happen to be one of the easiest vegetables to freeze in addition to being one of the tastiest! Freezing green beans is really just a matter of washing off any dirt and debris, trimming, and then blanching the green beans. 

Frozen green beans can be used in soups, stews, stir-fries, or enjoyed on their own as a side. 

In this post, I’ll walk you through how to freeze green beans, why it’s important to blanch them first, and what to do if you want to freeze green beans without blanching them. 

Why You Should Freeze Green Beans

• Bought too many green beans at the grocery store and don’t want them to spoil? Freezing your own green beans extends their shelf life and minimizes food waste.
• Take advantage of a great deal you got at the farmer’s market? Stashing green beans from your local farmers market in your deep freeze allows you to enjoy local produce all year long.
• Save money by storing frozen fresh green beans purchased at in season pricing for future use.
• Have your own garden? Freezing your green bean harvest lets you cook with peak season beans all year round.

When Is Green Bean Season? 

Green beans have a relatively long growing season. Although they’re considered a summer vegetable, they’re available from May through mid-October in most places. However, June through August is their peak harvest time. 

How to Choose the Best Green Beans for Freezing 

When selecting green beans to freeze, you should look for ones that are bright green in color, firm, and have no visible blemishes. 

If any part of the green bean is damaged or soft, simply snip it off and freeze the rest of the bean. 

Tools Needed for Freezing Green Beans 

You won’t need all of these tools for freezing green beans. You’ll need either freezer vacuum bags, regular freezer bags, or freezer-safe containers. I prefer using freezer vacuum bags since they prevent freezer burn the best, but use what you have on hand.  

• Large pot: You’ll only need a pot if you plan on blanching the green beans before freezing them.
• Paring knife: A smaller knife makes it easier to trim the delicate green beans quickly. 
• Cutting board: Use a cutting board that hasn’t been cross-contaminated with garlic or onion. Those powerful aromatics can infuse your green beans with unwanted flavors! 
• Baking tray: I recommend freezing the green beans in a single layer on a baking sheet prior to sealing it in freezer bags. 
• Parchment paper: Prevents the green beans from sticking to the baking sheet during the initial freezing process. 
• Slotted spoon: Makes removing the green beans from the pot of boiling water easier and safer (only needed if you plan on blanching it). 
• Large mixing bowl: Necessary for making an ice bath, which is part of the blanching process. 
• Colander: You’ll need to drain the blanched green beans after they sit in the ice bath. 
• Vacuum bags: Freezing green beans in vacuum bags keeps it fresher for longer and is the best method for avoiding freezer burn. 
• Zip-top freezer bags: Make sure to suck all the air out of the bag before sealing it. 

What is Blanching?

Blanching is the simple process of cooking raw green beans at a rolling boil for a short time before plunging them in cold water.

Why Do You Blanch Green Beans Before Freezing Them? 

This slows the enzymes in the green beans from breaking them down in the freezer. This extends the shelf life of the frozen beans. 

Other benefits of before freezing green beans:

• stop the cooking process to preserve the bright green color
• protects the original texture of the green beans. 
• prevent loss of flavor

How to Blanch Green Beans for Freezing 

You don’t always have to blanch green beans before freezing them (more on that in a bit!), but I highly recommend doing so to preserve their taste and texture! 

Here’s my go-to method for blanching green beans: 

1. Wash the green beans under running tap water to remove any dirt or debris. 
2. Using a small paring knife, trim the ends off the green beans. 
3. Fill a large pot ⅔ full with water. Heat over high heat until boiling. 
4. While the water comes to a boil, prepare an ice bath. To do this, simply fill a large mixing bowl with tap water and ice cubes. 
5. Once the water comes to a boil, transfer the trimmed green beans to the pot. 
6. Cook for just 3 minutes to blanch. 
7. Remove the green beans from the boiling water using a slotted spoon. Immediately transfer to the ice bath. Let it sit in the ice bath for 3 to 5 minutes. 
8. Drain the green beans (a colander is great for this!). Pat dry using clean kitchen towels or paper towels. 
9. Freeze the green beans as instructed below. 

How Long to Blanch Green Beans for Freezing 

The blanch time for green beans depends on if you freeze them whole or cut into smaller pieces. 

• If freezing whole green beans: 3 minutes 
• If freezing chopped green beans (1-inch pieces): 1 minute

Can You Freeze Green Beans Without Blanching? 

Yes, but texture and taste will be affected. I highly recommend blanching green beans before freezing them for the best results. 

Is It Better to Freeze Blanched or Fresh Green Beans? 

It’s so much better to freeze blanched green beans. Trust me, the color, texture, and flavor will be so much better months from now when you pull the green beans out of the freezer! 

How to Freeze Green Beans (Blanched or Raw) 

The best way to freeze green beans is to blanch them first and then freeze them whole. 

However, I know some people will ask for instructions on how to freeze green beans without blanching them first, so I’ve provided those instructions as well.  

1. Freezing Blanched Green Beans (Recommended) 

1. Wash the green beans under running tap water to remove any dirt or debris. 
2. Using a small paring knife, trim the ends off the green beans. 
3. Blanch the green beans as instructed in the section above. 
4. After the green beans have sat in the ice bath and been thoroughly patted dry, place in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. 
5. Freeze the green beans for 1 hour, or just until hardened. This prevents them from freezing into one big mass in the freezer bag! 
6. Transfer the frozen green beans to a vacuum bag or zip-top freezer bag. 
7. Label, date, and freeze.

2. Freezing Green Beans Without Blanching  

1. Wash the green beans under running tap water to remove any dirt or debris. 
2. Using a small paring knife, trim the ends off the green beans. 
3. Thoroughly pat the green beans dry. 
4. Place them in an even layer on a parchment paper-lined baking tray. 
5. Freeze the green beans for 1 hour, or just until hardened. 
6. Transfer the frozen green beans to a vacuum bag or zip-top freezer bag. 
7. Label, date, and freeze.

Tips for Freezing Green Beans 

• If you have the time, I highly recommend blanching green beans before freezing them. Trust me, their texture and flavor will be so much better this way.  
• Do not salt the blanching water as that could toughen the green beans. You can salt them to taste when you cook with them later on. 
• Vacuum bags are best for preventing freezer burn, but use what you have. If using regular zip-top bags, make sure to remove as much air as possible from them before freezing the beans. 
• Prep the ice bath before you start the blanching process. The green beans only need to blanch for about 3 minutes, and you don’t want to overcook them. 
• Use freshly picked or as near to freshly picked green beans to for best results. 

How Long Do Frozen Green Beans Last? 

If you properly freeze your green beans, they should last about 8 to 12 months. If they develop freezer burn, they’ll be safe to eat but the texture will be affected. 

• Blanched green beans: 10 to 12 months
• Raw (unblanched) green beans: 8 months 

How to Use Frozen Green Beans in Recipes 

Frozen green beans can be thrown straight into soups, stir-fries, stews, and more! You usually don’t need to thaw them first since they’re such a small veggie. 

I don’t recommend using unthawed frozen green beans in green bean casserole or anything where the green beans are the star ingredient. Frozen green beans release more moisture than fresh green beans, so for most casseroles you’ll want to thaw and drain them before beginning the recipe. 

Most recipes will specify whether frozen green beans need to be thawed first! 

How to Thaw Frozen Green Beans 

There are a few ways to thaw frozen green beans: 

• Place the green beans in an airtight container in the fridge overnight.
• Submerge the sealed bag of frozen green beans in warm (not hot!) tap water. Replace the water as needed until the beans have thawed. 
• Place the frozen green beans in a colander and run under warm (not hot) tap water. 

Do You Always Have to Thaw Frozen Green Beans? 

Nope, in fact it’s rare that you need to thaw them! 

You may want to thaw and drain them if they’ll be going into a casserole, but that’s it. Frozen green beans release quite a bit of moisture, which is why adding them straight into a dense dish (like a casserole) isn’t always a good idea. 

Favorite Recipes Using Green Beans

Now that you know how to freeze green beans, it’s time to use them! Here are some of my favorite green bean recipes that can be made with frozen green beans.  

More Summer Freezing Tutorials: 

Freezing tomatoes is the perfect way to preserve them for using in soups and sauces year-round. This post will explain the best way to freeze tomatoes, whether or not they should be blanched before being frozen, and more!  

Freezing basil minimizes food waste and ensures you always have some on hand for soups, stews, sauces, and more! This post explains how to freeze basil 4 ways, plus you’ll get access to 10+ basil recipes.

This guide explains how to freeze blueberries, plus it answers the most commonly asked questions about thawing frozen blueberries and using them in recipes.

Freezing spinach is really simple, and handy if you would like to have extra vegetables stored in your freezer. Come learn all about the 4 different ways I like to freeze spinach and several ideas for what to make with frozen spinach!

Freezing raspberries is a great way to enjoy summer’s harvest year-round! This guide explains how to freeze raspberries, plus it answers the most commonly asked questions about thawing frozen raspberries and using them in recipes.

Who doesn’t love a good kitchen tip? Looking for more kitchen tutorials? Check out the entire Kitchen Tips and Tricks archive for lots of great ideas!

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