A quick and easy tutorial on how to blanch green beans. Blanching green beans is an excellent way to extend the shelf life of your beans, and for freezing seasonal garden harvests. Blanched green beans can be used in any recipe that uses fresh or frozen green beans.
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A quick cook of the beans and plunge into a bowl of ice water and you are done. Not only does blanching beans preserve their bright green color and crispness, but it is also a fast and easy way to prepare green beans with simple seasonings. My sauteed garlic green beans are the perfect use!
It is also a critical step if you want to preserve or freeze green beans or extend their shelf life when meal-prepping. Beans can be reheated or served cold in salads or for snacking.
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🧾 Tips for Buying Green Beans
- You can blanch any variety of green beans, haricot vert, or string beans. Whether homegrown, from the grocery or your local farmer's market.
- Regardless of the variety of beans, look for vivid color. Most are green but some varieties will be purple or yellow.
- They should have a snap when broken. Avoid beans that are limp, slimy, or are covered in brown spots. A few blemishes are normal during the growing process but beware of heavily speckled soft green beans.
⏲️ How to Blanch Green Beans
- Prep and Trim: Thoroughly wash the green beans by submerging them in a bowl of cold water or rinsing them in a colander. Trim the stems with a knife. Trimming the tail is optional but I prefer to trim it so both ends look the same.
- Rolling Boil: Use a large stockpot and add the kosher salt and fill it ¾ of the way full. Place over high heat and bring it to a rolling boil. Add the green beans and continue to boil. The green beans will cook for two to three minutes. They are done when they turn bright green and are just slightly tender.
- Ice Bath: While the water is coming to a boil prepare your ice bath. Add 4 cups of ice to a mixing bowl and fill ¾ full with cold water. Use tongs or a mesh sieve to move the beans from the boiling water to the ice bath. This is called "shocking" them and will immediately stop the cooking process.
- Shock: Use tongs or a mesh sieve to move the beans from the boiling water to the ice bath. This is called "shocking" them and will immediately stop the cooking process.
🥗How to Use Blanched Green Beans
To serve blanched green beans immediately as a salad or cold side, drizzle with olive oil and toss with the zest and juice of one lemon. Salt and pepper to taste.
My go-to green bean recipe is sauteed curried green beans. Blanching the beans during my Sunday meal prep makes for quick prep. You can add them to pasta salad, chop them in a green salad, or freeze them for use in your favorite green bean casserole or for making roasted green beans.
I think the most underrated way to use green beans is for snacking. I love them slathered in onion dip or in salty olive hummus!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
Allow the water to boil for several minutes (aka a rolling boil) before adding your green beans. This will prevent the water from cooling too much when you add the green beans.
🌡️ How to Freeze Green Beans
There are two ways to store frozen green beans.
- If you know you will use the whole bag at once simply place the drained and dried blanched beans in a freezer bag. Seal and store for up to 8 months.
- If you plan on using them a few handfuls at a time I recommend pre-freezing on a baking sheet before adding to your freezer bag to prevent the green beans from sticking together. Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread out the green beans in a single layer. Freeze for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag.
Green Bean Recipes
💬Frequently Asked Questions
What is blanching?
Blanching is the process of boiliBlanching is the process of boiling the vegetables until they are just cooked before plunging them into an ice bath. This partially cooks the veggies while brightening their color and preserving the texture.
Is it better to blanch or steam green beans?
For meal prep, preserving, or freezing it is better to blanch green beans. Steaming is fine for a quick dinner preparation but blanching will yield a better texture and color.
How long do you blanch green beans?
Green beans should be boiled for 2 to 3 minutes and in the ice bath for 15 to 30 seconds before they are drained.
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How to Blanch Green Beans (with Freezing Instructions)
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans trimmed
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
Optional Seasonings
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ lemon juice and zest
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Add salt and 4 quarts of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, add ice and water to a large mixing bowl.1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- Drop the green beans into the boiling water and cook for 2 to 3 minute until they are tender but still crisp.1 pound green beans
- Immediately remove the beans and plunge into the ice water long enough to cool completely, 15 to 30 seconds.
- Drain the green beans in a colander. Use in any recipe that calls for blanched green beans.
Optional Serving Suggestion
- To serve a green bean salad, toss the blanched green beans with the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, ½ lemon, Kosher salt, Black pepper
How to Freeze Green Bans
- Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread out the green beans in a single layer. Freeze for 1 hour before transferring to a freezer bag.
Notes
- Store the blanched beans in a tightly sealed container for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
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