Learn how to freeze green beans the easy way. No more boiling them, then cooling them in an ice bath. This method is quick and easy and produces a much better texture.
When it comes to preserving fresh green beans from the garden, freezing them is the easiest route to take. You can also can green beans, while canning is a great way to preserve them, my family and I prefer the texture of frozen green beans to canned green beans.
Freezing green beans is a great way to start preserving your harvest at the beginning of the season when just a few green beans are coming in from the garden. Freezing them is also a quick way to put them up without worrying about them going bad if you do not have time to can them.
When I first started gardening, I researched how to properly freeze green beans and found that you need to blanch the beans before freezing them. Everywhere you look it is recommended to blanch the green beans before freezing them. However, I quickly discovered that my family and I just don’t care for the texture of the beans this way. This was quite frustrating, after going through all the work of growing, harvesting and blanching them, only to discover that we did not like the end results.
So, I decided to try freezing them without blanching them first. Even though every article out there says that you have to blanch them first. What’s the worst that could happen, right? I would just have to throw them away if they didn’t freeze well this way.
Well, the texture is SO much better freezing them without blanching them first. My whole family prefers this method. Needless to say, I have not blanched any of my green beans since, and the whole family absolutely loves them!
How to Freeze Unblanched Green Beans
Start by cutting or snapping the stem end off. Next, you can cut them into smaller pieces or keep them whole. I have tried both ways and they turn out fine either way. Rinse them under cold water. Lay the green beans out on a towel and let them dry completely.
Then place them in a freezer bag and remove as much air as you can, or vacuum seal them. Freeze them until ready to use. Super easy and takes less time than the traditional way! Give it a try and see if you and your family like this method.
How Long Will They Last in the Freezer This Way?
I have kept unblanched green beans in my freezer for almost a year. The texture is still perfect. I would recommend vacuum sealing them if you planned on keeping them longer. Just to be safe.
I do know that blanching is recommended because there is an enzyme that is present in green beans that will start breaking them down if not stopped by the blanching process first. However, I have not had any issues with this.
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