Don’t immediately need those fresh green beans you picked up from the farmer’s market? Here are a few storage methods for when it’s time to start preserving those crisp beans for the winter.
You’ll typically find them in restaurants served alongside chicken or steak. Green beans are available all year round, though you can find them fresh at most local farmers’ markets from around May to October.
How to Freeze and Store Fresh Green Beans
There are a few different ways on how you can freeze and store fresh green beans from the farmer’s market. We’re breaking it down below on how to freeze and store green beans to keep them fresh and ready to use throughout the year.
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Step Blanch green beans before eating:
Blanching green beans helps to preserve their freshness for longer before freezing or storing in the fridge. To do so: Boil one gallon of water per pound of green beans. At the same time, fill a bowl with ice water. Add your fresh green beans to the boiling water. Smaller green beans usually need around two minutes, while larger green beans could use three to four. Once they’ve boiled, plunge the green beans into the ice bath to cool completely, and then drain.
Pack all of your blanched green beans into a Glad® Freezer Zipper Quart Bag. Depending on size, you can use a quart or gallon plastic zip bag. Make sure to shape each bag to compact the green beans and press out as much air as you can before storing the green beans in the fridge. Freezing green beans is easiest done by using freezer zip plastic bags to securely seal and help keep your green beans fresh.
Freeze Green Beans | Year Round Garden Fresh Green Beans | Freezing with Wisdom Preserved
FAQ
Can you buy fresh green beans in winter?
How far ahead can you buy fresh green beans?
How long do store bought fresh green beans last?
How to buy fresh green beans?
When are green beans available?
Green beans are available year round, with a peak season of May to October. Green beans are also called string beans and snap beans. Green beans were once called string beans.
Are beans gluten free?
Beans should be gluten free, since they do not contain any wheat gluten. However, it is important to read labels, especially for canned beans because there might be additives that add gluten. Some of the additives to look out for are wheat starch, wheat flour, or any other wheat additives that could contain gluten. Your best bet is to look for canned beans labelled gluten free. Dry beans can also become contaminated with gluten if there is any cross-contamination with wheat during processing. The best bet is to wash beans before use, this should get rid of any potential gluten on dry beans.
How long do green beans last?
Fresh green beans can be purchased year round, but they’re at their peak from May to October. Look for smooth, bright green, firm-textured beans that snap readily when bent; they should be flexible but not limp or tough. Once purchased, store them in the fridge, where they will last roughly a week. Do you cut the ends of green beans before cooking?
Should green beans be green?
As its name suggests, a green bean should be green! If you find that the beans at your grocery store or farmers market have a yellowish (or brownish) hue, that’s a sign that something is wrong. Instead, look for fresh beans that are brightly colored and stand out when it comes to their vibrancy. Can’t wait to cook them?