This post explains how to freeze green beans without blanching them first. The process I use is very easy, especially if you have a vacuum sealer. No vacuum sealer? No problem! There’s an alternative method for sucking the air out of the bags with a straw.
Jamie tries to plant green beans twice each summer so there are plenty of fresh beans to enjoy in-season, plus enough to put up for the off-season. I can several jars of pickled beans with fresh dill each year. I also freeze several 1-pound packages to be enjoyed long after the gardens are put to rest.
This year’s first planting is a 20-foot row and it’s producing quite heavily right now. Jamie picked about two pounds last week and over two four pounds this week! We used a bunch to make my Dairy-Free Green Bean Casserole recipe (we all love it so much we prepared it twice in two weeks) and we’ve been adding them to other dishes as well.
As you probably gathered from the title of this post, I don’t bother blanching the beans before freezing. You may be wondering why I skip this step. The truth is, I’ve blanched beans before freezing them in the past – and I didn’t find that this extra step resulted in a better product. Just so you know, the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) has a different opinion, and their official stance is quoted below.
Rest assured that I’m not the only one that chooses to skip the blanching process. A quick google search will turn up several other posts on “how to freeze green beans without blanching” written by others that feel the same. Freezing without blanching poses no health risk so I feel comfortable going against the NCHFP’s suggestion in this regard.
I would never cut corners when canning though. I always follow lab tested and approved recipes, and would never take the risk of contaminating my canned goods in any way.
Sure! To save time and a few steps, you can freeze green beans without blanching them first. Simply wash, dry, trim, and pack the green beans into freezer containers, leaving as little air in the container as possible (explained in more detail below). It is perfectly safe to freeze green beans without blanching.
How to Freeze Green Beans without Blanching
- Snap, snip, or cut off the ends
- Cut or snap the green beans in halves or thirds if you desire (I usually leave them whole)
- Wash then drain in a colander; lay them out on towels to dry
- Portion and bag the green beans; remove the air and seal
- Label and date the bags, then freeze
What about the strings on string beans?
We never grow string beans. Who does that anymore? There are plenty of green bean varieties to choose from that don’t have tough strings to remove. If you do happen to have string beans – snap the blossom end and pull off the string in one motion, then trim off the other end.
- I prefer to snip the ends off over the sink
- It only takes about 20 minutes for the beans to dry
Once the beans are ready, rinse them well and drain in a colander. Next lay them out on towels to dry. You don’t want to freeze wet beans because they’ll develop unwanted ice crystals.
A kitchen scale comes in handy for weighing the beans so you know how much you’re putting into each package. If you don’t have a scale, just eyeball it.
- Two pounds of beans weighed and portioned
- Vacuum sealed in flat packages, labeled and ready for the freezer
Freezing Green Beans Without Blanching Them First! – Garden Harvest Preservation
FAQ
What happens if you don’t blanch beans before freezing?
What happens if you don’t blanch before freezing?
Can you freeze raw beans?
Do you have to blanch green or yellow beans before freezing?
Can you freeze green beans without blanching?
Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze fresh green beans without blanching. These green beans will last up to a year. You can use them in casseroles, soups, stir fry and more! Take a step back and admire your green beans because god damn, you’re amazing, you just grew green beans! Trim the ends off both sides of green beans.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
Can you freeze black beans?
Wash and drain the beans thoroughly. Snap or chop off the stems. Break the beans into tiny pieces if you like. Spread the beans on a baking sheet and freeze them for about an hour. Remove the beans from the sheet and place them in a freezer bag. Label the bag with the date and place it in your freezer.
Do you wash beans before freezing?
I do recommend washing your beans before freezing. Even if you garden organically, contaminants drift in on the wind. After washing or blanching, make sure to dry your beans well. Excess water means more ice crystals in your beans. I spread my beans on a kitchen towel and pat dry, or use the salad spinner.