How to Freeze Broad Beans

Preparing the Beans

De-pod your broad beans. Snap the end of the bean pod and pull down to remove the thick seam that runs down the side of the bean. Press your finger along the inside of the pod to easily release the beans. Healthy broad beans will range in color from light to dark green when they are fully mature with pods from two to twelve inches long. You can purchase broad bean pods or grow your own.

Collect your broad beans in a large bowl. Use your senses to pick out any outlying beans that look, smell, or feel strange compared to the rest. Brown spots, withered pods, or unhealthy looking beans probably won't hurt you, but it is important to use your best judgement and place these beans to the side to throw away. You only want the freshest beans for your future culinary creations!

Clean the remaining beans. Run the beans under cold water and lightly massage them to remove the outer skins, dirt and debris, and any remaining pieces of the pod. Rinsing the beans will help clean the outside of the beans while blanching them will clean the inside of the beans and help preserve the good stuff - vitamins and flavor!

Blanching the Beans

Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Wait until the pot is bubbling before adding your beans. The water should just cover the beans you have added to the pot.

Blanch your beans for 3-4 minutes on high heat. Blanching will help the beans retain their structure and freshness once you freeze them, but you don't need to cook them through. Blanching helps to kill bacteria inside of the beans and stop the growth of enzymes so that the beans taste better and retain all of their important vitamins. Although you don't need to blanch your beans before freezing them, if you do choose to blanch them they will last a lot longer in your freezer! Blanched beans will look vibrant and feel slightly soft while still maintaining a crunch when eaten.

Drain your beans directly after blanching. Pour the beans into a colander, then shake gently from side to side to remove excess moisture.

Pour your beans into a bowl of ice water. Fill the bowl you originally used to collect your beans with cold water and a couple ice cubes if you want to speed up the process. Let them cool down for about 10 minutes.

Drain your beans back into the colander once they're chilled. Repeat these steps for each batch of beans.

Freezing the Beans

Dry your beans. Lay them in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel and lay a second towel over the beans and lightly press down. It is important to soak up any retained water so fewer ice crystals form on the beans once they are frozen. Don't worry about completely drying out your beans sine they will be preserved in the freezer.

Place your beans in freezer bags. Gently press the air out of the end before you seal them up. Writing the date on each bag will help you keep your frozen goods organized and remind you when to use them.

Enjoy your frozen beans throughout the year. Blanching your beans will help them last up to 8 months in the freezer. Now you have fresh beans for salads, soups, and other exciting recipes!