How to Freeze Green Beans

Freezing Green Beans

Pick green beans from the garden or buy them from the market. Only use beans that are blemish free. Look for green beans that have no small beans inside them. While the small beans don't hurt the taste or quality of the beans, they signify that the green bean is past its prime.Freeze Green Beans Step 1Bullet1.jpg Use the freshest beans possible. Freeze them the day you pick them from your garden or as soon as possible after you purchase them. If you must wait to freeze green beans, store them in the refrigerator in the meantime.Freeze Green Beans Step 1Bullet2.jpg

Wash the beans thoroughly. Place the beans in a colander or clean prep sink and rinse them with cool water.

Trim the beans. Use a paring knife to snip the ends off the beans. If the green beans have any bug spots or bruises, you can cut them out with the paring knife.Freeze Green Beans Step 3Bullet1.jpg Cut the beans to the length that you prefer. You can leave them whole, or you can cut the beans into pieces about one-inch long. A bean Frencher is a device that allows you to cut the beans into long, thin strips.Freeze Green Beans Step 3Bullet2.jpg

Prepare the cookware. Put a large pot of water on to boil. Leave room in the pot for the beans. Covering the pot with a lid makes the water boil faster and conserves energy.Freeze Green Beans Step 4Bullet1.jpg Fill a second large pan or bowl with ice cubes and water.Freeze Green Beans Step 4Bullet2.jpg

Blanch the beans in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes. This process removes enzymes that break down the quality of the beans.Freeze Green Beans Step 5Bullet1.jpg Be sure not to let the beans boil for too long, or they will overcook.Freeze Green Beans Step 5Bullet2.jpg

Transfer the green beans to the cold water. Use a slotted spoon to move the beans from one pot to the other.Freeze Green Beans Step 6Bullet1.jpg Add more ice to the beans, if necessary.Freeze Green Beans Step 6Bullet2.jpg Chill the beans at least three minutes.Freeze Green Beans Step 6Bullet3.jpg

Drain the beans. It's important to get as much moisture as possible off the beans. Otherwise, they may have ice crystals form on them in the freezer, which can cause the flavor to deteriorate.Freeze Green Beans Step 7Bullet1.jpg Use a paper or dish towel to remove extra moisture from the beans.Freeze Green Beans Step 7Bullet2.jpg

Pack the green beans. Use freezer bags that zip or bags that seal with a vacuum sealer.Freeze Green Beans Step 8Bullet1.jpg Put enough beans in each bag to make a meal for your family. This way you'll be able to defrost exactly as many as you need instead of the entire batch of beans. A rough measurement is one handful of beans per serving.Freeze Green Beans Step 8Bullet2.jpg Close the zippered bag almost all the way. Insert a straw into the opening. Draw out the remaining air through the straw. Withdraw the straw as you finish sealing the bag.Freeze Green Beans Step 8Bullet3.jpg Label the bags with the date you froze them.Freeze Green Beans Step 8Bullet4.jpg

Freeze the green beans. Rearrange the beans in the bags so the bags are lying as flat as possible. This allows the beans to freeze quickly and preserves the fresh taste. Frozen beans will keep for nine months in a conventional freezer, and longer in a deep freeze appliance.

Roasting Frozen Green Beans

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (218 degrees C).

Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and spread them in an even layer over a baking sheet. Some of the beans may be frozen together in clumps; separate them as much as you can using your fingers and a fork.

Drizzle the green beans with oil. Olive oil, sesame oil, peanut oil and grapeseed oil are all good choices.

Season the beans with salt and pepper. Sprinkle lightly with other seasonings if you wish, like cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, or any other spices that you like with vegetables. Toss the green beans to make sure they are thoroughly coated.

Place the green beans in the oven. Cook them for ten minutes, then remove them from the oven and use a spatula to stir them around. Place them back in the oven and cook until parts of them look brown and crispy, about five more minutes.

Remove the green beans from the oven. Add additional seasonings or grated cheese if desired. Serve hot.

Sauteing Frozen Green Beans

Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and place them in a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to separate beans that have clumped together.

Drizzle some oil in a saucepan and place it over medium high heat. Allow the oil to heat up.

Place the green beans in the saucepan. Stir them around using a wooden spoon until they are evenly coated in oil. They will start to thaw and release water. Cook the green beans until the water has evaporated.

Season the green beans with salt and pepper. Add other seasonings like garlic, fresh ginger, lemon zest and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

Sauté the green beans until they are lightly browned and crispy. Remove them from heat before they get limp.

Place the beans in a bowl. Serve hot as a side dish, or place over spinach and other salad greens for a great textural contrast.

Frying Frozen Green Beans

Remove green beans from the freezer. Take them out of the freezer bag and place them in a strainer over a bowl. Allow them to thaw completely.

Pat the green beans dry with a paper towel. Excess moisture will cause the beans to come out soggy.

In a small bowl, mix a cup of beer, a cup of flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Use a whisk to stir the mixture until it is smooth.

Pour a few inches of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Allow the oil to heat until it is ready to fry. Test whether it's ready by inserting the handle of a wooden spoon. When bubbles start to form around the spoon, the oil is ready. Don't use olive oil to fry, since it breaks down when heated to high temperatures. Peanut oil, vegetable oil or canola oil is a better choice.

Place the batter in a large food storage bag. Put the beans inside the bag. Close it and shake well.

Use a pair of tongs to transfer the battered green beans to the hot oil. Continue transferring beans until you have an even layer of beans. Don't overcrowd the skillet, or the beans will turn out soggy.Freeze Green Beans Step 27Bullet1.jpg Avoid overlapping the beans.Freeze Green Beans Step 27Bullet2.jpg

Cook the beans until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate made with paper towels to drain. Sprinkle them with salt and pepper, and serve hot.