How to Freeze Green Beans

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Preserving garden goodness is a great American tradition you can enjoy when you learn to freeze the prolific, humble, and versatile green bean.

Step 1: Select beans
Select freshly harvested, high quality, crisp green beans.

Tip
Choose green bean varieties recommended for freezing by Extension Office agents or other experts to achieve the best results.

Step 2: Wash and sort
Wash the beans in cold water and sort them according to size and maturity to ensure uniformity in processing.

Step 3: Cut
Cut off the ends and then cut the beans into bite-sized pieces or slice them lengthwise.

Tip
One bushel of fresh green beans produces 30 to 45 pints frozen beans.

Step 4: Blanch beans
Blanch your beans by placing 4 cups of beans into a steamer basket and setting the basket in a covered kettle of boiling water for 3 minutes.

Step 5: Cool
Cool the beans under cold running water and thoroughly drain them.

Step 6: Pack
Pack the cooled beans in meal-sized amounts in freezer containers or freezer bags, leaving ½-inch headspace in containers and expelling excess air from bags.

Step 7: Label and freeze
Label your containers or bags with the date, and then place them in a freezer for up to 12 months to celebrate and enjoy the harvest all year long.

Did You Know?
The common green bean is known by several names, including string, bush, snap, and runner bean.