How To Store Fresh Green Beans

What's not to love about the mighty green bean? With a mild flavor that pairs well with almost any protein, crispy yet tender texture, and wide availability in grocery stores across the country, green beans are a veggie-lover's dream come true. And just in case you need another reason to love them, they are also remarkably easy to prepare. You can cook green beans in the Instant Pot, or you can leave the pressure cooker in the cabinet and steam them in the microwave. You might prefer your beans simply sautéed in a little olive oil and sprinkled with salt, but those with bolder tastebuds will find the web is bursting with delectable green bean recipes (bacon-wrapped green beans, anyone?).

Green beans are also home garden favorites, being easy to grow. Home gardeners may even find themselves overwhelmed with a bountiful bean harvest. So, what to do when you have a surplus of green beans in the kitchen and can't eat them all before they spoil? Never fear! Store fresh green beans by freezing them. Freezing green beans is easy peasy, and the next time you have a hankering for something tasty and green, you'll be glad to have your frozen bean stash on hand.

Boil two quarts of water and a tablespoon of salt. The salt won't impact the taste of the beans, but it will help lock in the color. Wash and trim all the beans while your water comes to a boil. When boiling, add the beans to the water. Let the water get back to a boil and set your timer for two to four minutes. You'll know they're ready when they've reached a crisp but tender texture.

Remove the beans from the boiling water and immediately place them in a bowl of ice water (use lots of ice as it will cool down quickly). This is called blanching, and it helps vegetables retain their color while also preparing them for freezing. It can even help lower the amount of pesticides on veggies. After four(ish) minutes in the ice bath, transfer the beans to a dry towel until they're thoroughly dry. You're almost ready to leave them in the freezer, but one more simple step will ensure these beans are dinner-ready when you need them.

Place all the beans on a baking sheet, spreading them out so none of the beans are touching. Place in the freezer for about an hour, or until they've frozen solid. This will keep the beans from freezing in large, hard-to-break-up clumps. Once  frozen, you can dump them all together in a freezer-safe container and return them to the freezer until you're ready to eat.

For best results and maximum freshness, make sure you're using containers designed specifically for the freezer. Your freezer containers need to be built to withstand freezing temperatures, and they need to have airtight closures. You can find single use freezer-safe baggies at the grocery store, but if you want something that's in it for the long haul, look for sturdy reusable freezer bags that can be washed and used time and time again. Bags are an excellent way to store your green beans because you can stack them and they don't take up a lot of space in the freezer. If you don't want to store your beans in plastic, use glass containers instead (just make sure those lids are airtight). Always label your frozen food with the day it was packed so you know when it expires. Green beans will stay good in the freezer for 6-8 months.

If you plan on eating your green beans while they're fresh, keep them nice and crisp by storing them appropriately in the fridge. Place your unwashed beans in a plastic bag in your fridge's veggie crisper. The plastic bag they came in is just fine. Wash and trim when you're ready to eat. Green beans stored properly in the refrigerator will stay good for about seven days.