Crisp and verdant, green beans are an easy and quick side dish, but to make the most of them when they’re in season, it’s worth knowing how to freeze them…
When are green beans in season?
In the UK, green beans (or sometimes referred to as French beans) make their timely appearance in the balmy Summer months, through to September. Eating them in season means you get pleasingly fresher beans that have only travelled a short distance, which is better for the environment, too.
What is the best way to freeze fresh green beans?
If you’ve found yourself with a bountiful glut of green beans, you might want (or need!) to preserve some of them before they start to turn. The best way to do this is to freeze them, and the best way to freeze them: to blanch them first. This ensures that they are as close to fresh as possible, and you can defrost them without fear of them getting mushy. They will also keep in the freezer for a significantly longer time (see below).
To blanch green beans, find the freshest ones possible (there’s little point in freezing ones that are spoilt or past their best) and trim off the tough stalks (the fine, thread-like ends don’t need lopping off). You can either chop them or leave them long. Get a pan of salted water boiling, a bowl full of ice water and a parchment-lined tray at the ready. Boil the beans for 2-3min, lift out, plunge them into the ice water to cool, then drain and arrange in a single layer on the tray. Freeze until solid, then bag up and store in the freezer.
Can you freeze raw green beans without blanching them first?
If you’re short on time, you can freeze fresh green beans without them needing to be pre-cooked, but It’s imperative that you cook with them frozen - don’t defrost them, as they will turn mushy (the water inside the beans freezes, breaking the cell walls down, softening their structure). Wash and trim the ends off the beans, chop into smaller pieces if you prefer, then spread on a tray lined with parchment until frozen solid. Bag up the beans and freeze.
Can you freeze fresh green beans without washing them first?
We definitely don’t recommend ever freezing unwashed beans as once defrosted, any dirt on them will turn to mud and will be really hard to clean off, plus it means you can’t cook with them straight from the freezer. If you’re going to the trouble of freezing something, It’s always worth putting in the extra five minutes preparing them properly, so that they’re completely ready to go after you take them out of the freezer.
How do you defrost green beans?
You can either cook with blanched beans straight from the freezer or defrost them first before cooking until tender. To defrost the beans, leave in the fridge for 3-4 hours or overnight until completely defrosted.
To cook with both frozen and defrosted beans, add straight to boiling water/hot stews, stir-fries or soups from the freezer, then cook until tender.
How long can you store frozen green beans for?
If you’ve blanched the green beans, you can keep them in the freezer for up to 12 months without their quality diminishing, however if you’re frozen them raw, they’ll be at their best for up to 3 months.
