How to freeze green beans - Freezing Hacks

Green beans is a delicious vegetable used in a variety of recipes including soups, curries, casseroles, and enjoyed by roasting them as well. If you have a bounty in your garden or you buy them in bulk at a discount, it is a great idea to freeze them so that you can enjoy them for months.

I like to buy green beans and freeze them for later use. I freeze them without blanching and it makes the entire process easy. It is very convenient when you have to freeze a large batch, it reduces overall time and effort.

Preparation

Choose: Choose firm and fresh green beans. The ones which feel too soft and wrinkled are not good choices.
Rinse and dry: Rinse the green beans gently under tap water to get rid of any dirt. Pat them dry thoroughly by wiping with a clean kitchen towel. You don't want to have moisture on the beans while freezing them.
Cut: Trim the stem ends with the help of a knife. Leave them whole or cut them into size of about an inch, depending on how you plan to use them.

Freezing green beans

Portion: Measure or weigh the green beans in portions of 12 oz., 16 oz., and 20 oz. as these sizes are available in store bought frozen green bean bags and recipes would call for that quantity. You can also freeze in bulk and then measure it while using it.
Package: Use freezer safe containers or ziplock bags and remove as much air as possible.
Label: Mark the container or ziplock bags with the date, quantity, and "green beans" as well as shape like "whole" or "cut".

Storage options

Freezer bags like ziplock bags work great. Also vaccuum seal bags are a good choice.
Airtight containers like Rubbermaid, Tupperware, and Snapware are perfect for larger batches.
Silicone containers or glass containers like Pyrex are great reusable options if you want more eco friendly choices.

How to use frozen green beans

Frozen green beans can be used as is without defrosting. You can use it as is in soups, stews, or roast it in the oven or an air fryer. You can also make casseroles with green beans or other mixed vegetables. It can also be steamed and served with some butter and seasoning as a side dish.

If your recipe calls for defrosting frozen green beans then you can leave it at room temperature for 1-2 hours or in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours or overnight. Place it in a strainer so that you can get rid of excess moisture.