Green Beans

[ninnymary]

Is there a trick to freezing green beans? I blanched them and put them in freezer bags one time and they didn't taste very good.

Can I just rinse them and put them in freezer bags without doing anything to them?

We are getting tired of eating them and would like to save some for winter. I don't want to can them. I want them to taste as fresh as possible.

Mary

 

[Carol Dee]

I willbe watching for answers, too. Our beans are a bit rubbery from the freezer. And mushy when canned.

 

[catjac1975]

The trick to freezing green beans is to choose the right variety to plant. Many catalogs list the varieties best suited to freezing, canning and fresh eating. Burpee is a good one for that as well as many others.

 

[ninnymary]

cat, they are kentucky wonder pole beans and the package says they are "excellent for freezing".

Mary

 

[catjac1975]

I have always frozen my beans I love them my husband does not. I have found that young beans keep their crispness, where more fully grown beans get limp. I blanch them for 4 minutes, chill them in ice water spin dry them and freeze them immediately in zip lock bags that I squeeze most of the air out of.

 

[ninnymary]

cat, is the blanching really necessary? What does it do to them? What happens if I don't blanch?

Mary

 

[catjac1975]

Absolutely necessary. Beans will be burned if frozen with out blanching. Stick a few in the freezer over night and take a look.

cat, is the blanching really necessary? What does it do to them? What happens if I don't blanch?

Mary

 

[seedcrazy]

I grew tendergreen this year and I think they would be perfect for freezing (bush bean) and canning actually.

 

[journey11]

I do all that as above and also freeze mine in Foodsaver vacuum-seal bags. I've had no trouble with freshness or freezer burn.

ETA: Although really now that I am proficient with my pressure canner, I do prefer my beans canned.

 

[lesa]

Journey, I didn't like my canned beans - they seemed really overcooked. Did yours retain any crispiness? I grew the tendergreens this year. I tried freezing a few. I blanched for 3 minutes and got them really cold- then dried and froze them. They look nice and green. We will see... My second planting is almost ready, I will have to decide if I freeze or can.