Learn how to freeze and can green beans, plus 15 delicious green bean recipes to enjoy all year.
When I grew my very first garden, I made sure to plant some green beans. I actually planted a bunch of other things that didn’t work out for one reason or another, but the green beans were the hardiest of the bunch, so I was super happy to harvest enough to throw into my slow-cooker stew. I only wish I had a surplus of them then.
If you have a lot of green beans, you may want to think about storing them for later use. Green beans freeze and can well. Here are some tips on how to freeze green beans, how to can green beans, and 15 green bean recipes.
How to Freeze Green Beans
Green beans freeze best if they are blanched first. Blanching is a process that makes the flavors pop, but does not fully cook the green beans. You blanch green beans in order to preserve them at their peak.
How to Blanch Green Beans
To blanch green beans, simply place them in a pot of boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then remove them and quickly place them in an ice bath. This step is important so you can immediately stop the cooking process. After you have cooled your green beans, place them on a towel and pat dry.
Then place them in a single layer on a cookie sheet or jelly roll pan lined with wax paper and place them in the freezer. When frozen solid, separate into serving/meal size portions and freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Can Green Beans
Canning green beans is like canning many other kinds of produce. If you don’t want to pickle them, you will just use water and maybe some seasonings to hold them in, but if you want to pickle them, you will need seasonings as well as a pickling liquid like vinegar.
If not pickling, it is best to can green beans in a pressure canner to make sure it gets hot enough to kill bacteria. These directions for canning green beans from Simply Canning are great for first-time canners.
Since it is green bean season right now, if you happen to have a surplus from your own gardening or from getting a great deal at the store, here are some awesome recipes to use them in that aren’t your run of the mill good casseroles.
15 Green Bean Recipes
Let’s be honest, green beans aren’t everyone’s favorite food, but you will win over even the most adamant green bean haters with these Green Beans with Bacon and Mushrooms.
These Green Beans with Garlic are perfect for when you need a quick and easy side that goes well with just about any meal.
Love things that are salty and crispy? You will love these Crispy Green Bean Chips from Whole New Mom for a new favorite snack.
Do something different with your vegetable side dish tonight with this recipe for Sesame Ginger Green Beans from Sweet Anna’s.
Another awesome way to enjoy green beans on the side is to make them like fries! Try these Crispy Baked Green Bean Fries from Dizzy Busy and Hungry!
Green Beans make awesome appetizers and these Green Bean Bundles from Williams-Sonoma are right up my alley since they include bacon!
If you are looking for a low carb side, go for these Roasted Parmesan Garlic Green Beans from Skinny Taste.
For a one-dish meal that is loaded with green beans, try this Roasted Potatoes and Ham Casserole from Premeditated Leftovers.
A great way to preserve green beans is to pickle them and if you are looking for a great recipe to do that, try these Bloody Mary-Critical Dilly Pickled Green Beans from Karen Solomon.
These Roasted Green Beans with Dill Vinegar Sauce from Our Four Forks would taste amazing next to some fish off the grill!
Vegetable Garden Minestrone Soup is a delicious way to use green beans and other garden vegetables.
If you have a potluck of picnic coming up, make this Green Bean Pasta with Tomatoes made cold. This recipe comes from Rachael Ray via Recapo.
PF Chang’s is delicious, but a bit pricey. If you want to try it at home, make sure you make these Copycat PF Chang’s Spicy Green Beans from Domestic Superhero.
If your family enjoys camping, try this Smoked Sausage, Potatoes, and Green Beans Foil Dinner recipe from Marking my Territory on your next trip.
These Pesto Green Beans with Sliced Almonds are a quick and flavorful green bean side, and a great way to use up leftover pesto.
Parmesan Fried Green Beans are a delicious side dish or a fun appetizer!
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