How to Blanch Green Beans

5 from 1 vote

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Learn this quick and easy way to Blanch Green Beans to ensure the best color, texture, and taste of the green bean every time.

green beans in water in pot on cooktop

Blanching green beans is a simple cooking method that creates a crisp and tender green bean. Blanching is often referred to as “blanch and shock” – first you boil water, then add the green beans for a couple of minutes, and finally scoop the green beans to a bowl of ice water to “shock” or stop the cooking process.

It is such a simple method but it makes a huge difference in the overall quality and taste of the green bean. AND blanching is also how you prep green beans that you are going to freeze.

freshly picked green beans in a metal colander

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Enhanced Flavor and Color: Blanching green beans helps to retain their vibrant green color and enhances their natural flavor by removing the bitterness.
  • Perfect Texture: This method ensures that green beans remain crisp-tender, giving them a satisfying bite that’s perfect for salads, side dishes, or snacking. If you’re not a fan of mushy green beans, you’ll definitely love this.
  • Quick and Easy: The blanching process is simple and quick! You can prep the green beans without much time or effort.

Ingredients

  • As many green beans as you want to cook or have to preserve, it can be a large or small amount
  • A pot of water
  • A large bowl of ice water

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities 

snapped green beans in strainer

How to Blanch Green Beans

Step #1. Wash and prep the green beans. Bring a pot of water to a boil.

Step #3. Use a slotted spoon and scoop the bean from the boiling water and place them immediately in the ice bath. Repeat until all the beans have been blanched.

Step #2. Once the water is boiling, add green beans (working in batches, if necessary) and cook for one minute.

Step #4. Put the beans in freezer containers or store in the fridge for use in your favorite recipes.

Recipe FAQs

Do you salt water when blanching vegetables?

I salt the water when blanching green beans because it improves the taste and also helps the green beans maintain their color.

How long do you blanch green beans?

Once the water is boiling you will only blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes depending on their size.

How to look for the best green beans?

When buying green beans you want to find firm, bright green beans that snap. Avoid any limp or discolored beans.

How do I freeze green beans?

Once you have blanched your green beans, arrange the beans on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer. Once they are frozen, you can put the green beans in an airtight bag and enjoy them throughout the year. 

What is the purpose of blanching?

There a several reasons for blanching. When you blanch a vegetable if brightens the color. This is especially good for green vegetables like broccoli or green beans. Blanching removes any bitter taste from vegetables. Blanching also affects the texture. When you blanch green beans you end up with a very crisp and tender bean. The blanch method is a tool used to preserve the nutrients in preparation for freezing vegetables. 

snapped green beans in strainer with un-snapped beans

Expert Tips

  • Choose fresh, firm, and bright green beans for the best results. Avoid beans that are limp or have brown spots.
  • Cut or snap the bean to the size you like or use most – whole or bite size or whatever else you like!
  • Don’t overcrowd the pot! You don’t want to lose the boil so work in small batches. But don’t worry, it doesn’t take long!
top picture is of snapped green beans, bottom picture is of green beans in a plastic bag, with the words "how to blanch green beans" written in the middle

More Vegetable Recipes to Consider

green beans in water in pot on cooktop
5 from 1 vote

How to Blanch Green Beans

Blanching green beans is how you prepare them for going into the freezer! This is a great thing to know and makes preserving a small amount of green beans possible. 
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 minute
Total: 13 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • As many green beans as you have to preserve, it can be a large or small amount
  • A pot of water
  • A large bowl of ice water
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Instructions 

  • Prepare your green beans by washing them, breaking off the stem ends, and snapping them into bite sized pieces. 
  • Bring a pot, half filled with water, to a boil. You can add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the water if you’d like.
  • While the water is boiling, add in some green beans, working in batches if needed, as to not over fill the pot. 
  • Bring the water back to a boil and boil the green beans for 1 minute. 
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the green beans from the boiling water and place them in the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. 
  • Repeat the boiling and ice water bath process as needed to use all of your green beans. 
  • Your green beans are now blanched and you can put them in freezer safe containers and freeze or use them in recipes that call for blanched fresh green beans. 

Notes

  • This recipe is ideal for getting small amount of green beans into the freezer. If my garden hasn’t produced enough to can a bunch, I’ll just put little batches in the freezer as I have extras. It’s so nice to have fresh (frozen) beans in the winter!
  • Before you begin blanching you will want to wash and trim your green beans. I rinse mine in a colander under cold water and then shake to dry. As for trimming, you (or your kids) can snap off the hard ends by hand or you can cut them with a knife. 
  • After you remove the beans from the ice bath, drain them and pat them dry before storing them, especially if you’re storying them in the refrigerator.
  • Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze them if not using them right away.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/2 cup green beans, Calories: 16kcal, Carbohydrates: 3.5g, Protein: 0.9g, Fiber: 0.9g, Sugar: 1.6g
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