How To Blanch Green Beans

Learn how to blanch green beans the easy way! This kitchen trick locks in color, flavor, and textureโ€”perfect for freezing, salads, and make-ahead meals.

Learn how to blanch green beans the easy way! This quick kitchen trick locks in color, flavor, and textureโ€”perfect for freezing, salads, and make-ahead meals.

A close-up of fresh, cooked green beans being served with gold utensils from a white bowl, with a white and black striped cloth in the background.
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Thereโ€™s something about crisp-tender green beans that just feels fresh and wholesomeโ€”especially when they still have that beautiful bright green color. Over the years, Iโ€™ve learned that blanching is the key to keeping that just-picked taste and texture. Whether Iโ€™m making a Southern-style salad, prepping ahead for a holiday meal, or freezing extra beans from the farmersโ€™ market, this simple technique always comes in handy.

Did You Know?

Blanching helps preserve nutrients and flavor. It might sound like a fancy word, but blanching is just a smart, simple way to keep green beans tasting fresh. Itโ€™s one of those little tricks I always use when cooking ahead or freezing summer produce to enjoy later on.

What Youโ€™ll Need

A white ceramic basket filled with fresh green beans sits on a wooden surface next to a white cloth with black stripes.
  • Fresh green beans (trimmed) or haricot verts
  • Kosher salt
  • Large pot of boiling water
  • Bowl of ice water
  • Slotted spoon, colander or tongs
  • Kitchen towel or paper towels for drying

How To Blanch Green Beans

A pot filled with fresh green beans being boiled in water on a stovetop, with a wooden spoon stirring the beans.
  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. I like to add a generous pinch of saltโ€”just like I do when cooking pasta.
  • Add the green beans. Drop them in the blanching water and boil for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on their thickness. They should turn a bold, bright green and be just tender but still have some snap.
A glass bowl filled with fresh green beans and ice cubes sits on a wooden surface, with a white cloth featuring black stripes in the background.
  • Move them to ice water. Immediately transfer the beans to a large bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking. This step prevents them from going limp or dull, resulting in crisp-tender green beans.
  • Drain and dry. After a few minutes in the ice bath, drain the beans and pat them dry. From here, you can use them in your favorite recipes, store them in the fridge, or freeze them.

How To Store Blanched Green Beans

Once the green beans have been blanched, cooled, and dried, they can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Make sure theyโ€™re completely dry before storing to help maintain their crisp texture.

Tips For Freezing Green Beans

Freezing green beans is a great way to enjoy that fresh flavor year-round, but there are a few tips that make all the difference. Always blanch green beans before freezing. After blanching and cooling, be sure to dry them completely to prevent ice crystals from forming. Next, lay the green beans out in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring them to freezer bags or containers. Label and date your bagsโ€”frozen green beans are best used within 8 to 10 months.

A white dish filled with fresh, cooked green beans sits on a woven placemat, with a striped kitchen towel partially visible in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to salt the water when blanching?

Yes! Just like when you cook pasta, salting the water helps season the green beans as they cook and keeps their color vibrant. Plus, the salted water adds flavor.

Can I blanch green beans ahead of time?

Absolutely – I do this almost every week! You can blanch green beans the day before and store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Just be sure theyโ€™re fully dry before storing to avoid sogginess.

Should I blanch green beans before freezing them?

Yes, blanching before freezing is key to preserving the color, flavor, and texture of beans. Skip this step, and your beans could turn soft and dull after thawing.

Can I use this same method for other vegetables?

You sure can! This method works for broccoli, asparagus, carrots, and even corn. Just adjust the blanching time depending on the veggie.

How I Use Blanched Green Beans

Once theyโ€™re blanched and ready, I love tossing them into a simple salad, adding them to a holiday veggie tray, or sautรฉing them in a skillet with olive oil and garlic for a fast side dish. They’re also great in casseroles or frozen for future meals when I want that fresh taste in a flash.

Green Bean Recipes You’ll Love

Southern style green beans and perfectly cooked chopped up bacon all sitting inside of a square serving dish sitting on a blue and white kitchen towel.

Southern Style Green Beans

Tender, flavorful, and steeped in tradition, Southern Style Green Beans are a down-home delight that's easy to make! Fresh green beans cooked with bacon and just the right amount of seasoning is the perfect side dish for any meal.

Skillet Green Beans made with garlic, lemon and red pepper is the ideal side dish for any meal! Simple and ready in 15 minutes!

Skillet Green Beans

Fresh, crisp Skillet Green Beans made in just 15 minutes is one of life's simple pleasures! Made in just one pan and infused with garlic and lemon with just the right amount of red pepper, these green beans are sure to be at the top of your side dish list in no time.

Southern Green Beans and Potatoes

My classic Southern Green Beans and Potatoes recipe is all about cozy, down-home goodness. Itโ€™s got fresh string beans, tender red potatoes, and just the right touch of savory bacon, all cooked in butter and a rich broth. This comfort food side dish is a canโ€™t-miss favorite at any holiday or Sunday supper table.

Crock Pot Maple Bacon Green Beans

Green beans are a classic side dish now made even easier thanks to the Crock Pot. Tender green beans, with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup, and a bit of smokiness from bacon, are so good that this recipe is sure to become a favorite for years to come.

Air Fryer Green Beans (Quick And Easy)

Learn the secret to making the best Air Fryer Green Beans. This quick and easy recipe using fresh green beans is easy to master and is the perfect way to add a delicious side dish to any meal.


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How To Blanch Green Beans

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Cooling Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 35kcal
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In this post, Iโ€™ll walk you through exactly how to blanch green beans at home, step-by-step. Iโ€™m also sharing tips for freezing, storing, and using blanched beans in your everyday cooking. Trust meโ€”once you try it, youโ€™ll be hooked.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound green beans – washed and trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher salt

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil, using about 1 tablespoon of salt per 4 quarts of water.
  • Add the green beans and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on their thickness, until they are bright green and just tender.
  • Immediately transfer the green beans to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Let the beans sit in the ice water for a few minutes, then drain and pat dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
  • Use immediately in recipes, refrigerate for later, or freeze for long-term storage.

Notes

To Store:
Store blanched, cooled, and dried green beans in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3โ€“4 days. Make sure they are completely dry to keep their crisp texture.
How To Freeze:
To freeze, blanch and cool green beans, then dry completely. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to labeled freezer bags or containers. Use within 8โ€“10 months for best quality.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1 ยท Calories: 35kcal ยท Carbohydrates: 8g ยท Protein: 2g ยท Fat: 0.3g ยท Saturated Fat: 0.1g ยท Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g ยท Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g ยท Sodium: 1751mg ยท Potassium: 240mg ยท Fiber: 3g ยท Sugar: 4g ยท Vitamin A: 782IU ยท Vitamin C: 14mg ยท Calcium: 43mg ยท Iron: 1mg

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