How To Store Fresh Green Beans?

I am pretty sure you are aware of the natural phenomena that green beans undergo. Beans after harvesting get spoiled quickly. They don’t last more than a couple of days.

But if you give proper care to storing, you can increase their shelf life. Here’s what you need to know about storing green beans:

Preparing Green Beans to Store

Step 1: Trim the Ends

I’m sure you can locate the knobbly ends of the beans you’ve just purchased or harvested from the field. Begin by removing these lumps.

You can make use of a sharp knife to trim the ends. If you find any other tapered ends, you can also choose to cut them.

Step 2: Leave the Beans Whole

Well, if you are choosing to serve whole beans in your dishes, you do not necessarily need to cut them off.

However, you can still cut the whole beans in half before storing them, if you prefer it that way.

Step 3: Cut the Beans

You can cut your beans before storing them if you plan to add them to your dishes later on. This way, it will be easy for you to directly put them in the dishes right away.

It would be best if you cut all of them around the same size and length of about 1-2 inches pieces.

Refrigerating Green Beans

Step 1: Do Not Wash the Beans

Washing beans before refrigerating is not recommended and you need to avoid this as much as possible.

The presence of water which is in fact moisture may encourage mold formation during refrigerating.

You can simply make use of your hands or clean clothes to wipe off any debris before refrigerating.

Step 2: Put Paper Towel in a Bag

You need to pick a refrigerating bag and place the paper towel inside it. The paper towel is found to help the beans soak up the moisture.

This way, you can prevent the fresh green beans from developing mold while storing them.

Step 3: Place the Green Beans in the Bag

Now you need to put your beans in the refrigerator bag having a proper seal. Make sure the green beans sit flat in the bag.

Remember to make the bag air-free as much as possible before refrigerating.

Step 4: Refrigerate the Beans

Once the beans are placed in the bag having a paper towel, you can seal the bag and keep it in a suitable compartment of your fridge.

Well, you are suggested to refrigerate your beans for about a week.

Step 5: Wash the Beans

Finally, before you use the refrigerated beans in the dishes, make sure to give it a proper rinse.

You can rinse them under a cool running water.

How To Freeze Green Beans?

Step 1: Boil the Beans

While freezing the fresh green beans, you need to first boil them with water. This way, the beans are prevented from the bacteria development.

The precise time for boiling has been considered between 2-4 minutes depending upon the size of your beans.

Step 2: Cool the Beans

Once the beans are boiled, you then need to transfer them to a bowl containing cold water with ice cubes. Remember to cool your beans for the same time as it has been boiled.

Once cooled, you need to wipe the moisture out with a paper towel.

Step 3: Place the Beans in a Bag

Once the beans are dried, you need to place them in a bag having a proper cover or sealing mechanism. Remember to remove all the air from the bag before sealing it.

Step 4: Freeze the Beans

You can now place the bag in the freezer choosing a perfect location. Try to lay the bag in such a way that the beans are resting in a flat position.

You can enjoy the nutritious and flavorful green beans for about 8-10 months if you choose to store them in the freezer.

Canning Green Beans

Canning is another process of increasing the shelf life of your beans. The essential flavor and taste of your beans are secured after canning your beans.

Further, canning has been found to prevent your beans from getting freezer burns.

Equipment Needed:

• Fresh green beans
• Pressure canner
• Canning jars with lids and bands
• Large pot for blanching
• Towels

Instructions:

• You need to prepare the pressure canner as per the specified instructions.
• Then, begin by discarding the damaged and diseased green beans and thoroughly rinse the healthier ones.
• Make a clean cut of the beans into bite-size pieces.
• Place the prepared beans in a bowl or pot where water is boiling and allow the beans to boil for about 2 minutes.
• After that, transfer the hot beans to a container having ice-cooled water immediately.
• Now pick a canning jar and sterilize it by placing it in boiling water.
• Once the jar has been sterilized, you need to keep the blanched beans on it, ensuring about 1 inch of space at the top, and add canning salt to it.
• Further, you need to add boiling water to the jar and make the jar air-free before sealing it tightly.
• Finally, place the jar in a cool and dark place.

How To Store Cooked Green Beans?

Cooked beans can also be stored in the fridge and freezer. If you follow the right measures, you can enjoy the cooked items for an extended period.

Scroll down to learn about this aspect of storing beans.

1. Refrigeration

Cooked beans can be refrigerated. All you need to do is pick an airtight container and place the beans on it before placing them in the fridge.

But you need to make sure the beans are not very hot. Hot beans if placed in the fridge may promote bacterial growth.

It has been found that for the next 3-5 days, you can consume the cooked beans without getting them spoiled.

2. Freezer

Similarly, if you need to store the cooked beans for an extended period, you can choose to freeze them. Freezing is the ideal approach for storing any perishable item for a longer time.

Make sure to choose an airtight container or any sealable bag to place the cooked beans and properly seal the bag before placing it in the freezer.

Further, you need to mark the date or label the bag mentioning the date of placement, this way, you can keep track of the spent time.

How Long Do Fresh Beans Last?

According to a research paper from the University of Florida, Handling, Cooling, and Sanitation Techniques for Maintaining Postharvest Quality suggests that tentatively 7-10 days is the ideal shelf life of the beans after harvesting.

Further, it has been put forward that you must be prepared for the environment having temperatures around 4-6°C if you are to increase the post-harvesting shelf life of the green beans.

Learn more about how to plant, grow, and care for green beans!

Choosing Green Beans to Store

Well, now that you have known to store green beans of all sorts, choosing and selecting the right beans to store is another important aspect you should be aware of.

Make sure to choose the right kind if you are to enjoy the true taste of beans for a longer period. It is important to be aware of all about types of green beans and its characteristics.

1. Season

Green beans are typically found during the summer, from late spring to early fall. During this period, they possess the natural flavor, while also being rather cheap.

2. Appearance

Fresh green beans have a bright green color. If you ever find them having yellow or brown spots, you should know that they are over-ripened.

They should be straight and uniformly shaped. Their skin should be smooth and free from wrinkles or blemishes.

3. Texture 

Fresh raw green beans have a firm and crisp texture. They should snap cleanly when broken in half. They should feel tender and juicy.

Once you snap the beans, you can also check for strings. Fresh green beans often have fewer or no strings.