Can You Freeze Runner Beans Without Blanching Them First?

Welcome to Top of the Crops! Today we’ll talk about how to keep runner beans fresh in a polytunnel. For more gardening insights, be sure to check out our blog Polytunnel Gardening too!.

People who grow their own food at home don’t want to waste any of it, so they want to know how to preserve runner beans.

Runner beans can be a fantastic polytunnel crop. They will grow up, which will help you make the most of the space, and they will also give you a lot of food. Runner beans can sometimes give you such a large harvest that it’s hard to decide what to do with all the food you’ve grown.

Even though fresh green runner beans won’t last long in the fridge, there are a few things you can do to make sure you can still use them later.

The most common way to preserve runner beans is to freeze them. But you might also consider older preservation techniques such as.

Runner beans are a delicious staple in many summer gardens. Their sweet flavor and crisp texture make them an excellent addition to meals when eaten fresh. However most gardeners end up with more beans than they can eat right away. Freezing is a great option for preserving the surplus. But can you skip the blanching step and freeze runner beans without any preparation?

What Does Blanching Do?

Blanching is a common pre-freeze process for many vegetables It involves briefly immersing the veggies in boiling water or steam to partially cook them Blanching serves a few key purposes

It stops the enzyme action that can lead to loss of flavor, color and texture.
It helps destroy any bacteria or microorganisms that may be present.
It relaxes the structure of the vegetable cells so they don’t burst during freezing.

So in essence, blanching helps lock in the optimal quality of the vegetables before they enter long-term frozen storage.

Is Blanching Absolutely Necessary?

While blanching is highly recommended for most vegetables, it isn’t strictly required. Produce can technically be frozen without any pre-treatment.

However, skipping blanching can lead to some drawbacks:

Degradation of flavor, color, and texture over time.
Potential presence of microorganisms that cause spoilage.
Greater risk of freezer burn which dries out the vegetables.

So while you can freeze runner beans without blanching, it comes with some risks of sacrificing quality.

How Long Do Unblanched Beans Last In the Freezer?

Freezing extends the shelf life of vegetables by slowing their enzyme activity and putrefaction. However, no pre-treatment means those natural processes aren’t halted.

Here’s how long properly blanched vs unblanched beans typically last frozen:

Blanched: 12-24 months frozen
Unblanched: 2-3 months maximum frozen

So blanching leads to a greatly extended frozen storage life. Unblanched beans start to deteriorate in flavor, texture, and appearance after just a couple months.

Tips for Freezing Runner Beans Without Blanching

If you wish to skip blanching, there are some steps you can take to help maximize the shelf life:

Pick young, tender beans – older beans deteriorate faster.
Wash and dry beans very thoroughly before freezing.
Cut beans into pieces for faster freezing. Whole beans freeze slower, risking degradation.
Portion beans into freezer bags, excluding as much air as possible.
Freeze beans immediately after picking and prepping – don’t leave at room temperature.
Use frozen beans within 8 weeks for best quality.

How To Blanch Runner Beans

While blanching does add one extra step before freezing, it’s a fairly quick and easy process:

Wash and trim ends from beans. Leave whole or cut into pieces.
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Use 2 gallons water per 1 pound beans.
Add beans and boil for 3 minutes – no longer.
Drain beans and immediately submerge in ice bath to stop cooking.
Pat beans dry thoroughly with towels before freezing.
Portion beans into bags, exclude air, and freeze.

So blanching takes just a few minutes but extends the freezer life exponentially.

Alternative Quick-Freeze Methods

If you want to quick-prep beans for the freezer but don’t have time for traditional blanching, there are two quicker options:

Steam Blanching

Place cut beans in single layer in steamer basket.
Steam for 2 minutes only.
Remove steamer and immerse basket into ice bath.
Drain, dry, and freeze beans.

Microwave Blanching

Place beans in microwave-safe dish with 2 tbsp water.
Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Immerse in ice bath.
Drain, dry, freeze.

These steam and microwave methods provide a quicker blanch while still helping protect frozen bean quality.

How To Use Previously Frozen Runner Beans

Once you’re ready to enjoy your frozen beans, using them is easy:

There’s no need to thaw before cooking. Beans can go straight from freezer to hot pan or boiling water.
For pan-frying or sauteing, use a bit of oil or broth to prevent sticking and drying out.
Add previously frozen beans at the end of cooking soups, stews, and casseroles to heat through.
Beans will be slightly softer in texture than fresh after freezing.

Follow recipe cooking times as normal. And within minutes you’ll be enjoying delicious runner beans just like they were freshly picked!

The Takeaway

Freezing is a great way to preserve garden-fresh runner beans to savor all year long. While it’s possible to skip blanching and quick-freeze them raw, this significantly reduces their usable frozen shelf life. For optimal quality frozen beans that retain their flavor, color, texture, and nutrients for up to 2 years, take the time to blanch them first. The little extra effort is well worth it!

can you freeze runner beans without blanching them first

How to Freeze Runner Beans

If you have room in the freezer, one of the easiest ways to keep runner beans fresh is to freeze them.

Here is a guide to undertaking this very simple process, step by step:

Step one: Pick your runner beans. When runner beans are about 15 to 20 cm long, they are ready to be picked.
Step 2: Make sure the beans are clean by running them under cold water.
Third, cut the runner beans into pieces of the size you want. Throw away any tough ends or stalks and any stringy edge pieces.
Step four: Blanch your beans (see below).
Fifth, put the blanched beans on a baking sheet and put it in the freezer’s coldest spot so they don’t all freeze at the same time.
Step 6: Put the frozen beans into storage containers that are the right size for one meal for your family as soon as they are frozen.
Step 7: Put these containers back in the freezer so you can use them whenever you need to.

Can Other Beans Be Frozen Without Blanching?

Another type of green bean that you might grow in your garden is French bean. You can freeze these too, with or without blanching.

Again, there may be a small difference in the taste and texture of beans that haven’t been blanched, but most of the time, the beans will still taste good, and you won’t be able to tell a big difference as long as you don’t freeze them for too long.

Freezing Green Beans Without Blanching Them First! – Garden Harvest Preservation

FAQ

Should you blanch runner beans before freezing?

Once you have picked your runner beans, if you intend to freeze them for later use, it is essential to cut them immediately and blanch them in boiling water for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and rinse them in cold water to remove the heat. Store in a good quality freezer bag and freeze immediately.

What happens if you don’t blanch green beans before freezing?

If you freeze green beans without blanching them first, the texture, color, and taste won’t be quite as fresh when you defrost and eat them after long-term storage. They’ll be good for a couple of months in the freezer, but quickly go downhill thereafter.

Can you vacuum seal and freeze green beans without blanching?

Green beans are a fairly easy vegetable to vacuum package. Some people blanch their green beans prior to freezing them, but by vacuum sealing them, you are preserving the quality and nutrients without the added extra step and time.

How to freeze fresh green beans from the garden?

Arrange the green beans on a tray in a single layer. This prevents them from sticking together during freezing. Place the tray into the freezer until the beans firm and frozen. Then, the beans can be transferred into airtight freezer-safe containers or bags.