Blanching Green Beans

5 from 17 votes

Step by step directions on how to blanch green beans.

Course Vegetable

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 16

Servings pound

Calories 35kcal

Rinse and trim your beans
1 pound green beans
Boil a large pot of water.
1 gallon water, 1 tablespoon salt
If using in a recipe, add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water. If freezing beans, do not add salt.
Drop beans into boiling water and cook for 3-4 minutes until the beans are tender, but still crisp. Smaller thinner beans may take less time. Check at 2 minutes.
Remove the beans from the water using tongs and plunge directly into a large bowl of ice water. Give the beans a stir or two to make certain they all cool quickly.
Allow beans to fully cool before removing, about 3-5 minutes
Pour beans into a colander to drain

Use quality fresh green beans
I typically leave my beans long, but you can cut them into smaller pieces as well
Don't overcook the beans. Set your timer for 3 minutes and taste test one of the beans. You want your bean to still be crisp.
Smaller, thinner beans will take less time. Test at 2 minutes.
Immediately remove from the boiling water and place directly into the ice water
Use a large bowl filled with ice water. You want to stop the cooking process immediately.