Things You'll Need:
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Step 1
Harvest beans that are green, firm and slightly swollen, before the internal beans become visible bulges in the external pod. Freezing beans at their peak will allow frozen beans to better retain their color, flavor and texture.
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Step 2
Wash and trim beans, and separate them into 1-pound batches.
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Step 3
In a large pot with a fitted lid, bring about a gallon of water to boil. In a separate bowl, prepare a cooling bath by combining cold water with ice. When your first pot is boiling, add one batch of beans and replace the lid. Keep the water boiling, but reduce the heat if the pot boils over. Leave the beans to blanch in the water for four minutes.
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Step 4
Use a slotted spoon to move the beans from the boiling water to the cooling bath. Once they have cooled, remove the beans from the cold water and drain any extra liquid.
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Step 5
Repeat the blanching process until all the beans are blanched. Blanching water can be re-used, but you will need to add more ice to keep your cooling bath cold.
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Step 6
Package blanched beans in freezer-safe plastic bags or containers. Remove as much air as possible from the container, and place the beans in the freezer.
