Quick Answer: Can You Freeze Butter Beans?
Yes, you can freeze butter beans, and they can last in the freezer for up to 9 months. The key is to blanch and portion them before freezing them in a freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. You could also freeze canned butter beans once you portion and pack them.
If you are looking to make the most out of your butter beans harvest or purchase by freezing them, this guide is there to help you out.
I have found these methods and tips to work like a charm.
Let’s get started.
How to Freeze Butter Beans?
This is the most recommended and foolproof method of freezing butter beans.
Materials
- Butter Beans
- Boiling Water
- Ice Bath
Tools
- Paper Towel
- Ziploc Bag
Instructions
Wash and Clean: Get the butter beans all washed and get rid of any spoiled ones out of the mix.
Blanch: Put the butter beans in a pot of boiling water and boil it for 3 to 4 minutes. Then transfer it into an ice bath to stop any further cooking.
Dry and Portion: Drain all the water and thoroughly dry the beans and then portion them into quantities that you can easily consume in one go.
Pack and Seal: Transfer the portioned butter beans into a Ziploc bag and seal them in. Make sure to squeeze out as much of the air in the bag as you can before sealing it.
Label and Freeze: Add a label on the bag with the best before date, and you are all set to freeze the butter beans till you need it next.
Here is a video tutorial by “OldAlabamaGardner” on YouTube to show you how it is done -
How Long Can You Freeze Butter Beans?
You can freeze the butter beans for up to 9 months. Although you can keep it for so long or even longer in the freezer, it is best advised to consume it sooner rather than later to get the best of its taste and flavor.
The longer it stays in the freezer, the more its quality will deteriorate.
Canned beans are best frozen for a couple of months. Though you can freeze it for longer, it will not be as well as fresh butter beans in the freezer.
How to Store Frozen Butter Beans?
You can store frozen butter beans in any freezer-safe air-tight container or Ziploc bag. The key is to keep it as air-tight as possible and keep it protected from freezer burns.
Do not store canned butter beans in the can itself. The can may not be freezer-safe, and it can leave a mess to deal with once it freezes.
So, it is best to portion and transfer the canned beans into another container or Ziploc bag before freezing.
If you are pressed for freezer space it is best to opt for Ziploc bags over containers.
If you freeze the Ziploc bags lying flat on top of each other, you can save a lot of freezer space and also freeze a big batch.
How to Defrost Butter Beans?
Since you would most likely cook the butter beans, you can skip the defrosting process and use it straight out of the freezer.
But if you plan to thaw it, you can take out the portion you need and leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours or overnight and let it thaw gradually.
Once it thaws, you can keep it stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Can You Refreeze Butter Beans?
Although you can refreeze butter beans, you need to keep in mind that repeated freezing and thawing can affect the texture of the butter beans.
Once it thaws, the butter beans can get mushy and soggy.
If the butter beans were left out for a long while before refreezing, there are high chances of it developing bacterial buildup, making it unsafe to eat.
So, it is best to avoid refreezing butter beans by portioning them beforehand into quantities that you can easily consume in one go or one recipe.
Do Butter Beans Freeze Well?
Yes, butter beans freeze well, and they can last in the freezer for a long while. Freezing butter beans is a great way to preserve them without losing all their nutrition and flavor.
As long as they are frozen completely sealed from being exposed to air or freezer burns, you are good to go for at least 9 months or so.
Also, keep in mind that blanched butter beans freeze better and are less likely to go mushy once it thaws than raw butter beans.
FAQs
Yes, you can freeze mashed butter beans, and they can last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Once you make and cool them, you can portion and pack them in freezer-safe air-tight containers or Ziploc bags as you prefer and freeze them till you need them.
Bottom Line
I hope this article has helped you freeze and store the butter beans for the long term.
If you have any doubts or would like to share any tips and tricks of your own, it would be lovely to hear from you.
Feel free to share this article with your veggie-loving family and friends.