Store Your Green Beans the Expert-Approved Way for Ultimate Freshness!

We consume a significant amount of green beans. I often purchase a large bag of fresh organic beans from Costco and we try to use them up quickly. However, occasionally they stay too long in the fridge and end up slimy and not fit for consumption. It was clear I needed a better method to maintain their freshness, so I consulted an expert.

According to Jamie Mok, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the optimal way to store fresh green beans to extend their shelf life is to keep them unwashed and untrimmed in a container inside the refrigerator’s crisper drawer.

“Green beans are quite susceptible to moisture loss. Research indicates that maintaining them at temperatures between 39°F and 46°F (4°C to 8°C) with high humidity can greatly prolong their shelf life while preserving their nutritional content,” Mok explains.

“The crisper drawers in refrigerators provide a cool and humidity-controlled setting that helps slow the ripening process and prevents the beans from dehydrating.” Stored this way, they should remain fresh for about a week.

A Superior Method for Storing Green Beans

Melanie Marcus, a registered dietitian and chef, concurs that using the crisper drawer is the best approach but suggests a tweak for even better results. “Insert a paper towel inside the plastic bag where the beans are packed,” recommends Marcus. “Poke a few holes for ventilation and always wash the beans just before you plan to use them.”

If there’s more space available, use a large, flat container lined with paper towels and lay the green beans on top. “Cover the container loosely with its lid or some plastic wrap, ensuring to leave a gap for air circulation,” Marcus adds. “This method might give you a few extra days of freshness!”

Clean and Freeze Your Green Beans

No matter how you store them, avoid trimming or washing your green beans until you are about to use them. “Introducing moisture by washing can lead to quicker spoilage and microbial growth over time,” Mok points out. “Trimming the ends may result in dried out beans and provide an opening for microbes to enter, speeding up the spoilage process.”

If you anticipate not consuming all your beans promptly, freezing is a viable option. Clean and trim the ends, then blanch them by plunging into boiling water for three minutes before transferring to an ice bath to halt the cooking process.

After cooling, place the beans in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for an hour before moving them to an airtight bag in the freezer. “This step can help prevent clumping and freezer burn, allowing the beans to last several months in the freezer,” suggests Mok.

Armed with this expert advice, I’m eager to maximize the longevity and freshness of my next large batch of green beans!