Preserve Summer: Easy Canning Green Beans Recipe

Canning green beans might just be the culinary adventure you never knew you needed. Picture this: the vibrant green of freshly picked beans, their crisp snap as you break them in half, and the earthy aroma wafting through your kitchen. This is not just a recipe; it’s a gateway to summer memories and future family gatherings. The best part? Your pantry will soon overflow with delicious, preserved goodness that’s ready for any occasion.

Now, let me take you back to a sunny afternoon when I first attempted canning green beans. Armed with my grandmother’s old canning jars and a questionable recipe I found online, I felt like a pioneer ready to conquer the wild world of food preservation. Spoiler alert: I may have also conquered the kitchen counter with spilled water and beans everywhere, but hey, it’s all part of the fun, right? Get ready to savor those flavors year-round!

I’ll never forget when I first opened a jar of my canned green beans at Thanksgiving. My family couldn’t believe I had done it! They were impressed and genuinely excited about the home-canned goodness.

Essential Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:

• Fresh Green Beans: Choose firm, bright green beans with no blemishes for the best taste and texture.

• Water: Use filtered water to ensure purity; this makes a difference in flavor.

• Canning Salt: Opt for non-iodized canning salt since iodine can affect flavor and color.

• Lemon Juice or Citric Acid: This is essential for maintaining acidity levels necessary for safe preservation.

• Spices (Optional): Enhance flavor with garlic cloves or peppercorns according to your personal preference.

The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.

Let’s Make it together

Prepare Your Workspace: Start by gathering your canning equipment: jars, lids, and a large pot for sterilizing everything. Ensure everything is clean and organized before diving into the fun part.

Wash and Trim Green Beans: Rinse the fresh green beans under cold water thoroughly. Trim both ends off each bean so they look neat and ready for their big moment in the jar.

Blanch Green Beans: In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the green beans for about 3 minutes until they turn bright green. This helps preserve their color and crunchiness.

Pack Your Jars: Carefully pack the blanched beans into sterilized jars vertically, leaving about an inch of headspace at the top to allow room for expansion during processing.

Add Salt and Acid: For each quart jar, add one teaspoon of canning salt along with two tablespoons of lemon juice or one teaspoon of citric acid to ensure proper acidity levels.

Fill with Water & Seal**: Pour boiling water over the packed beans until they are fully submerged within an inch from the top. Wipe down the rim of each jar with a clean cloth before placing on lids tightly.

Strongly adhere to these steps to create flavorful canned green beans that’ll wow everyone who tries them! Now go forth bravely into your canning adventure!

You Must Know

• Canning green beans is a fantastic way to preserve their crunchiness and flavor
• The vibrant green color and fresh taste bring summer into your winter meals, making it perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners
• Plus, it’s a great way to reduce food waste!

Perfecting the Cooking Process

To ensure perfectly canned green beans, start by washing and trimming them first. Then, blanch the beans for three minutes before packing them into jars to lock in that fresh flavor.

Add Your Touch

Feel free to experiment with spices when canning green beans. Adding garlic, dill, or even red pepper flakes can create unique flavors that elevate your dish.

Storing & Reheating

Store your canned green beans in a cool, dark place. For reheating, simply warm them on the stove or in the microwave until heated through—no extra fuss needed!

Chef's Helpful Tips

• When canning green beans, always use fresh produce; this enhances both taste and texture
• Ensure you sterilize jars properly to avoid spoilage
• Don’t skip the blanching step; it preserves color and crunchiness beautifully

Canning green beans reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen, where she’d teach me to preserve summer’s bounty while sharing stories about her garden adventures.

FAQ

What type of green beans are best for canning?

Tender varieties like Blue Lake or Roma are ideal for canning due to their firmness.

How long do canned green beans last?

When stored properly, canned green beans can last up to two years.

Can I add other vegetables while canning green beans?

Yes! You can mix in carrots or onions for added flavor and nutrition when canning.

Print

Canning Green Beans

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Canning green beans is a delightful way to capture summer’s freshness for year-round enjoyment. With their vibrant color and crisp texture, home-canned green beans add a burst of flavor to any meal. This easy recipe will guide you through preserving your harvest, ensuring that you have delicious, nutritious beans ready for family gatherings or cozy dinners. Plus, it’s a fun culinary adventure that allows you to customize flavors to suit your taste!

• Author: Jennifer
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: Approximately 4 quart jars 1x
• Category: Preservation
• Method: Canning
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs fresh green beans
• 4 cups filtered water
• 2 tsp non-iodized canning salt
• 4 tbsp lemon juice or 2 tsp citric acid
• Optional: spices like garlic cloves or peppercorns

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Prepare your workspace by sterilizing jars and lids.
2. Wash and trim the green beans, removing both ends.
3. Blanch the beans in boiling water for 3 minutes.
4. Pack blanched beans into sterilized jars vertically, leaving an inch of headspace.
5. Add 1 tsp canning salt and 1 tbsp lemon juice (or ½ tsp citric acid) per quart jar.
6. Fill jars with boiling water until fully submerged within an inch from the top.
7. Wipe jar rims clean and seal tightly with lids.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
• Calories: 40
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg