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Broad beans, also known as fava or faba beans, are edible members of the pea family. Freezing broad beans is quick and easy and gives you access to delicious beans at any time of the year! Blanching your broad beans will increase their lifespan in your freezer, but it's fine to skip the blanching part if you plan to use the frozen broad beans within 4-6 weeks.[1]

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Preparing the Beans

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  1. Snap the end of the bean pod and pull down to remove the thick seam that runs down the side of the bean. Press your finger along the inside of the pod to easily release the beans. Healthy broad beans will range in color from light to dark green when they are fully mature with pods from two to twelve inches long.[2]
    • You can purchase broad bean pods or grow your own.
  2. Use your senses to pick out any outlying beans that look, smell, or feel strange compared to the rest.
    • Brown spots, withered pods, or unhealthy looking beans probably won't hurt you, but it is important to use your best judgement and place these beans to the side to throw away. You only want the freshest beans for your future culinary creations![3]
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Broad Beans
    Run the beans under cold water and lightly massage them to remove the outer skins, dirt and debris, and any remaining pieces of the pod.[4]
    • Rinsing the beans will help clean the outside of the beans while blanching them will clean the inside of the beans and help preserve the good stuff - vitamins and flavor![5]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Blanching the Beans

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  1. Wait until the pot is bubbling before adding your beans.[6]
    • The water should just cover the beans you have added to the pot.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Broad Beans
    Blanching will help the beans retain their structure and freshness once you freeze them, but you don't need to cook them through.
    • Blanching helps to kill bacteria inside of the beans and stop the growth of enzymes so that the beans taste better and retain all of their important vitamins. [7]
    • Although you don't need to blanch your beans before freezing them, if you do choose to blanch them they will last a lot longer in your freezer![8]
    • Blanched beans will look vibrant and feel slightly soft while still maintaining a crunch when eaten.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Broad Beans
    Pour the beans into a colander, then shake gently from side to side to remove excess moisture.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Broad Beans
    Fill the bowl you originally used to collect your beans with cold water and a couple ice cubes if you want to speed up the process.
    • Let them cool down for about 10 minutes.[9]
    • Repeat these steps for each batch of beans.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Freezing the Beans

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Freeze Broad Beans
    Lay them in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel and lay a second towel over the beans and lightly press down.
    • It is important to soak up any retained water so fewer ice crystals form on the beans once they are frozen. Don't worry about completely drying out your beans sine they will be preserved in the freezer.
  2. Gently press the air out of the end before you seal them up.
    • Writing the date on each bag will help you keep your frozen goods organized and remind you when to use them.
  3. Blanching your beans will help them last up to 8 months in the freezer. Now you have fresh beans for salads, soups, and other exciting recipes! [10]
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About This Article

Marrow Private Chefs
Reviewed by:
Culinary Experts
This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 79,433 times.
23 votes - 87%
Co-authors: 3
Updated: August 13, 2024
Views: 79,433
Categories: Freezing Food
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 79,433 times.

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