Preparing and Storing Green Beans for Future Use: A Straightforward Method to Conserve Your Home-grown Produce's Supply
Let's get canning, folks! Valuable tip: Preserve that green bean harvest the easy way with our step-by-step guide to pressure canning green beans. With this method, you'll have guilt-free delicious, shelf-stable beans for the entire year!
Canning green beans at home is a breeze, and it's the perfect gateway into the world of pressure canning. No fancy ingredients or complicated prep work needed – just good ole' green beans!
In our family, growing green beans is a time-honored tradition. These prolific plants keep us busy picking by the bushels, but we wouldn't have it any other way. The kids love the yearly ritual, and we cook up a storm of fresh and preserved green beans.
When all that freshness starts to add up, it's time to pressure can! Not only does this method save us from using up valuable freezer space, but the canned beans are already cooked, making weeknight meals a breeze.
If you're feeling intimidated by the thought of owning a pressure canner, don't be! Just think of all the ready-to-eat, shelf-stable goodies you could be preserving, like venison and, of course, green beans. Plus, it's the only safe way to can low-acid foods.
So, I say, dust off that fear and get canning! Green beans are the perfect starting point – simple and straightforward.
Pressure Canning Green Beans, Explained
Ready to dive into the canning process? Let's go!
Step 1: Pick your beans
Choose fresh, vibrant green beans with healthy pods for the best flavor and texture.
Step 2: Prepare your jars and equipment
Wash jars, lids, and rings in hot soapy water. Place jars in the pressure canner with the rack in place and fill them 2/3 full with water. Add 3 inches of water to the canner and bring everything to a simmer over medium heat. Keep the jars warm until needed.
Step 3: Wash your beans
Thoroughly clean your beans by rinsing them in cold water mixed with vinegar. It helps remove dirt and debris.
Step 4: Snap your beans
Break the ends off the beans and cut them into 1-inch pieces. This is an enjoyable task, either done with the kiddos or in peaceful solitude on the porch.
Step 5: Raw pack your jars
Pack the raw green beans tightly into warm jars, leaving a 1-inch headspace. If desired, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per pint jar or 1 teaspoon per quart. Pour boiling water over the beans to cover them, making sure to maintain the 1-inch headspace. Remove air bubbles and adjust headspace as needed.
Wipe the jar rims clean, pop the lids on top, and screw the rings just slightly finger-tight. Gently return the jars to the canner.
Step 6: Process your jars
Bring the water in the canner to a boil, vent steam for 10 minutes, and apply the weight to the canner. Follow the pressure guidelines for your altitude. Process pint jars for 20 minutes and quart jars for 25 minutes.
Step 7: Remove jars
Once processing is complete, turn off the heat and let the canner cool naturally. After the pressure gauge reads zero, wait a few minutes before carefully removing the lid. Let the jars sit in the canner for 10 minutes before transferring them to a towel-lined counter to cool.
Step 8: Cool jars, check seals, and store
Wait 12-24 hours to check the jars' seals by pressing down on the lids. If they don't pop up and down, they've sealed properly. Remove the rings, label the jars, and store them in a cool, dark place. Properly sealed jars can last up to a year.
Pro Tips for Pressure Canning Green Beans
- Always use a pressure canner for green beans as they are a low-acid food.
- Use fresh, rust-free beans for the most flavorful outcome.
- Don't hurry the process: Let the canner cool naturally to avoid siphoning.
Loving Life with Canned Green Beans
One of the best ways to enjoy canned green beans is in a classic southern-style recipe. They're also fantastic in soups, stews, and as a delicious side dish when heated in a pan with a touch of butter or bacon grease.
Preserving your green bean harvest with pressure canning gives your family homegrown, nourishing food all year long – just remember, with God's guidance and patience, the rewards are worth it!
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Don't Forget the Recipe!
Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Canner Cooling Time: 1 hour Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Preserve your garden's bounty with this easy canning recipe for green beans. Pressure can those fresh green beans to enjoy shelf-stable, ready-to-use beans for the entire year.
Ingredients
- 8 pounds green beans
- 5 teaspoons salt (optional)
- Boiling water
Instructions
- Wash and snap the green beans into 1-inch pieces.
- Prepare your jars, lids, and pressure canner.
- Pack the raw green beans into hot jars, leaving a 1-inch headspace.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt per pint jar or 1 teaspoon per quart jar.
- Pour boiling water over the beans, maintaining the 1-inch headspace.
- Wipe jar rims, place the lids on top, and process in a pressure canner according to altitude and jar size. Cook pints for 20 minutes, and cook quarts for 25 minutes.
Notes
Weighted Gauge Canner:
- 0 to 1,000 feet: 10 pounds of pressure
- 1,001 feet and above: 15 pounds of pressure
Dial Gauge Canner:
- 0 to 2,000 feet: 11 pounds of pressure
- 2,001 to 4,000 feet: 12 pounds of pressure
- 4,001 to 6,000 feet: 13 pounds of pressure
- 6,001 to 8,000 feet: 14 pounds of pressure
- 8,001 feet and above: 15 pounds of pressure
Note: Processing time remains the same for all elevations; only the pressure changes.
The pressure canning method for green beans not only saves you valuable freezer space but also provides ready-to-eat, shelf-stable goodies like green beans that can be a lifesaver during weeknights. When following our step-by-step guide to pressure can green beans, your lifestyle is enriched with home-and-garden produced, food-and-drink delights that last an entire year.
Incorporating canned green beans into your meals not only offers convenience but also adds a touch of your own canned goodness to your favorite family recipes, such as soups, stews, and even southern-style dishes. With proper storage, you can enjoy your guilt-free, delicious home-canned green beans year-round.
