Recipe For Canning Green Beans

John Blinks

6 min read

·

Jul 31, 2024

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Recipe for Canning Green Beans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Canning green beans is a fantastic way to preserve the fresh flavors of summer for enjoyment all year round. This process allows you to enjoy the vibrant green color and crisp texture of fresh green beans, even when they're not in season.

Here's what you'll need:

• Green beans: Choose firm, crisp green beans, free of blemishes.
• Water: Use clean, filtered water for blanching and processing.
• Salt: Sea salt or kosher salt are suitable for preserving.
• Vinegar: White vinegar helps to maintain the bright green color and prevents discoloration.
• Jar lids and bands: New lids are essential for a good seal. Bands can be reused.
• Canning jars: Use pint or quart jars designed for canning.
• Canning pot: A large pot with a rack for holding jars.
• Jar lifter: A tool for safely lifting hot jars.
• Ladle: For filling jars with liquid.
• Funnel: To prevent spills when filling jars.
• Magnetic lid lifter: For removing lids from boiling water.

Steps to Canning Green Beans:

Preparing the Green Beans

1. Trim and wash: Remove the stem ends and discard any damaged beans. Wash the green beans thoroughly under cold running water.
2. Blanch: Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add green beans and blanch for 3-5 minutes.
3. Shock: Drain the beans and immediately transfer them to a bowl of ice water. This stops the cooking process and preserves the vibrant green color.
4. Pack the jars: Fill clean, hot jars with blanched green beans, leaving about 1 inch of headspace.

Creating the Brine

1. Combine ingredients: In a saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
2. Heat: Bring the brine to a rolling boil and maintain a gentle boil for 1 minute.
3. Fill jars: Carefully pour the boiling brine over the green beans in the jars, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
4. Remove air bubbles: Use a clean spoon or chopstick to remove any air bubbles that have formed.

Canning Process

1. Wipe jar rims: Clean the jar rims with a clean, damp cloth to ensure a good seal.
2. Place lids: Place new lids on top of jars.
3. Tighten bands: Screw the bands down tightly onto the lids, but don't over-tighten.
4. Process in a water bath: Place jars in a canning pot filled with enough water to cover the jars by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a rolling boil.
5. Maintain boil: Process jars for 20 minutes for pint jars and 25 minutes for quart jars.
6. Remove from water bath: Carefully lift jars out of the water bath using a jar lifter and place them on a clean, dry towel to cool.
7. Check seals: Once cool, press down on the center of each lid. If the lid doesn't move, the jar is sealed.

Storing and Enjoying

• Store canned green beans in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
• To enjoy, simply open the jar and heat the green beans in a saucepan or microwave.

Tips for Success:

• Use a pressure canner: For a higher altitude, consider using a pressure canner.
• Check for proper seal: Before storing, check for any signs of leaks or unsealed jars.
• Inspect for discoloration: If you notice any discoloration, it's best to discard the jar.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor! Canning your own green beans is a rewarding experience that allows you to savor the freshness of summer, all year round.