How to Blanch Green Beans

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 5 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

Green beans are a true workhorse in the kitchen. They’re available year-round, easy to prepare, and on top of all that, super flexible. You can toss them into a quick stir-fry, roast them in the oven, or toss them with a flavorful dressing. They’re always there when you need to add something green to a meal.

Ingredients

1 pound green beans
4 quarts water
2 tablespoons kosher salt

Instructions

Rinse 1 pound green beans in a colander under cool water.
Trim the stem ends off the beans. You can either break the ends off one at a time using your fingers or line up a handful of beans and cut the stems off at once with a knife.
Bring 4 quarts water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Add the green beans and 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Boil until bright green and just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl halfway with ice and water.
Drain the green beans and transfer immediately to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Once the beans are completely cool, drain and pat dry with a kitchen towel or paper towels, or spin dry in a salad spinner.