ShelfLife
How long do green beans last?
Fresh green beans keep 3 to 5 days in the fridge from the day you buy them. Blanched, they keep about 8 months in the freezer. Snow peas, sugar snap peas and fresh fava beans follow the same times.
| Food | Fridge | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Green beans, snow peas, sugar snaps, fava beans | 3–5 daysfrom purchase | 8 monthsfrom purchase |
Fridge at 4 °C (40 °F) or colder, freezer at −18 °C (0 °F). Freezer times are for best quality: food kept frozen stays safe, but slowly loses taste and texture. These times are USDA guidance, not a guarantee. When in doubt, throw it out.
How to tell if green beans have gone bad
- Limp, rubbery beans that bend without snapping are old but still edible cooked.
- Slimy, mushy beans or white, fuzzy mold.
- Large brown or black spots, or a sour smell.
How to store green beans
- Keep them unwashed and dry in a perforated bag or open container in the crisper drawer.
- Don't trim them until you cook them.
- Wash them just before cooking.
Can you freeze green beans?
Yes, for about 8 months, blanched first. Trim them, blanch them for about 3 minutes, cool them in ice water, dry them and freeze them in a single layer before bagging. Cook from frozen by steaming, sautéing or adding to soups and stews.
Questions
Can you eat green beans raw?
Green beans contain lectins that cooking breaks down, so they're best cooked. Snow peas and sugar snaps are fine raw.
How long do cooked green beans last?
3 to 4 days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Can you eat limp green beans?
Yes, if they're not slimy, moldy or sour-smelling. They've lost moisture: cook them in a stew, soup or stir-fry.
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Storage times: USDA FoodKeeper (Food Safety and Inspection Service), public domain. Text by ShelfLife.