7 Ways to Use Up and Preserve Fresh Beans

Beans are one of those crops that yields a boatload, so finding creative and varying ways to use them is key.  I like to have a mixture of fresh, canned, frozen, etc. at my disposal.  It makes them a lot less boring to mix it up that way.

Here are some ideas on a little of all of them {I am including both green beans and dried varieties, just to cover all the possibilities}:

Preserving

1. Beans are pretty easy to can.  They do require a pressure cooker, but don’t be intimidated.  Once you’ve done it once or twice, you’ll wonder what you were scared of.
2. Dry them.  They can be stored pretty much indefinitely and they make taco night pretty tasty.
3. Freeze them.  Don’t let the texture of frozen veggies deter you.  They are great in soups or roasted in the oven.
4. If you have dried beans, make sure to cook them and whip up a batch of your own refried beans.

Ways to Enjoy Them Fresh

1. Fresh green beans are the bomb diggety.  I am a pretty big fan of Green Beans with Sweet Onions and Bacon.  The flavors all mingle together so well, you almost forget it’s good for you.
2. If you are heading to a BBQ, try this Pasta Salad with Green Beans, Tomatoes and Roasted Peppers.  It is delish.
3. Dried beans are pretty much limitless.  You can pretty much add them to anything–soups, chili, etc. for a quick, cheap protein.

How to you make sure none of your beans go to waste?

~Mavis