Can You Freeze Butter Beans?
Butter beans are one of those store cupboard staples (or pantry staples if you’re in the US) that always come in handy.
They’re brilliant for bulking out soups, stews, casseroles and salads, and if you grow your own, you can easily end up with more than you can eat while they’re in season.
Rather than letting them go to waste, the good news is that yes, you can freeze butter beans. Whether they’re fresh, cooked or from a tin (can), freezing is an easy way to keep them for another day.
Can You Freeze Butter Beans?
Yes. Butter beans freeze very well.
You can freeze:
- Fresh butter beans (after blanching)
- Cooked butter beans
- Canned (tinned) butter beans once opened
- Homemade butter bean dishes
- Soups, stews and casseroles containing butter beans
Freezing may make the beans slightly softer once thawed, but they’re still perfect for most cooked dishes.
Can You Freeze Fresh Butter Beans?
Yes, but they should be blanched first.
Blanching helps preserve their texture, flavour and colour while preventing them from becoming mushy in the freezer.
If you’ve grown butter beans in the garden or bought fresh pods at a farmers’ market, blanching is well worth the extra couple of minutes.
Can You Freeze Fresh Butter Beans Without Blanching?
It’s possible, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Freezing fresh butter beans without blanching often leaves them softer and less flavoursome after thawing.
A quick blanch gives much better results.
Can You Freeze Cooked Butter Beans?
Yes.
If you’ve cooked too many butter beans for dinner or batch cooked a large pan, simply allow them to cool before freezing in meal-sized portions.
They’re ideal for adding straight into soups, casseroles and pasta dishes later.
Can You Freeze Canned Butter Beans?
Yes.
Once you’ve opened a tin (or can), transfer any leftovers into a freezer-safe container before freezing.
Never freeze food in the opened can itself.
If you won’t use the leftovers within 3 to 4 days, freezing is a great way to reduce food waste.
How To Blanch Fresh Butter Beans
- Bring a large pan of water to a rolling boil.
- Add the shelled butter beans.
- Blanch for 2 minutes.
- Transfer immediately into iced water.
- Leave until completely cold.
- Drain thoroughly.
They’re now ready for freezing.
How To Freeze Butter Beans
- Make sure the beans are completely cool.
- Divide into meal-sized portions.
- Place into freezer bags or airtight freezer-safe containers.
- Remove as much air as possible if using freezer bags.
- Label with the contents and freezing date.
Smaller portions are easier to thaw and help prevent food waste because you only need to remove what you’ll actually use.
How Long Do Butter Beans Last In The Freezer?
Butter beans are best used within 12 months.
Although they’ll usually remain safe after that, the texture and flavour gradually begin to decline.
If they’re part of another dish, such as a casserole or soup, follow the shortest storage time of any ingredient.
How To Defrost Butter Beans
For the best results, thaw butter beans overnight in the fridge.
However, many recipes don’t require defrosting at all.
Frozen butter beans can be added straight into:
- soups
- stews
- chilli
- curries
- casseroles
- pasta sauces
Simply allow a few extra minutes for cooking.
How To Reheat Butter Beans
Because butter beans are already cooked, reheating is quick.
You can:
- microwave them
- warm them gently in a saucepan
- stir them straight into hot soups or casseroles
- heat them in pasta sauces
Always ensure they’re piping hot before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you freeze butter beans after cooking?
Yes. Allow them to cool first, portion them into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 12 months.
Can you freeze canned butter beans?
Yes. Opened canned (tinned) butter beans freeze very well once transferred to a suitable container.
Can you freeze butter bean stew?
Absolutely. Butter bean stews, casseroles and soups are all excellent candidates for freezing.
Are butter beans the same as lima beans?
They’re very closely related. In many countries the larger mature lima beans are sold as butter beans, so freezing advice is the same for both.
Can you freeze butter beans in their pods?
It’s better to shell them first before blanching and freezing. They’ll take up less space and be ready to cook straight from the freezer.
Looking For More Freezing Advice?
If you’re wondering what else you can freeze, take a look at my Freezing Food Hub, where you’ll find hundreds of guides covering vegetables, fruit, dairy products, leftovers, batch cooking, takeaways and much more.
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