• When possible, preserve fresh, locally-grown green beans for the best quality and nutritional value.
• Know when fresh green beans are available in your state with this seasonal food guide.

 

• If this is your first time drying or it has been awhile, it is recommended that you read General Drying Information before beginning. 

1. Selection & Ingredients

• Select vegetables at peak quality and flavor. Do not use vegetables that show signs of decay, mold, or bruising. These defects may affect all pieces being dried.
• 6 pounds of fresh green beans will yield 1/2 pound of dried green beans (approx. 2 1/2 pints)
• Ice is needed for cooling the beans following blanching
• Citric acid (optional) 1 teaspoon (4 grams) in 1 gallon water for blanching step is recommended as an anti-microbial agent (optional)

2. Equipment

• Clean, food-grade dehydrator or oven with drying trays or racks that allow for good air circulation
• • Many types of food dehydrators can be used and are explained in detail in Food Dehydrators.
• Conditioning containers
  • Large, clean plastic or glass container with lid
• Storage containers
  • Clean, dry home canning jars, plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids or plastic freezer bags
  • Vacuum packaging is also a good storage option
• Large covered cooking pot (for blanching)
• Metal blanching basket, cheesecloth or mesh bag (for blanching vegetables prior to drying)
• Colander, strainer or slotted spoon 
• Large bowl (for cooling blanched vegetables in ice water)
• Hot pads
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Timer or clock

3. Prepare Ingredients

Pre-treating vegetables by blanching is recommended to enhance quality and safety. Blanching improves color and texture, relaxes tissues so pieces dry faster, reduces the time needed to rehydrate vegetables, and helps to destroy potentially harmful bacteria. 

• Thoroughly wash green beans.
• Cut into pieces or strips.
• Fill large cooking pot with 1 gallon of water and bring to a rolling boil.
  • If desired, add 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of citric acid to the water as an anti-microbial agent (optional)
• Put no more than four cups of the vegetable pieces in a blanching basket, or a piece of cheesecloth or cloth mesh bag with ends secured.
• Lower vegetable bag or basket into boiling water, making sure water covers the vegetables. Shake bag so hot water reaches all pieces, if necessary.

• Blanch for time shown in table below for your elevation:

Blanching Times for Drying

Below 5,000 ft.	5,000 ft. and above
2-3 minutes	3-4 minutes

 

• Start timing as soon as water returns to a boil.
  • Monitor heat to ensure continuous boiling.
• Remove vegetables from boiling water and submerge briefly in a large bowl of ice, only long enough to stop the cooking action.
  • NOTE: Do not cool to room temperature.
• Drain on paper towel or cloth.
• (Optional) Freeze in single layer for 30-40 minutes after blanching for better texture.
• Repeat process until entire batch is blanched and cooled.

4. Dry

• Arrange blanched green beans in single layers on drying trays.
• Dry at 140 degrees F (60°C) in an oven or dehydrator.
• If necessary, turn large pieces over every 3 to 4 hours during the drying period.
  • Vegetables can scorch easily toward the end of drying, so monitor more closely as drying nears completion. 
  • Beans are done when very dry or brittle.
• Total Drying Time: 8-14 hours in a dehydrator (may take up to twice as long in a conventional oven) 

5. Condition

• Condition by placing cooled, dried green beans loosely in large plastic or glass containers, about two-thirds full.
• Lightly cover and store in a dry, well-ventilated place for four to 10 days.
• Stir or shake containers daily to separate pieces.
• NOTE: If beads of moisture form inside the container return green beans to drying trays for further drying, then repeat the conditioning step.

6. Store

• Store small amounts of conditioned dried vegetables in moisture-vapor-proof containers or bags.
• Label packages with name of product, date and method of pretreatment and drying.
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place or in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Properly stored, dried vegetables keep well for six to 12 months.
  • Discard foods that have off odors or show signs of mold.

7. Using Dried Vegetables

• Dried vegetables can be eaten ‘as is’ as a snack or part of a meal.
• Adding dried vegetables directly to soups and stews is the simplest way to rehydrate vegetables.