Quick Refrigerator Pickled Beans

Use these quick refrigerator pickled beans as a garnish for Caesar cocktails, as a side dish at your next barbecue, or just as a snack.

*This post was originally published in 2015 but it has been updated to bump it up. This is a great recipe if you’ve never made refrigerator pickles before, and it’s one more way to enjoy fresh green beans!

We’re officially sick of beans now. We’ve pawned them off on anyone who comes to our home, and have eaten them raw, steamed, sautéed, in salads, and in this Sesame Ginger Green Bean dish. So today I made these quick refrigerator pickled beans to have on hand for the next time we have Caesar cocktails.

We went to our local farmer’s market on the weekend, and came home without any fresh produce. Why? Our garden is producing like crazy right now, and there was nothing else we needed. However, it was good to wander around with a cup of locally roasted coffee, admire all the crafts, and sample some local artisan gin (even though it was 10:00 a.m.)

If you’ve never made pickles before, these refrigerator pickled beans are a good place to start.

These refrigerator pickles are easy to prepare and need no special equipment. They are great just for snacking right from the jar, or as a side dish at a barbecue or summer party. We like them as a garnish for Caesar cocktails, too.

How to make Quick Refrigerator Pickled Beans

1. Make the brine first, as it needs to cool. Combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and garlic in a small saucepan and heat to boiling. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Prepare the beans. Wash and remove the stems but leave the tip on. Use the straightest ones, then fill the jar so you know exactly how many to use.
3. Remove them from the jar and trim the bunch all at once with a sharp knife so that they will fit in the jar with about 1/2 inch of headroom.
4. Blanch and shock the beans to preserve their colour and crispness. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the beans and boil for 30 seconds. Remove the beans and immediately plunge into an ice bath (a large bowl filled with ice and water) to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
5. Sterilize the jar and lid by washing in hot soapy water, rinsing thoroughly and pouring boiling water over all. Let it stand for a few minutes.
6. Fill the jar with the beans. Add the peppercorns, onion slice, red pepper flakes, and fresh dill. Carefully pour the cooled brine over top so that the beans are completely covered. Put the lid on tightly. Store in the refrigerator. Allow the flavours to develop for at least 2 days.

How long will these refrigerator pickled beans last?

They will last for up to 2 weeks or more in the refrigerator.

This recipe makes enough for one 16 ounce (2 cup) jar. I doubled it and made 2 jars, one with white vinegar and one with apple cider vinegar. Both are tasty, but the ones pickled in apple cider vinegar are a little stronger tasting.

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Quick Refrigerator Pickled Beans

Prep Time

30 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

35 mins

 

A quick and easy recipe for Refrigerator Pickled Beans. Great for snacking, as a side, or as a garnish for Caesar cocktails.

Course: Sides

Cuisine: Canadian, American

Servings: 1 16 oz jar

Calories per serving: 161 kcal

Author: Flavour & Savour

Ingredients

• 2 cups green beans (fresh) enough to completely fill a 16 oz. Mason jar: about 2 cups, stems removed
• 1 cup vinegar, white or apple cider
• 1 cup water
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 - 2 cloves minced garlic OR 1 to 2 tablespoons minced garlic scapes
• 1 ½ tsp coarse sea salt
• 2 - 3 sprigs fresh dill
• 1 slice small onion
• ½ tsp whole black peppercorns
• ¼ to 1 tsp red pepper flakes, depending on how hot you want them

Instructions

1. Make the brine first, as it needs to cool. Combine the vinegar, water, sugar, salt and garlic in a small saucepan and heat to boiling. Remove from heat and let cool.
2. Prepare the beans. Wash and remove the stems but leave the tip on. Use the straightest ones, then fill the jar so you know exactly how many to use.
3. Remove them from the jar and trim the bunch all at once with a sharp knife so that they will fit in the jar with about 1/2 inch of headroom.
4. Blanch and shock the beans to preserve their colour and crispness. Bring a pot of water to a boil, then add the beans and boil for 30 seconds. Remove the beans and immediately plunge into an ice bath (a large bowl filled with ice and water) to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.
   
5. Sterilize the jar and lid by washing in hot soapy water, rinsing thoroughly and pouring boiling water over all. Let it stand for a few minutes.
6. Fill the jar with the beans. Add the peppercorns, onion slice, red pepper flakes, and fresh dill. Carefully pour the cooled brine over top so that the beans are completely covered. Put the lid on tightly. Store in the refrigerator. Allow the flavours to develop for at least 2 days.
7. These will last for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

I made one jar with white vinegar and one with apple cider. They are both good but the jar with apple cider tastes a little stronger.

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More green bean ideas for you!
Sesame Ginger Green Beans:

these are quick to make and they’re flavoured with ginger, garlic and jalapeño!

Green Bean Blue Cheese Salad with Tomatoes:

a delightfully different salad, perfect for potlucks!

Dijon Green Beans with Crispy Potato Chips 

toss green beans with  a yummy Dijon-shallot vinaigrette and add some homemade crispy potato chips!

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