This simple easy small batch quick pickled green beans recipe only requires a few minutes of hands-on time. Just a hint of spice to give these green beans that extra flavor boost. These simple beans are a wonderful treat.

These petit pickled tomatoes, small batch roasted tomatoes and single serving roasted glazed carrots go great with these beans.

jar of pickled  green beans.

Recipe Highlights


This is a quick small-batch recipe that uses just a few simple ingredients. It’s a great addition to salads or as a side dish. And the best part: no canning is required. Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Ingredients Notes

You only need a few simple ingredients and minimal hands-on time to prepare these lovely pickled green beans.

Cup of vinegar & water, fresh green beans, pepper flakes, rosemary sprigs,, sea salt,sugar, and sliced garlic.
  • Pickling Brine: This is a sweet brine made from a combination of white vinegar (5% acidity), water, sea salt, and sugar.
  • Salt: Do not use table salt or any salt that contains an anti-caking agent. My go-to salt is Redmond Kosher sea salt; it indicates on the jar that it’s for cooking and pickling.
  • Green Beans: Fresh firm green beans are cut in half to fit into the mason jar.
  • Spices: In this recipe, I use a simple mix of red pepper flakes for a hint of spice, garlic, and fresh rosemary. Fresh dill can be substituted

See the recipe card for ingredient quantities.

Step by Step Recipe Directions

(Note: For complete written instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.)


Whole fresh green beans in black mesh strainer.

Step One: Wash and dry the green beans. Instead of blanching, I pour boiling water over them to bring out the color and help preserve a little crispness.

Fresh green beans cut in half on parchment paper.

Step Two: Cut the beans to fit into the mason jar. I start by cutting in half and then taking off extra if needed.

Green beans and spices in mason jar.

Step Three: Wash and dry an 8-ounce tall mason jar. Pack the green beans into the mason jar and add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Tuck the fresh sprig of rosemary into the jar.

Pickling brine heating in small saucepan.

Step Four: Prepare the brine liquid. Bring the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan. Make sure the brine liquid comes to a full boil for 2 minutes.

Green bean in mason jar.

Step Five: Carefully pour the brine liquid into the jar, fully emerging the green beans and leaving about 1/2 inch of the top of the rim of the jar.

jar of pickled  green beans.

Step Six: Cover with a lid and tap down to break up any air bubbles. Let the jar cool on the counter for about 30 minutes until it reaches room temperature, and then place it in the refrigerator. For the best flavor, let the beans sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving. However, I think they are best after 48 hours.

Helpful Tools

  • Small Saucepan: I own a small butter warmer pan from “made-in” and use it often.
  • Cutting Board: I love flexible cutting boards!
  • Sharp Knife This Victronix Chefs knife is affordable and of great quality. I purchased mine 15 years ago and it still gets used almost every day.
  • Canning Jars: Classic 8-ounce (half-pint canning jars)
  • Mesh Strainer

Ways to Serve Pickled Green Beans

  • Serve on a cold salad or as a garnish.
  • Chop up and add to rice.
  • Add to a cheese plate or charcuterie board.

Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Use the freshest green beans you can find; fresher equals a crisper bean. Refrigerator pickled green beans should not be stored in the pantry; they must be stored in the refrigerator.
  • The canning jars do not need to be sterilized but you should clean them with hot soapy water, rinse and dry the jar.
  • Make sure the brine comes to a full boil.
  • Green beans do not need to be blanched first.

How to Store Leftovers

Properly store the pickled green beans in the refrigerator and they will remain good for up to 2 weeks. Always keep the green bean refrigerator. These should not be frozen.


Quick Pickled Green Beans: Frequently Asked Questions

What type of jar should I use?

Use a tall half-pint (8-ounce) mason jar or use a pint jar if doubling the recipe.

What type of vinegar can I use?

The standard is white distilled vinegar; however, you can also use apple cider vinegar to pickle greens and beans.

Do I need to blanch the green beans first?

No, but pouring boiling water over the green beans helps brighten the color.

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jar of pickled  green beans.

Pickled Green Beans

This simple easy small batch quick pickled green beans recipe only requires a few minutes of hands-on time. Just a hint of spice to give these green beans that extra flavor boost. These simple beans are a wonderful treat.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Additional Time: 2 days
Total Time: 2 days 5 minutes
Servings: 8 ounce
Author:Sydney Dawes

Ingredients

  • ¼ pound green beans
  • 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
  • 1 garlic clove sliced thin
  • teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¾ cup white distilled vinegar 5% acidity
  • ¾ cup water
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Wash and dry the green beans. Instead of blanching I pour boiling water over the green beans to bring out the color and help preserve a little crispness.
  • Cut the beans to fit into the mason jar. I start by cutting in half and then taking off extra if needed.
  • Wash and dry an 8-ounce tall mason jar. Pack the green beans into the mason jar and add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Tuck the fresh sprig of rosemary into the jar.
  • Prepare the brine liquid. In a small saucepan bring the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar to a boil. make sure the brine liquid comes to a full boil for 2 minutes.
  • Carefully pour the brine liquid into the jar, fully emerging the green beans and leaving about 1/2 inch of headroom from the top.
  • Cover with a lid, and tap down to break up any air bubbles. Let the jar cool on the counter for about 30 minutes, until it reaches room temperature then place it in the refrigerator. For best flavor, let the beans sit in the refrigerator for 48 hours.

Notes

This small batch recipe for refrigerated pickled green beans is not meant to be stored long-term in the pantry.
Select Fresh Green Beans: Use fresh, crisp green beans for the best results. They should be bright in color, and snap easily when bent.
Trim the Ends: Trim the ends of the green beans, but leave enough of the stem end to keep the bean whole.
Use a Clean Jar: Make sure your jar is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Use hot soapy water to thoroughly wash the jar. Dry the jar you will use to store the green beans. This helps to prevent any unwanted bacteria growth.
Vinegar:The ratio of vinegar to water should not be altered.
Add Flavors: Don’t shy away from adding extra flavors. Dill, garlic, mustard seeds, red pepper flakes, or peppercorns are all great choices.
The Brine: Make sure the brine comes to a full boil.When pouring the brine over the beans, make sure they are fully covered. You might need to shake the jar a bit to let the brine settle. 
Let Them Sit: For the best flavor, let your beans sit in the fridge for at least two days before consuming. They’ll get more flavorful the longer they sit.
Keep it Cold: Always store your pickled green beans in the refrigerator, they are not meant for long term pantry storage.
Consume within a Month: As these are quick pickles and not canned, they should be eaten within a month.

Nutrition Disclaimer

I am not a certified Dietitian or Nutritionist. The nutrition amounts given below is an estimate only and provided as a general guide only.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 2g | Sodium: 541mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g
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