Are you ready to transform ordinary green beans into a tantalizing gourmet delicacy that will make your taste buds dance? These Pickled Tarragon Green Beans are not just a side dish – they're a culinary adventure that combines crisp, fresh green beans with the elegant, slightly sweet-and-peppery notes of tarragon. Perfect for summer gatherings, gourmet charcuterie boards, or as a sophisticated condiment that will have your guests asking, "What is this amazing recipe?" Get ready to elevate your preserving skills and impress everyone with these vibrant, flavor-packed pickled green beans!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2 pints
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons fresh tarragon, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly trim the green beans, removing any stem ends and ensuring they are uniform in length to fit vertically in canning jars.
- Sterilize two pint-sized glass canning jars and their lids by boiling them in water for 10 minutes or running through a dishwasher's sterilization cycle.
- In a medium saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Bring the pickling liquid to a boil, stirring to ensure salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
- Peel and lightly crush the garlic cloves to release their aromatic oils.
- Place one crushed garlic clove and one teaspoon of fresh chopped tarragon at the bottom of each sterilized jar.
- Carefully pack the green beans vertically into the jars, ensuring they are tightly arranged but not crushed.
- Pour the hot pickling liquid over the green beans, leaving approximately 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Use a clean knife or chopstick to remove any air bubbles by sliding it along the jar's interior.
- Wipe jar rims clean with a sterile cloth, then secure lids and rings, tightening until just finger-tight.
- Process jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper preservation.
- Remove jars and allow them to cool completely at room temperature, listening for the distinctive "ping" that indicates a proper seal.
- Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for at least one week before consuming to allow flavors to develop fully.
- Refrigerate after opening and consume within 4-6 weeks for best quality and flavor.
Tips
- Choose the freshest green beans possible - look for crisp, bright green beans without blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
- Make sure your jars are absolutely sterilized to prevent any bacterial growth and ensure safe preservation.
- When packing beans, try to select beans of similar length for a uniform and attractive presentation.
- Don't overtighten jar lids during processing - just finger-tight is perfect to allow air to escape during boiling.
- Use fresh tarragon for the most vibrant flavor. If fresh isn't available, dried can work, but the taste will be less intense.
- Allow pickles to sit for at least a week before eating to let the flavors fully develop and meld together.
- For extra flavor complexity, consider adding a few whole peppercorns or a small piece of dried chili to each jar for a subtle kick.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 15kcal
Carbohydrates: 3g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
