Blue Lake Beans

Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 5.81
This item was last sold on : 05/09/25

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Description/Taste

Blue Lake beans are slender, elongated pods, averaging 14 to 18 centimeters in length, and are generally straight, tapering slightly to pointed ends. The green pods are smooth, plump, firm, and stringless, encasing tiny pale green to white edible seeds. Blue Lake beans also have a crisp, succulent, and crunchy, snap-like consistency when raw with a fresh, green flavor. When cooked, the pods soften, developing a milder flavor with grassy, vegetal, and sweet undertones. It is important to note that Blue Lake beans can be found in both pole and bush varieties, and each type may differ in appearance and flavor. Pole Blue Lake beans will develop from vining plants that will reach 2 meters in height, while bush varieties will grow to approximately 45 centimeters in height.

Seasons/Availability

Blue Lake beans are available year-round.

Current Facts

Blue Lake beans, botanically classified as Phaseolus vulgaris ‘Blue Lake,’ are snap green beans belonging to the Fabaceae family. Blue Lake beans were named after the Blue Lake District in California, where the beans were first created, and are some of the most popular varieties in the United States. There are many different varieties of Blue Lake beans that have been selectively bred over time, and in modern-day seed catalogs, there are both bush and pole Blue Lake cultivars. The first Blue Lake beans developed in the early 20th century were primarily used for canning, but as breeding advancements were made, growing fibreless, crisp beans, Blue Lake beans became a favorite variety for fresh consumption. Blue Lake beans are regarded by gardeners to be one of the most flavorful green beans and are valued for their prolific nature. Among the many different cultivars, the signature Blue Lake bean variety is known in seed catalogs as Blue Lake 274.

Nutritional Value

Blue Lake beans are a good source of vitamin K to assist in faster wound healing, vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while reducing inflammation, fiber to stimulate the digestive tract, and vitamin A to maintain healthy organ functioning. The beans also contain potassium to balance fluid levels within the body and lower amounts of manganese, calcium, phosphorus, copper, and iron.

Applications

Blue Lake beans have a mild, fresh grassy flavor well suited for both raw and cooked applications such as steaming, sautéing, roasting, and stir-frying. The beans can be served whole, halved, or sliced and tossed into green salads, mixed into grain bowls, or simmered into curries, soups, and stews. Blue Lake beans can also be steamed or roasted and served as a side dish, stir-fried with other vegetables, incorporated into quiches, or cooked into creamy casseroles. In addition to fresh preparations, Blue Lake beans are popularly used in quick pickling recipes and canning. Blue Lake beans pair well with fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and basil, citrus, nuts, including walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts, raisins, cheeses such as cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, and summer squash. Unwashed, raw Blue Lake beans will keep up to 7 days when stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator’s crisper drawer. Cooked green beans will keep 3 to 5 days when stored in the refrigerator.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

Blue Lake beans are one of the featured varieties showcased at the annual Green Bean Festival in Blairsville, Georgia. The celebration was established in the early 21st century in an effort to increase tourism, promote sustainable living between local farms and consumers, and create an educational event for both residents and visitors. Much of the festival occurs at the Union County farmers market, where vendors sell homemade baked items, canned goods, and fresh produce, including Blue Lake beans, while live bands contribute to a lively atmosphere. There is also a 5K run, beauty pageant, and green bean pizza-eating contest held throughout the weekend. One of the most interesting features of the festival is the community cannery located beside the festival grounds. The cannery was remodeled from a privately owned business to a community space where Blairsville residents can book appointments and bring their food items to safely can. Blue Lake beans are a popular canning variety and are often sold canned during the Green Bean Festival.

Geography/History

Blue Lake beans are descendants of ancient bean varieties that were originally native to Peru and were spread across the Americas through migrating peoples. Beans were cultivated in Native American tribes throughout North America, grown in the traditional crop system known as the three sisters, and many different bean varieties were created over time with improved characteristics. The first Blue Lake beans were produced in the early 1900s in the Blue Lake area near Ukiah, California. The original Blue Lake beans were slightly stringy but were the primary variety used for the canning industry. In 1923, the variety was brought to Oregon, where they were extensively researched and trialed for fresh use. Oregon breeders eventually developed new stringless Blue Lake bean varieties, and by 1952, there were over 10,000 acres dedicated to green beans in the state. The first commercial stringless Blue Lake bean variety was developed by the Asgrow Company in 1962, and in 1964, the Blue Lake 274 cultivar was released, one of the most popular Blue Lake beans in the modern-day. Today there are dozens of hybrids and sub-varieties that represent the original Blue Lake bean with better yields, disease resistance, and adaptability to various climates. Blue Lake beans are commercially produced through specialty growers and are sold through supermarkets and farmer’s markets. The beans are also a famous home garden variety in the United States and Australia, and the seeds are sold through online retailers worldwide.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Pretty Pickled, Pretty Sauced	National City CA	619-869-9921
Shogun Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-226-8030
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Le Coq	La Jolla CA	858-427-1500
Sushi Kami	San Diego CA	858-451-7799
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Common Theory Chula Vista	Chula Vista CA	619-495-3689
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Kinme Omakase	San Diego CA	619-231-0700
Cellar Hand	San Diego CA	334-689-2388
Mission Ave Bar and Grill	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Kinme (Deliver to Azuki)	San Diego CA	619-238-4760
Fox Point Farms	Encinitas CA	619-892-0553
Belmont Park Draft	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
Shimbashi Izakaya	Del Mar CA	858-523-0479
Cutwater Spirits	San Diego CA	619-672-3848
Sbicca Del Mar	Del Mar CA	619-417-2587
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400

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The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
Beaumont's	San Diego CA	858-459-0474
Peohes	Coronado CA	619-437-4474
Food by Chef Ty	Vista CA	424-278-8626
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Richard Walkers Pancake House (Carls.)	Carlsbad CA	619-306-2999
Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-721-3737
Jalisco Cantina	Carlsbad CA	619-204-5945
Jo's Mission Hills Diner	San Diego CA	619-417-3801
Seasoned Catering and Events	San Diego CA	619-246-4909
Fish Market Downtown	San Diego CA	619-232-3474
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch)	San Marcos CA	619-709-0938
Crest Cafe	San Diego CA	619-295-2510
Amalfi Gourmet LLC	San Diego CA	619-379-3099
Belmont Park Entertainment	San Diego CA	858-228-9283
Chef Lance Roll	Vista CA	760-685-2433
PFC Fitness Camp	Carlsbad CA	888-488-8936
Green Dragon Tavern & Museum	Carlsbad CA	760-797-5579
Marisi La Jolla	La Jolla CA	951-852-6730
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Il Sogno Italiano	San Diego CA	619-380-2652
Mesa College	San Diego CA	619-388-2240
Junkyard Sports Bar and Grill	Oceanside CA	760-407-8500
Wildland	Carlsbad CA	619-385-0914
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Pizzeria Luigi	San Diego CA	610-539-7025
Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
Bernini's Bistro	La Jolla CA	858-454-5013
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
The Santaluz Club Inc - Banquet	San Diego CA	858-759-3150
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-759-6063
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Coasterra	San Diego CA	619-814-1300
Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill	Vista CA	760-509-4424
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
The Shores	La Jolla CA	858-459-8271
Comma	San Diego CA	619-802-9183
Patisserie Melanie	San Diego CA	619-677-2132
Wolf In the Woods	San Diego CA	619-851-7275
California Culinary Arts Institute	San Diego CA	858-868-1401
Fernside	San Diego CA	619-398-5156
Fort Oak	San Diego CA	619-795-6901
Valentina	Encinitas CA	207-522-1937
Communion	San Diego CA	619-606-5568
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Red Door Friends	San Diego CA	619-295-6000
Mavericks Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-999-0348
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Inn at Rancho Santa Fe	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-381-8289
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Firefly Beach	San Diego CA	619-222-6440
Harney Sushi Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-967-1820
Panama 66	San Diego CA	619-206-6352
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Harney Poway Sushi	Poway CA	760-533-0051

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Blue Lake Beans. One

is easiest, three is harder.

The Stay at Home Chef		How To Cook the Best Green Beans Ever
Fat Free Vegan Kitchen		Maitake + Beech Mushrooms with Simmered Tofu on Rice
Today's Creative Life		Chinese Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry
The Real Food Dietitians		Chicken Bacon Ranch Sweet Potato Bake
Delish Knowledge		Lentil Nicoise Salad
Rachel Cooks		Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan and Basil
The Speckled Palate		Green Bean Bacon Bundles
Epicurious		Blue Lake Green Beans with Lemon and Thyme
Buona Pappa		Green Beans, Chicken & Avocado Baby Food
She Wears Many Hats		Garlic Lemon Green Beans

the other 32...

Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch		Green Bean Salad with Grainy Dijon Shallot Vinaigrette
Sally's Baking Addiction		Creamy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
Foodie Crush		Pickled Green Beans
Barefeet in the Kitchen		Sriracha Honey Roasted Green Beans
eCurry		Green Beans, Tomatoes and Almonds with Sumac
Peas and Crayons		Greek Green Bean Salad
The Wanderlust Kitchen		Oven Roasted Green Beans
Baking Beauty		Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Sprinkles and Sprouts		Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan and Rosemary
Basil & Bubbly		Garlic Ginger Green Beens
Joyful Healthy Eats		Crispy Baked Green Bean Fries with Creamy Sriracha Sauce
Baby Foode		Apple, Green Beans & Broccoli Puree
Foods from Africa		African Garden Egg Curry
Eat Good 4 LIfe		Tamari Green Beans Stir-Fry
The Gracious Wife		Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans
Evolving Table		15 Minute Green Beans with Vinegar
Sweet C's Designs		Garlic Chinese Style Green Beans
Cookin' Canuck		Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots
Life Made Sweeter		Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Balsamic
Sweet Phi		Quick Pickled Vegetables
From A Chef's Kitchen		Lasagna with Pesto Green Beans and Potatoes
From A Chef's Kitchen		Roasted Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish
Spend With Pennies		Bacon Green Bean Bundles
Mostly Homemade Mom		Garlic Roasted Green Beans au Gratin
An Italian in My Kitchen		Simple Italian Green Bean Toss
Skinny Miss		Pasta with Green Beans and Pesto
Low Carb Yum		Oven Fried Green Beans
An Affair From the Heart		Potato, Green Bean & Bacon Soup
Fork Knife Swoon		Skillet Green Beans with Blue Cheese
Garlic & Zest		Orange-Dijon Haricots Verts with Crispy Shallots
Little Broken		Baked Fish and Vegetables in Foil with Chimichurri Sauce
Nutrition Stripped		Bright Balanced Spring Salad