Blue Lake Beans

Estimated Inventory, 25 lbs : 10.82
This item was last sold on : 06/30/25

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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.

Marisi La Jolla	La Jolla CA	951-852-6730
Sushi Ota 2021	San Diego CA	858-270-5047
Love Boat Sushi-Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-721-3737
Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch)	San Marcos CA	619-709-0938
Comma	San Diego CA	619-802-9183
Kinme (Deliver to Azuki)	San Diego CA	619-238-4760
Temaki	Encinitas CA	702-489-2129
Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma	San Diego CA	619-224-2401
Sushi Kami	San Diego CA	858-451-7799
Blue Ocean	Carlsbad CA	760-434-4959
Convention Center Shell	San Diego CA	619-954-3063
One Door North	San Diego CA	858-232-4220
Mission Ave Bar and Grill	Oceanside CA	760-717-5899
Bali Hai Restaurant	San Diego CA	619-222-1181
Woods Hole Oceanographic Inst.	San Diego CA	508-289-2667
Vi At La Jolla Village	San Diego CA	858-646-7700
Le Coq	La Jolla CA	858-427-1500
InterContinental Vistal Kitchen	San Diego CA	619-501-9400
Hane	San Diego CA	619-339-6438
Stout Public House	San Diego CA	619-702-7933

the other 49...

Reata Glen	Ladera Ranch CA	949-545-2250
Fort Oak	San Diego CA	619-795-6901
Seasoned Catering and Events	San Diego CA	619-246-4909
Sheraton La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-453-5500
Sbicca Del Mar	Del Mar CA	619-417-2587
Mavericks Beach Club	San Diego CA	858-999-0348
The Corner Drafthouse	San Diego CA	619-255-2631
Carte Hotel	San Diego CA	619-365-1858
Isola La Jolla	La Jolla CA	858-412-5566
Third Corner Encinitas	Encinitas CA	760-942-2104
Lucky Bolt	San Diego CA	662-832-3638
The Plot	Oceanside CA	422-266-8200
Chef Lance Roll	Vista CA	760-685-2433
Solare Ristorante Lounge	San Diego CA	619-270-9670
Pizza Kaiju	San Diego CA	619-240-2716
Urban Kitchen Catering	San Diego CA	619-276-8803
Public House 131	San Diego CA	858-537-0890
Animae	San Diego CA	619-925-7908
Salt & Whiskey	San Diego CA	619-544-1886
Farmer and The Seahorse	San Diego CA	619-302-3682
Brigantine Del Mar	Del Mar CA	858-481-1166
Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20)	Carlsbad CA	760-827-2400
Encontro North Park	San Diego CA	310-955-6333
Shimbashi Izakaya	Del Mar CA	858-523-0479
Common Theory Chula Vista	Chula Vista CA	619-495-3689
The Tavern	Coronado CA	602-628-5890
Chateau La Jolla	San Diego CA	858-459-4451
Marys Gourmet Salads	La Jolla CA	858-925-4690
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club	Rancho Santa Fe CA	858-756-1582
Trattoria I Trulli	Encinitas CA	760-277-9826
Harney Sushi Oceanside	Oceanside CA	760-967-1820
Miho	San Diego CA	619-365-5655
Spirit of Adventure Sportfishing	San Diego CA	619-454-9711
Il Giardino di Lilli	La Jolla CA	619-467-9897
Bernardo Heights Country Club	San Diego CA	858-487-4022
Crest Cafe	San Diego CA	619-295-2510
Cutwater Spirits	San Diego CA	619-672-3848
Green Acres Campus	San Diego CA	858-450-9907
Third Corner Ocean Beach	San Diego CA	619-223-2700
Parkhouse Eatery	San Diego CA	619 295 7275
Jo's Mission Hills Diner	San Diego CA	619-417-3801
Blue Ocean Sushi & Grill (UTC)	San Diego CA	858-886-9909
US Grant Hotel Grill	San Diego CA	619-232-3121
Cal A Vie	Vista CA	760-945-2055
Kinme Omakase	San Diego CA	619-231-0700
Lumi	San Diego CA	619-955-5750
Valentina	Encinitas CA	207-522-1937
Pacific Yacht Agents	Los Angeles CA	808-214-0970
Park Commons - ARE	San Diego CA	619-295-3172

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Blue Lake Beans. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Basil & Bubbly		Garlic Ginger Green Beens
The Speckled Palate		Green Bean Bacon Bundles
From A Chef's Kitchen		Lasagna with Pesto Green Beans and Potatoes
The Gracious Wife		Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes & Green Beans
Sally's Baking Addiction		Creamy Green Bean Casserole from Scratch
Foods from Africa		African Garden Egg Curry
Fork Knife Swoon		Skillet Green Beans with Blue Cheese
Garlic & Zest		Orange-Dijon Haricots Verts with Crispy Shallots
Buona Pappa		Green Beans, Chicken & Avocado Baby Food
Low Carb Yum		Oven Fried Green Beans

the other 32...

Peas and Crayons		Greek Green Bean Salad
Rachel Cooks		Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan and Basil
Epicurious		Blue Lake Green Beans with Lemon and Thyme
Fat Free Vegan Kitchen		Maitake + Beech Mushrooms with Simmered Tofu on Rice
Eat Good 4 LIfe		Tamari Green Beans Stir-Fry
Life Made Sweeter		Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Balsamic
Baking Beauty		Green Bean Casserole From Scratch
Foodie Crush		Pickled Green Beans
The Real Food Dietitians		Chicken Bacon Ranch Sweet Potato Bake
Nutrition Stripped		Bright Balanced Spring Salad
The Stay at Home Chef		How To Cook the Best Green Beans Ever
Barefeet in the Kitchen		Sriracha Honey Roasted Green Beans
The Wanderlust Kitchen		Oven Roasted Green Beans
eCurry		Green Beans, Tomatoes and Almonds with Sumac
Sweet Phi		Quick Pickled Vegetables
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch		Green Bean Salad with Grainy Dijon Shallot Vinaigrette
Little Broken		Baked Fish and Vegetables in Foil with Chimichurri Sauce
An Affair From the Heart		Potato, Green Bean & Bacon Soup
Evolving Table		15 Minute Green Beans with Vinegar
An Italian in My Kitchen		Simple Italian Green Bean Toss
Sweet C's Designs		Garlic Chinese Style Green Beans
Delish Knowledge		Lentil Nicoise Salad
Today's Creative Life		Chinese Beef and Green Bean Stir Fry
From A Chef's Kitchen		Roasted Green Beans with Tomato Caper Relish
Cookin' Canuck		Green Beans with Balsamic Roasted Shallots
She Wears Many Hats		Garlic Lemon Green Beans
Mostly Homemade Mom		Garlic Roasted Green Beans au Gratin
Spend With Pennies		Bacon Green Bean Bundles
Baby Foode		Apple, Green Beans & Broccoli Puree
Skinny Miss		Pasta with Green Beans and Pesto
Joyful Healthy Eats		Crispy Baked Green Bean Fries with Creamy Sriracha Sauce
Sprinkles and Sprouts		Roasted Green Beans with Parmesan and Rosemary