You probably already know that a bushel of green beans is a lot of green beans, enough to ask how many quarts of measurement there are. We are here to answer your questions about how many green beans you will get when you purchase a bushel of them.
A bushel of green beans is approximately 32 quarts, which is equal to 8 gallons. This term is generally used for purchasing a large portion of green beans or other type of produce. One bushel of green beans can weigh anywhere between 30 and 60 pounds.
To learn more about this unit of measurement, as well as the purchasing, processing, storing, and canning of green beans, continue reading.
Number of Quarts in a Bushel of Green Beans
Farmers often use the term “bushel,” as a unit of measuring an amount of fruit or vegetables, but what does this mean? How much exactly is a bushel?
A bushel can be used as a term to understand the quantity of a large portion of fruit or vegetable in a container. They are generally measured by quarts, which is a unit of measurement for volume. One bushel is equal to 32 quarts, a general amount of fruits or vegetables that many farmer’s markets sell in bulk. In many markets that allow you to purchase a custom amount of green beans, you’ll want to ensure that it weighs the correct amount of pounds equal to 32 quarts.
Because measurement of volume can vary in weight, as different fruits and different vegetables are denser than others, and because some fruit and vegetables weigh more on their own than others, a bushel can weigh anywhere between 30 pounds and 60 pounds. Generally, however, a bushel weighs 60 pounds, including a bushel of green beans.
Cost of Buying a Bushel of Green Beans
Depending on factors like the type of green bean you choose to purchase, where you live, and whether or not green beans are in season, the cost of purchasing a whole bushel of green beans can cost somewhere between $15 and $25. A pound of green beans costs an average of $3.15, although they can cost as little as $1 per pound during the harvesting season.
You’ll find that fresh green beans are at their cheapest when you purchase them just after the prime harvesting months of their season (November and December), in a state where green beans are harvested, and in what processing form you buy them in.
Generally, pre-canned green beans are going to cost less than fresh green beans, especially if you live outside of a state that harvests them. The states that often grow and harvest green beans include Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Michigan, Oregon, Georgia, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and North Carolina. If you live in or near one of these states, it’s also going to be much cheaper to purchase fresh green beans from your local farmer’s market than your grocery store.
When to Purchase a Bushel of Green Beans
Green beans, especially fresh green beans, are going to be more available while they’re in season between May and October. They will generally cost less during this time of year too, and in November and December, they will be at their freshest, as this is generally when green beans are processed and then shipped off to marketplaces to be sold. They won’t be quite as fresh during other times of the year.
If you just need a small portion of green beans for dinner, you won’t need a full bushel of green beans. Instead, you’ll want to buy a peck of green beans. If you have a large family or host large gatherings often and cook with green beans frequently, purchasing a bushel is a great idea. Generally, purchasing green beans in bulk means you are also buying them fresh, so you will need to store them properly to make them last for a long time.
This includes proper processing, canning, and storing of the beans. But, if you plan to use the whole portion of green beans quickly, you won’t have to worry about storing or canning them.
How Many Quarts are in a Peck of Green Beans?
A peck is a smaller unit of measurement for produce than a bushel. A bushel is equal to four pecks, so a peck is about one-fourth of a bushel. One peck is equal to 8 quarts, which is equal to about 2 gallons. Because weight density varies by the type of product you are measuring, a peck can weigh anywhere between 12 and 14 pounds, but you can assume that a peck of green beans is going to weigh about 14 pounds.
A peck is great for smaller families or smaller meal gatherings, but a peck is still a good amount of green beans. It won’t take you quite as long to can this amount of green beans, but it will still take a good amount of your day. A peck of green beans will also cost less than a full bushel, so to save money, consider whether a peck of green beans will fit your needs.
Processing, Canning, and Storing Green Beans
If you purchase a bushel (or a peck) of fresh green beans, you’ll likely want to process and can them for storage if you aren’t planning to use all of them in the next few days. Fresh green beans generally last for about 7 days in a plastic bag or Tupperware container in the refrigerator, but it’s likely that you won’t use up a full bushel in one week.
To make your green beans last longer than a week, store them by canning them in mason jars. You’ll start by cutting them up into bite-sized pieces, dividing them into mason jars, then pouring boiling water into the jars and adding salt, closing the lid tightly, and then using a pressure canner to pressure them for 25 minutes at a 10-pound pressure.
Whether you can the green beans yourself or purchase them pre-canned, they will last somewhere between 2 to 5 years, with their taste changing over an extended period of time. If you can them yourself, make sure you mark the date that you canned them by writing it on the top lid or on a sticker label. Pay attention to this date or the expiration date of pre-canned green beans before cooking to ensure that they will taste good when you start eating them.