Recrystallization behaviors of cold-worked and β -quenched Zr-Zn alloys were investigated by the microhardness tests and microscopic examinations. The recrystallization of the β -quenched alloys was retarded in comparison with that of the cold-worked alloys, suggesting that the stored energy of the cold-worked alloys is larger than that of the β -quenched alloys. Although initial hardness for the cold-worked and the β -quenched specimens had an equal value, the recrystallization behaviors were observed to be quite different. Based on the transmission electron microscope(TEM) studies, it was suggested that the recrystallization of the cold-worked specimen would have occurred by subgrain coalescence while that of β -quenched specimen by strain-induced grain boundary migration.