Cooking dry beans is easy, but there are a few different ways to do it, so we’re going to show you all of them!
Beans, the magical fruit. The more you cook them, the more health benefits you’ll unlock!
They are a great source of protein and fiber, and they’re perfect for lunch and dinner meal prep – in salads, soups, and Mexican foods.
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How To Cook Dried Beans – The Basics: What Is A Dry Bean?
A dry bean is simply a bean that has been harvested and then dried, usually in the sun. They can be stored for a long time, which makes them a good staple to have in your pantry.
They are different from pressure cooker green beans, which are harvested while they are still immature and then cooked. Dried beans, on the other hand, are harvested when they are fully mature and then dried.
Reasons Why Cooking Dried Beans Is Great
- Inexpensive Meal Option
Dried beans are an inexpensive option for a healthy meal. Especially now that the prices are getting higher and higher, we need to be more mindful of what we’re spending our money on.
They are a great way to get your protein and fiber without breaking the bank. You can buy a bag for around $2 which will be enough for 3 or 4 meals. That’s only about $0.50 per meal! - Nutritious and Healthy
Not only are dried beans an inexpensive option but they’re also packed with nutrients. They are a great source of protein and fiber, and they contain essential vitamins and minerals.
Cooking them is a great way to get all the benefits of it without having to eat them every day. You can cook them once and then use them in different recipes throughout the week. - Perfect for Meal Prep
Once you learn how to cook dried beans, you will have many uses for them, including easier meal prep. You can cook a big batch of the legumes at the beginning of the week and then use them in different recipes throughout the week. This is a great way to save time and money!
There are so many different ways to use it in recipes. You can add them to salads, soups, stews, how to cook jasmine rice in instant pot, and more.
Ways To Cook
You can cook them in a pot on the stove, in a slow cooker, or even in an Instant Pot. There are also a lot of different ways to flavor them. You can add spices, herbs, or even vegetables.
The best way to cook dried beans is going to depend on what you’re making and how you want to flavor them. We’ve outlined a few different ways to cook them below.
Dry VS Canned
There are a few different things to consider when deciding whether to cook or use canned beans.
Dried beans are more nutritious because they haven’t been processed. They’re also going to be less expensive.
Canned beans are more convenient because you don’t have to cook them, but they’re more expensive and not as nutritious.
Dry are better because you can control the flavor more. When you cook them, you can add whatever spices or herbs you want. With canned, you are stuck with the flavors that are already in there.
You can also control the texture more when you cook dried beans. If you want them to be softer, you can cook them longer. To be firmer, you can cook them for less time.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy meal option, then canned beans are going to be the best choice.
But if you’re looking for a more frugal, nutritious, and flavorful option, then cooking dried beans is the better choice.
Do You Need To Soak Before Cooking?
There are some benefits to soaking beans before cooking.
- Reduced cooking time.
According to the USDA, beans that have been soaked in water for at least five hours will cook in about half the time as those that have not been soaked. - Easier to digest.
Soaking it can also help to reduce gas and bloating. All legumes, including beans, contain a compound called oligosaccharides, which is a type of carbohydrate that the body cannot break down.
Soaking helps to break down the oligosaccharides, which makes them easier to digest.
If you’re cooking on the stove, you’ll need to soak them for at least eight hours. If you’re using a slow cooker or an Instant Pot, you can get away with soaking them for shorter periods of time.
How To Soak
There are a few different ways to soak dried beans. You can do a quick soak, which is done by boiling them for two minutes and then letting them soak for an hour.
Or you can do a longer soak, which is done by soaking them overnight.
Quick Soaking
To do a quick soak, bring a pot of water to a boil, and then add the beans. Boil for two minutes and then remove from heat. Let them soak for an hour before draining and cooking.
Overnight Soaking
To do a long soak, add them to a pot of cold water and let them soak overnight. In the morning, drain them and cook them according to your recipe.
Can you oversoak beans?
It is possible to oversoak it, and doing so results in beans that are mushy. So, if you’re going to soak them overnight, be sure to drain them first thing in the morning, just before cooking them.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Keep in mind that soaking for too long can also cause them to lose nutrients. So, if you soak your beans, be sure to do it for the minimum amount of time that’s required.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you do need to cook before adding them to a recipe. Dried beans are raw and not edible.
Some types of dried beans contain toxins called saponins, and they can cause digestive issues.
Rinsing removes the toxins, as well as any dirt or debris. Place them in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water before cooking.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to cook them, then the Instant Pot is a great choice.
If you’re looking for a more hands-off approach, then the slow cooker is a good option. And lastly, if you want more control over how the beans are cooked, then stovetop cooking is the way to go.
Beans Cooking Time
The cooking time for different types varies depending on the type of bean and method of cooking. Let’s take a look at the cooking times for each type of pre-soaked bean:
Stovetop
- Pinto: 90-120 minutes
- Navy: 90-120 minutes
- Great northern: 45-60 minutes
- Kidney: 90-120 minutes
- Black: 60-90 minutes
- Calico or garbanzo (chickpeas): 120-180 minutes
- Lima (butter): 60-90 minutes
Instant Pot
- Pinto: 20-25 minutes
- Navy: 20-25 minutes
- Great northern: 10-15 minutes
- Kidney: 20-30 minutes
- Black: 20-30 minutes
- Calico or garbanzo (chickpeas): 25 minutes
- Lima (butter): 25 minutes
Slow Cooker
- Pinto: 4-6 hours
- Navy: 6-8 hours
- Great northern: 4-6 hours
- Red kidney: Not recommended (Slow Cooking Kidney beans is dangerous)
- Black: 3-4 hours
- Calico or garbanzo (chickpeas): 6-8 hours
- Lima (butter): 3 hours
How To Cook Dried Beans On Stovetop
Cooking dried beans on a stovetop is the most common way to cook them. It’s also the easiest method because all you need is a pot and some water.
Add them to a large pot of water or broth and bring them to a boil according to the cooking time above.
Reduce the heat and let it simmer. Then, drain and add them to your recipe.
Try making our calico beans recipe!
How To Cook Dried Beans In Instant Pot
If you’re short on time, cooking in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a great option. You can have cooked beans in about an hour, which is much faster than cooking them on the stove.
Add them to the Instant Pot, then add enough water or broth to cover it, and then set the cooker on high pressure.
Let it cook according to cooking time, or until they’re soft. Once they’re done, you can use them in any recipe you like.
How To Cook Dried Beans In A Slow Cooker
Cooking dried beans in a slow cooker is another easy method. It’s perfect if you’re cooking a large batch because you can set it and forget it.
Add them to the slow cooker, then add enough broth or water to cover it, and then set the cooker on low.
Let them cook according to the cooking time above, or until they’re soft. Once they’re done, you can use them in any recipe you like. Try adding them to salads, soups, or Mexican dishes.
Variations and Add-ins
- Add flavor and taste to your beans by cooking them with other ingredients and aromatics like onions, garlic, bay leaves, celery, thyme, rosemary, and herbs.
- Try adding a can of diced tomatoes, green chilies, and cumin for a flavorful Mexican-inspired dish.
- If you want to make it more of a meal, then try cooking them with sausage, bacon, chicken, or ground beef.
- Add some spice to your beans by adding cayenne pepper, chili powder, or hot sauce.
- Make them into a soup by adding broth and vegetables like carrots, plus salt and black pepper.
- You can also add it to different recipes. Try adding them to soups, stews, salads, or rice dishes.
How To Store
Cooked dried beans can be stored in the fridge for up to four days or in the freezer for up to six months. Be sure to store them in an airtight container so they don’t dry out.
When you’re ready to use them, thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then, add them to your recipe and enjoy!
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