How to Cook Dried Beans
Beans are a fantastic, versatile, and affordable source of protein and fiber that we can add to our diet! They make a great addition to soups, salads, or even by themselves as a simple side. While purchasing canned beans is convenient, with a little extra planning, dried beans are an even more efficient way to stretch your food dollars. In just a few simple steps, you can have a large pot of beans ready to be added to any recipe you choose!
Dried Bean Preparation:
- Sort
Sort through the beans to remove any faded or discolored beans.
- Rinse
Place the beans in a colander and rinse them under cold water.
- Soak
Soak the beans using one of the two methods listed below:
Quick Soak
1.) Place beans in a large pot
2.) Add 10 cups of water for each point (about 3 cups) of dry beans
3.) Heat to boiling, then boil for 5-10 minutes
4.) Remove from heat, cover and soak for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours
Overnight Soak
1.) Place dry beans in a large container
2.) Add 10 cups of water for each pound (about 3 cups) of dry beans
3.) Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight - Rinse Again
After soaking the beans, rinse them again in a colander before cooking.
- Time to Cook!
Follow the next four steps to cook your dried beans after rinsing and soaking the beans. The cook time may vary slightly for different types of beans, but it will typically take about 1 to 2 hours. See the chart below for a guide on how long to cook other types of beans. Please note that 1 cup of dried beans yields about 2.5 to 3 cups of cooked beans.
How to Cook Beans
1.) Place beans in a large pot
2.) Cover the beans with fresh water and bring to a boil
3.) Reduce heat to simmer and cover; you may have to add water periodically
4.) Allow to cook for about 45 minutes; test for desired tenderness and continue cooking if needed
Bean Cook Times:
| Black Beans | 60-90 minutes |
| Black-Eyed Peas | 30-60 minutes |
| Dark Red Kidney Beans | 90-120 minutes |
| Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) | 60-90 minutes |
| Great Northern Beans | 45-60 minutes |
| Light Red Kidney Beans | 60-90 minutes |
| Navy Beans | 90-120 minutes |
| Pink Beans | 60 minutes |
| Pinto Beans | 90-120 minutes |
| Small Red Beans | 60-90 minutes |
Summary:
While the steps required to prepare dried beans are a little more time-consuming, the results are worth the wait! To save time, make a large batch of beans and incorporate them into different meals throughout the week. For example, if you make black beans for chili, use the beans again for fajitas or hearty egg burritos! See more links below for recipes that incorporate a variety of other dried beans.
