Once you know how to cook dried beans, you'll always have them on hand. They're cheap, nutritious, easy to make, and - most importantly - delicious! Show
Canned beans are convenient, but in terms of affordability, taste, and texture, dried beans have them beat. If you’ve never cooked dried beans before, don’t let it intimidate you! My method for how to cook beans is an easy, hands-off process with a huge payoff. They come out soft and creamy, with a rich, aromatic broth surrounding them. Hot from the stove with a ladle of cooking liquid, they’re good enough to enjoy as a meal on their own! Of course, you can also use dried beans anytime you’d use canned – in bowls, soups, tacos, and more. Cook a big batch and freeze them to have on hand. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself later!
Cooking dried beans is easy! Here’s what you need to do:
When the beans are tender, season to taste and remove them from the heat. Store the beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze them for several months! And for the full recipe, see below. Cooking Dried Beans – ExceptionsI use this method for cooking dried beans for almost every bean variety: black beans, pinto beans, cannellini, kidney, cranberry, and more. However, there are a few exceptions to the rule:
Seasoning Dried BeansDried beans cooked with sea salt and water are delicious, but adding an onion, garlic, or other aromatics to the pot will make them even more flavorful! These simple additions turn the starchy bean cooking liquid into a fragrant broth that’s just as tasty as the beans themselves. Here are a few of my favorite aromatics:
Add one or more aromatics when you add the salt, 30 minutes into the bean cooking process. When the beans are tender, remove and discard any add-ins before you eat. Let me know what variations you try!
More Pantry BasicsLoved learning how to cook beans? Try cooking one of these pantry staples next:
Then, find 30+ pantry-friendly recipes here! How to Cook BeansPrep Time: 8 hrs Cook Time: 2 hrs Serves 8 to 12 (makes 6 cups) Learn how to cook dried beans on the stove! Simmer them with water and salt, or add aromatics to the pot for extra flavor.
optional aromatics:
For black beans, white beans, red beans, garbanzo beans:
For adzuki beans:
For split peas:
How do you cook beans on the stove quickly?Cover the beans with water in a large pot, bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, set aside for at least an hour. When you're ready to cook the beans, drain and rinse, put back into a pot, cover with water again, add salt and garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook for 40 minutes.
How do you cook without a pressure cooker?Crock-pots, steamers, microwaves, or conventional cookers can all be used instead of a pressure cooker. So, what is the best substitute for a pressure cooker? The best substitute for a pressure cooker is a slow cooker (such as a Crock-Pot).
HOW DO YOU CAN dried beans without a pressure cooker?Many folks (including myself) have had good luck with simply soaking the beans overnight, rinsing, and then placing them straight into the jars. Fill the jars with boiling water (leaving 1″ headspace) and then proceed with the canning. This eliminates the hassle of boiling and results in slightly firmer beans.
Why beans should be pressure cooked?Pressure Cooking Beans From Soaked
Reduces indigestible sugars by over 75%. Removes a majority of the anti-nutrients, allowing the digestive process to absorb more iron, for example. The beans cook evenly. They're nice to look at and also eat, because they're evenly cooked so no more crunchy beans.
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