Bean Soaking and Cooking Methods
There are three different ways to soak beans. Each way will produce deliciously tender beans without the intestinal discomfort. Try each method to see if you prefer one over the other!
Hot Soaking Method
Some consider the hot-soak method to offer the best of both — shorter soaking and cooking time.
- Empty the dry beans into a bowl and discard any discolored or shriveled beans.
- Place beans into a large pot and add 10 cups of water for every pound (2 cups) of beans.
- Heat to boiling and boil for a total of 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat, cover, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours.
- After a four-hour rest period, drain and gently rinse the beans under cool water. They are now ready for cooking!
Bean Cooking Basics
Once beans have completed the soaking process, they’re ready to be cooked. Like other foods, there are multiple ways to cook them, including on the stovetop or in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.
More Bean Cooking Tips
Beans aren’t nearly as complicated as most people think. Just soak, cook, and they’re ready to go! However, if you’ve only cooked with canned beans in the past, there are a few other tips and tricks that we’d like to share with you.
- One pound of dry beans makes about five cups (three cans) of cooked beans.
- If you’re going to be using beans in soup, you might want to undercook them slightly and then finish them off in the soup.
- If you have hard water, we suggest adding a ⅛ tsp of baking soda to your soaking water for every cup of beans. Hard water can affect the texture of your beans if you don’t do this.
- Add acidic foods such as lemon juice, tomatoes, wine, or vinegar after the beans are cooked. Adding them beforehand can inhibit tenderness.
- Use the nutrient-packed cooking liquid from your beans to make a soup or quick sauce.
Buy Quality Beans Grown Close To Home
Now that you know how easy soaking and cooking beans can be, let 21st Century Bean be your provider of choice. The dried beans that you buy at the store have often spent months or even years in warehouses and on store shelves before they make it to your home. If you want a better bean that’s grown on American soil, choose 21st Century Bean.