Soaking and Cooking Beans

Dried beans are inexpensive, versatile, and easy to prepare. Learn how to make beans in just a few simple steps from the experts at 21st Century Bean.

Once You Try Them, You’ll Never Go Back To Canned!

Most people buy canned beans because they think cooking them from scratch is too hard, takes too long, or just isn’t worth the hassle. On the contrary, we think that once you learn how to soak and cook dried beans, you’ll never want to buy canned again — especially if you buy fresh, high-quality dried beans directly from the farmers who grow them.

Doing the cooking yourself puts you in control of the type of beans you use, as well as the taste, texture, and sodium content. This allows you to create something truly delicious and unlike anything you’ll get out of a can. Just substitute a heaping 1/2 cup of dry beans (about 1 1/4 cup cooked) for a can of beans in your recipe. Plus, dried beans only cost about a third of what canned beans cost — and who couldn’t use a little extra cash in their pocket?

If you like the idea of making beans from scratch but need something that’s quick and easy to put together, especially on weeknights, we get it — and there’s an easy fix for that. Simply make a big batch on the weekend and freeze the extras to use throughout the week. You can even put frozen beans directly into soups and smoothies for an easy punch of extra protein.

Benefits of Buying Dried Beans From 21st Century Bean:

  • Grown and packaged in America
  • Support local farmers
  • More variety than what you’ll find at most stores
  • Less expensive than buying canned
  • Less sodium than standard canned beans
  • Fresher, better beans that haven’t spent months on the store shelf
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Gluten-Free

Non-GMO

Locally Grown

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!

Traditional Soaking Method

The soaking method that most people have used throughout bean history is the one that requires you to cover the beans in cool water and leave them to sit overnight. Here’s how the process works:

  1. Empty the dry beans into a bowl and discard any discolored or shriveled beans.
  2. Place beans into a large bowl or pot and cover with water. It is suggested that you use 10 cups of water for every pound of beans.
  3. Leave beans out on the counter for at least 8 hours.
  4. After soaking, gently drain and rinse the beans. They are now ready for cooking!
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Quick Soaking Method

The quick soak method is the fastest one, but you may have to cook your beans longer when you’re ready to prepare them. Still, many people like the fact that they can start the cooking process with just over an hour of soaking.

  1. Empty the dry beans into a bowl and discard any discolored or shriveled beans.
  2. Place beans into a large pot and add 6 cups of water for every pound (2 cups) of beans.
  3. Heat to boiling and boil for a total of 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
  5. After an hour has passed, drain and gently rinse the beans under cool water. They are now ready for cooking!

Hot Soaking Method

Some consider the hot-soak method to offer the best of both — shorter soaking and cooking time.

  1. Empty the dry beans into a bowl and discard any discolored or shriveled beans.
  2. Place beans into a large pot and add 10 cups of water for every pound (2 cups) of beans.
  3. Heat to boiling and boil for a total of 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand at room temperature for 4 hours.
  5. After a four-hour rest period, drain and gently rinse the beans under cool water. They are now ready for cooking!
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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.

Place beans in a large pot. Cover with fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until tender. Add more water if necessary to keep beans covered at all times. Cook time will range from 30 minutes to two hours depending on the type of bean.

Suggested cook times:

Black beans: 60-90 min
Great Northern: 45-60 min
Kidney beans: 90-120 min
Navy beans: 90-120 min
Pinto beans: 90-120 min

Place beans in a slow cooker. Cover with enough water so that it’s about two inches above the beans. Add seasonings if desired. Cook on low for four to eight hours checking frequently for desired doneness.

Suggested cook times:

Black beans: 6-8 hours
Great Northern: 5-6 hours
Kidney beans: 6-8 hours
Garbanzo beans: 5-6 hours
Pinto beans: 7-9 hours

Place beans in a pressure cooker. Cover with enough water so that it’s about two inches above the beans. Add seasonings if desired and then cook according to the manufacturer's instructions. If beans are not tender enough, cook them for an additional 10 minutes.

Suggested cook times:

Black beans: 20-30 min
Kidney beans: 20-30 min
Navy beans: 25-35 min
Pinto beans: 15-20 min
Garbanzo beans: 25-30 min

Chef Ali Dry Bean Instructions

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 Dried Beans Direct From the Farm

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.