Comments on: How to Soak Dried Beans: Your Questions Answered

By: Jerry Siegel

Jerry Siegel — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:12:49 +0000

America’s Test Kitchen recommends soaking beans overnight in salted water, then rinsing them before cooking. Their test shows that helps keep the skins intact and the insides creamy. They also cook the beans in a dutch oven in the oven rather than on the stove top.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:38:40 +0000

Great article on soaking beans. I’m a huge fan of getting the beans in bulk dried. I make a bean soup that requires about 9 cans of beans (I know… i love black beans), but when using bags of dried beans, I only need to bags which are like just over a buck a piece.

My problem is that the beans seem to have little or no flavor. It may be the brand, but I’ve tried a couple different kinds and they seem to have the same result. It doesn’t really matter for my soup because the soup is loaded with seasoning and spices, but when it comes to salads, the beans are a little tasteless. Any suggestions on how to season beans either during or after soaking?

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 00:06:24 +0000

An economic way to cook beans in our household is to cook them on our wood stove. It is an energy source already in use, and saves on electricity costs…why pay twice when you don’t have to.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:08:20 +0000

I think one little piece of information was forgotten when looking at the cost ratio.
For the example you gave, 19 oz canned and 19 oz dried… You said the dried beans will expand 2 1/2 times the amount with soaking. The canned beans have already bean soaked and expanded.

So really, the dried beans = X 2.5 = 2.5
and the canned beans = 1 / 2.5 = 0.4

So, if I’m doing my math correct, the dried beans are 6.25 times cheaper than the canned beans.

By: Fox

Fox — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:24:27 +0000

@Split bean I don’t have any experience with borlotti beans. But I do soak pintos with excellent results. I would suggest soaking them in cold water for at least 8 hours, then drain and rinse. Are you soaking them in warm or previously boiled water using a quick soak method? If so, then stick to colder water. Hope this helps!

By: Split bean

Split bean — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:53:54 +0000

I am having terrible trouble with borlotti beans splitting whilst soaking. Result is a terrible mush when I go on to cook them. Any clues?

By: kajn granny

kajn granny — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:40:22 +0000

I pour boiling water over my beans to cover them by a couple of inches, let them soak for three or four hours, then pour off the soaking water. I pour fresh water over them and cook them until they’re tender–and I don’t have gas from them. I avoid canned beans as much as possible; one little can of pork and beans give me enough gas to heat a large city for two weeks (and even I can’t stand the smell!).

By: hidi hadia

hidi hadia — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:04:10 +0000

I K I HAVE BEEN DOING THE DRY BEAN THING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND LOVE IT..BUT RECENTLY ( A WEEK AND ONE DAY ago) i soaked a big bunch of beans for a friend who never ate them..northern beans…o k they have been in the fridge now for a week…wondering what to do ..read a site on natto…and wondering if i could do something like it with my beans

By: Value For Your Life

Value For Your Life — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:18:26 +0000

I’ve been thinking about switching from canned beans to dried for a long time since we eat so many of them…your posts may have finally helped me overcome my laziness. I stock up when canned beans are on sale for $0.59 or less, but I’m always looking for ideas…maybe this will help to counter some of the grocery prices that are gradually creeping up! Amanda

By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:17:26 +0000

I’ve been told that adding a teaspoon of baking soda will have the same effect.

Actually, Julia Child says that if you drain off the soaking water and rinse the beans before cooking them, you’ll reduce the gassification potential. I’ve found this to be true…but who knows, it could be the power of suggestion.