• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • recipes
  • drink
  • dining out

The Delicious Life logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • drink
  • dining out
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • drink
    • dining out
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » cooking » How to Soak and Cook Dried Beans {how-to}

    December 2011 cooking

    How to Soak and Cook Dried Beans {how-to}

    The only solution to "I can't blog" ...

    Is to fucking blog.

    Even if I just post a single photo.
    Even if I just post a trainwreck of thoughts.
    Even if I just post a 10,000 word incomprehensible, nonsensical rant about nothing.

    I am going to post every day (for the rest of) this month.

    If it kills me.

    Dried White Cannellini Beans

    Dried White Cannellini Beans
    I probably should have read the entire paragraph on soaking dried beans in The Joy of Cooking (75th Anniversary edition!). At least the part that says "in 3 to 4 times as much water."

    Then I wouldn't have ended up with a measuring cup almost overflowing with half-soaked beans, tragically disfigured by the slow expansion of their collective beany flesh into a space entirely too small for them. I played a long, tiring game of Operation with a pair of chopsticks to pull each packed bean out of the cup without compromising its existence.

    The beans reconstituted to their full, perfectly bean-figured forms after an additional soak in the correct amount of water.

    Dried beans were an experiment in two things for me.

    Would I have the patience to soak dried beans? (Yes.)

    Aaand I forget the second one.

    Size Difference, Dried Bean vs. Soaked Beans

    Dried Beans: size difference between dried and soaked

    How To Soak and Cook Dried Beans

    from The Joy of Cooking, page 253

    Ingredients

    dried beans
    water

    Directions

    Soak dried bans overnight in 3 to 4 times as much water as beans. Remove any that float.

    If time does not allow for soaking, use the Quick Soak Method

    Quick Soak Method

    Cover beans with cold water in a large saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, tightly covered, 1 hour. Before cooking, drain and discard the soaking liquid.

    To Cook Dried Beans

    Bring them just to a boil in water to cover generously, Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until tender.

    Cooking Times and Additional Tips:

    • Chickpeas are usually the toughest of the lot and may take up to 3 hours simmering.
    • Dried limas, after soaking, and lentils, which don't require soaking, may cook in as little as 30 minutes.
    • 1 cup of dried beans, peas, or lentils will expand to 2 to 2½ cups after cooking.
    • Do not add tomatoes, citrus, vinegar, molasses, or any other acidic ingredients until near the end, after the beans are tender; acid, like salt, prevents the beans from softening.

    Using Canned Beans:

    • Canned beans can be substituted in recipes that call for cooked beans, though they may be softer and less flavorful.
    • Since brands vary in quality, it is worth comparing different ones.
    • Rinsing canned beans may improve the taste and remove excess salt. Put the beans in a colander and run cold water over them, then drain well.
    • For 2 cups cooked beans, you will need a 19- to 20-ounce can. Fifteen or 16-ounce cand hold 1½ to 1¾ cups of beans.

    You May Also Like...

    • Tuscan Beans {recipe} - Slow Cooked, Fast
      Tuscan Beans {recipe} - Slow Cooked, Fast
    • Tuna + Cannellini Beans + Parsley Salad
      Tuna + Cannellini Beans + Parsley Salad
    • How to Cook Black Beans and Huevos Rancheros
      How to Cook Black Beans and Huevos Rancheros
    « Tuscan Beans {recipe} - Slow Cooked, Fast
    Herbed Brown Rice Inspired by April Bloomfield {recipe} - This Isn't Meant to be Racial »

    Sharing is caring!

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lilly says

      December 07, 2011 at 5:29 pm

      I have had this incessant mantra... "I can't blog" in my head for months. I am inspired and changing my mantra to "just fucking blog." Thanks. 

      Reply
    2. Sarah says

      December 08, 2011 at 12:01 am

      I truly enjoy reading your posts and yes your almost corrosive self analysis as well. The 'white page syndrome'  - literally and metaphorically - does hit us from time to time. But I think you've found the solution to it! :)  

      Have a beautiful day! 

      Reply
    3. sevimel says

      December 08, 2011 at 8:36 am

      J.F.B.  Good thing I wasn't sipping coffee when I read that or it would have spewed all over the screen!  Loved it! 

      Reply
    4. saraht says

      December 08, 2011 at 9:15 am

      Yes. To everything you said. The self-edit it a useless tool. 

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published.

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Follow Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter

    if you shop on Amazon starting from here, TDL gets a teeny tiny affiliate commission!

    just a regular ol' ad

    Recent Posts

    quinoa tabbouleh with kale and cherries

    Quinoa Tabbouleh recipe with Kale and Cherries

    Latkes and Smoked Salmon Platter Recipe

    Cranberry, White Cheddar, Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich Recipe

    pomegranate salsa in glass bowl with poemgranate seeds and lemon wedges on side

    Pomegranate Salsa [recipe]

    Copyright © 2022 · The Delicious Life