• Home
  • About
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Contact
  • Activities for Kids
    • Alphabet Preschool Activities
    • Sunday School Crafts
  • DIY
  • Recipes
    • Gardening
    • Home Management
    • Natural Living
    • Parenting
  • Encouragement
    • Bible Reading Plans

Blessings Overflowing

Faith~Family~Creativity

May 14, 2020 By Jackie 5 Comments

How to Cook Dried Beans

This post was originally published on September 28, 2011. It was updated on May 14, 2020.

Knowing how to cook dried beans can save you money. Dried beans cost about one third of the price of canned beans, and they have much less sodium. Here’s what you need to know to cook dried beans.

Beans are high in protein, iron, fiber, and antioxidants. They definitely deserve a place in our diet. Even though they are healthy and inexpensive, many people are reluctant to cook dried beans.

I used to think there was some great mystery to cooking dry beans or that it was too hard. I also thought it required too much planning in order to cook them.

After cooking with dried beans, I realized that it isn’t difficult. The method I use is very simple.

There is some debate about whether it is necessary to soak beans before cooking them. If you don’t want to soak your beans, you don’t have to.

However, I always soak beans before cooking them because it not only speeds up the cooking process, but I think it helps break down the phytic acid in beans, especially when you add vinegar or lemon juice while they soak.

I use my crockpot because it makes this process pretty hands off. I often cook beans overnight, drain them in the morning, and then freeze them in 1 1/2 to 2 cup increments for later use.

How to Cook Dried Beans

  1. Rinse beans.
  2. Place beans in a large pot or crock pot and cover with water.
  3. Add 1 Tbsp. vinegar or lemon juice per pound of beans.
  4. Soak beans at least 12 hours.
  5. Drain beans.
  6. Place beans in a crockpot and cover with water.
  7. Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours.
  8. Drain beans.

Step 5 is when you could use the beans to make bean soup or some other recipe that requires other ingredients to be cooked with the beans.

After step 8, you can use the beans to make recipes like baked beans or refried beans (see below). This black bean brownie recipe is a favorite of ours, and I have used it several times with black beans I have frozen.

If you don’t want to use a crockpot, you can cook the beans on the stove top until they are tender. Many people also like to cook beans in a pressure cooker. I prefer my crockpot because I don’t have to babysit the beans while they are cooking.

In step 3, I instructed you to add vinegar or lemon juice.  This is so that the phytic acid in the beans can be broken down.  This makes the beans easier to digest and helps release the nutrients that are locked inside the beans.

Freezing Beans

Once you have cooked your beans you can bag them up and stick them in the freezer for future meals.  The bags above each have 2 cups of pinto beans in them. 1 1/2 cups of cooked beans are equal to one regular sized can of beans.

From one pound of dried beans, you can get approximately six to seven cans worth of beans.

Easy Refried Beans

Another way to use dry beans is to make your own refried beans. Amy from The Finer Things in Life has a great recipe for Brown Bag Burritos.  Back in 2010, I asked her how she made her own refried beans. She said she didn’t really have a recipe, but gave me these instructions. (Amy, I hope you don’t mind me quoting you.)

Heat a big skillet, add some canola oil.  Drop the beans in and smoosh them up with a potato masher, adding water as I go.  Add garlic, onion powder, cumin, whatever seasonings you like.  Keep smooshing and adding water until you get the consistency you want. Amy @ The Finer Things in Life

Refried Beans

This was a very easy way to make refried beans and I am glad Amy shared her “recipe” with me.

Cooking beans from scratch allows me to control how they are cooked and what ingredients are added, unlike buying canned beans. Not only are beans cooked from scratch nutritionally superior, but the are also a money-saver.

Cooking dried beans and freezing them is also a great way to save time during meal prep. I also freeze cooked ground beef and vegetables like chopped onions and chopped celery to save time in the kitchen.

What is your favorite way to eat beans?

signature

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Beans

« 31 Encouraging Bible Verses (May Bible Reading Plan)

Looking for Something?

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe for Email Updates

Follow Me on Instagram

jackiesblessings

I really needed today. This month has been very bu I really needed today. This month has been very busy, and an e-learning/snow day was much appreciated by everyone in my house. Joseph, Janna, and I had so much fun playing in the snow this afternoon. Here are a few pictures of our adventures. (Janna is wearing a coat my mom made for me nearly 40 years ago.)
I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that h I have mixed emotions when I reflect on all that has happened in 2020. There have been so many negatives for so many people. I can’t say it has all been positive for me either. However, there are some things that have happened in 2020 for which I am so grateful. 
.
The main thing I am grateful for is the extra time I was able to spend with my kids. We had so much fun during quarantine and this summer. I know this wasn’t the case for everyone, but I do not regret the days when we had nothing planned and could just have fun together. Whether it was walking in the woods, playing games, watching a movie together, or even doing chores, I never once heard an “I’m bored.” 🙂 
.
In addition to the gift of more time together, I am also grateful for all of the milestones we have celebrated this year. In June, my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary, and then we had four milestone birthdays. Julia turned 21, James turned 18, Joshua turned 16, and Joseph turned 13. (Janna felt left out, so we told her that her birthday was special because it was her last birthday in single digits.) Also, today marks 25 years that JT and I have been married. 
.
While I won’t be sorry to see 2020 go, and I hope
and pray 2021 is better for so many people who are hurting right now, I don’t ever want to forget the good times we had this year. 
.
P.S. I took all of these pictures over fall break.
The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual The girls and I recorded our parts for our virtual church service yesterday, and I couldn’t resist getting a picture with them in front of this beautiful Christmas tree. ❤️
James has been playing school basketball since he James has been playing school basketball since he was in the fourth grade. Tonight he and his fellow Seniors  were recognized at their game, and I just can’t believe James is this old. 
.
Normally, Senior Night is the last game of the season. However,  because everything in the world seems so uncertain right now, we wanted to make sure the boys got a chance to be recognized. We wanted something “normal” for them. I am thankful James and his teammates not only got recognized but also won their game. 
.
P.S. We had our masks on at all times other than when we took pictures.
We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is t We have another teenager in the house! Joseph is turning 13 today, and it just doesn’t seem possible. The beautiful baby boy who was placed in my arms on a cold and foggy day in December is still my “little” guy. However, after looking at this picture of the two of us, I don’t think he will be shorter than me for long. Joseph is still my shy guy, but he is also sweet, loving, kind, and just an all around good kid. We also lovingly refer to him as the cat whisperer because the kittens and cats follow him around like puppies. 🙂 It has been so much fun to have Joseph at school with me this year now that he is in junior high, and I am so thankful that I get to be his mama. Happy birthday, Joseph! ❤️
2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of 2020 has been challenging in so many ways. One of those challenges was self-inflicted. 🙂 I just finished my fourth master’s level course of 2020 through Ball State, and I passed the high ability licensure exam last Thursday. This means that I will soon have high ability added to my teaching license. 
.
When I signed up to take my first class in January, I had no idea what 2020 was going to entail. Teaching in a pandemic isn’t for the faint of heart. Taking classes and caring for five kids while teaching in a pandemic has allowed me to see what I am really made of. I don’t mean to brag, but I am pretty happy that I received straight A’s. Beyond that, I learned so much, and I am grateful for this opportunity even though I felt stretched to my limits some days. 
.
Yes, 2020 has been challenging, but I have been blessed with more time with my family, knowledge gained, and challenges met and overcome.
I almost forgot to post this here. 🎂 Joshua is I almost forgot to post this here. 
🎂
Joshua is 16 years old today. It doesn’t seem possible that my little pip squeak of a baby boy is now about 6’4”. Joshua is now the tallest of the family, and I’m not sure he is done growing. There hasn’t been a dull moment since Joshua arrived, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. He is a fun-loving, hard-working, kind-hearted, and intelligent young man. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. I am so thankful God thought I was up to the task of being Joshua’s mama. ❤️
My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t c My little 7 pound 20 inch baby boy, who didn’t cry as soon as he was born but first looked around to see what was going on in the world, is now a 6’2” handsome man. I truly never thought the years would go by so quickly, but here we are. James is 18 today. 

There are so many words I could use to describe James: hardworking, dedicated, persevering, intelligent, funny, curious, kindhearted, dependable, respectful, and helpful. I could also expound upon his accomplishments, and I could tell you how great he is. However, I don’t love James for what he has accomplished but simply because he is my son.

I have been so blessed to be James’s mom, and I thank God every day for entrusting him into my care. I don’t know what the future will hold for him, but I know he will do great things. 

For anyone reading this who is struggling with a tantrum throwing toddler, a strong-willed child, and/or a child who questions everything, I would like to encourage you. Look for the positive qualities your child possesses such as perseverance, dedication, and curiosity and build upon that. I will never regret the hard days of parenting because my prayers and hard work have paid off. Helping James reach his full potential and keep those qualities without breaking his spirit has been worth the effort.

Happy Birthday, James!
I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed sur I’m not going to sugar coat it. Today seemed surreal. It felt chaotic. Nothing was normal. We are all exhausted. However, it was wonderful to be with my students again after five months, and my own kids enjoyed seeing their friends. I don’t know how this school year will play out, but I am ready to go back tomorrow and try to make teaching virtually and in person work to the best of my ability. My students are worth the effort. 
.
James is a senior, and this was his last first day of school. Joshua is a sophomore, and Joseph is in 7th grade which means I have all three of my boys in the same building with me. Janna is in fourth grade, and she was very excited to be back at school. Julia will be a senior in college when she starts back next week. 
.
I am praying we all have a safe and healthy school year. I plan to try not to think about the unknowns and what-ifs and take it one day at a time.

Topics

Popular Posts

You Are My Sunshine Footprint Art
“Tire
“Easy
“Cooking
“Crockpot
“Sunday
“Sunday

Facebook

Blessings Overflowing

Pinterest

Visit Jackie's profile on Pinterest.

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe for Email Updates

Copyright © 2021 · Blessings Overflowing · Built on the Genesis Framework · Designed by Strong Tower Design