Cooking dry beans is much easier than you think and a delicious way to get a meal on the table! I’ve included a few of my favorite tips below!
I am excited to partner with Hurst’s HamBeens® to share our favorite tips and make your pantry meals both easy and successful!
A Pantry Staple
I know that many of you love Hurst’s HamBeens as much as my family does! I have several bags of these beans in my pantry because they make for delicious and nutritious meals that everyone LOVES (like our favorite Crockpot Ham and Bean Soup)! We’ve partnered with Hurst’s HamBeens® on some great recipes in the past (from Instant Pot Bean Soup to 15 Bean Chili and of course Cajun Turkey Bean Soup).
These beans come with a variety of colorful beans and a yummy seasoning packet. You can find them on most grocery shelves across the U.S. Due to the high demand for pantry items right now, Hurst reached out because they know that their products (and most dry beans) have been sold out a lot at stores. They have ensured us that their staff and family are working hard to get the product back on the shelves as quickly as possible and are happy to help provide a comforting meal in these difficult times!
Cooking With Dry Beans is Easy
Dried beans are a pantry staple, meaning if you’ve got dried beans in your cupboard, you’ve got a healthy meal at your fingertips! I can assure you that cooking with dried beans is nutritious, delicious and best of all, it’s EASY! Simply soak the beans if desired, simmer and enjoy!
Tips for Cooking Dry Beans
Rinse beans well and check for any debris. Do not add acidic ingredients until after the beans have softened (such as canned tomatoes or lemon juice). These ingredients can sometimes interfere with rehydration. Salt can also interfere with rehydration so it is best added after the beans have softened. Beans will naturally foam a little bit while cooking. Adding a small amount of butter or oil will reduce foaming. Cook beans easily in a slow cooker or Instant Pot with no soaking required!
HamBeens® 15 Bean Soup can be found in the dry bean section of almost any grocery store and rest assured, if your store is low on stock, the Hurst staff and family are working on filling the shelves ASAP!
To Soak or Not To Soak?
Do dry beans actually need to be soaked? No, they don’t, this step is optional! The purpose of soaking beans is to reduce cook time.
Overnight: Beans can be soaked in water overnight by simply placing them in a pot and covering them with cold water. Soak in the fridge 8-12 hours. Hot Soak: Add 10 cups water for every 2 cups of dry beans and boil 3 minutes. Cover and let soak 4-24 hours. Quick Soak: To soak beans faster, cover them with water and boil 3 minutes. Turn the heat off and let them stand for at least 1 hour (or up to four hours). Microwave Soak: Add 3 cups of water for each cup of beans and microwave on high for 15 minutes. Let beans stand for 1 hour.
You may notice some wrinkling on the beans once they’ve been soaked, this is a natural part of the rehydration process. Once soaked, dry beans will still need to be cooked or simmered according to your recipe.
Rinse beans after soaking and cook in fresh water. No soaking required when using a slow cooker or Instant Pot. If you have soaked your beans, you can most often reduce the liquid in your recipe by 1 cup.
How Long to Cook Dry Beans
Soaked Beans
Stovetop: 90-120 minutes Slow Cooker: high for 5-7 hours
Dry beans
Slow Cooker: high 5-7 hours Instant Pot: High pressure 60 minutes, quick release
How to Substitute Dry for Canned
If a recipe calls for canned beans, you can substitute dry beans in place. In fact, Hurst’s 15 Bean mix can be added into almost any recipe you would normally use canned beans in from a chili recipe to baked beans! Beans will double in size when soaked so if your recipe calls for 1 cup canned beans, you will need to rehydrate 1/2 cup dried beans.
Reader Favorite Recipes
Can You Freeze Beans?
Dry beans should not be stored in the freezer but most meals made with beans freeze well! Cook the beans as directed in your recipe and cool completely. Once cooled, transfer the soup into individual freezer bags or containers and freeze for up to 6 months. To defrost, just add the soup to a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. What is your favorite way to enjoy dried beans? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below! © SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
