Whether you’re stocking your pantry or found some dried beans buried on a back shelf and are wondering what to do with them, we’ve got you covered. Packed with nutrients and low-cost, beans and lentils can easily be prepared in batches, stored for later use, or enjoyed right away.
Follow these easy steps for preparing beans and lentils at home!
1. Clean
Before soaking, sort through dried beans, peas, or lentils.
Throw out any that are discolored or shriveled.
2. Soak
To soak quickly:
Fill a pot with water. Add beans. Bring to a boil.
Boil beans for 5 minutes. Turn the heat off. Cover, and let sit for one hour.
Drain the soaking water. Rinse the beans.
To soak overnight:
Fill a bowl with 3 cups cold water per 1 cup beans.
Soak beans for 8 to 12 hours at room temperature.
Drain the soaking water. Rinse the beans.
3. Cook
Add enough water to cover dry beans, peas, or lentils by two inches.
Simmer the beans for 30 minutes to 2 hours, until cooked. You may need to
add water to keep beans from drying out.
Beans, peas, and lentils are done when they are easy to break open with a fork.
4. Store
Use right away. Or, store in refrigerator or freezer.
When you are ready to use frozen beans, defrost and prepare like canned beans.
Whether you’re stocking your pantry or found some dried beans buried on a back shelf and are wondering what to do with them, we’ve got you covered. Packed with nutrients and low-cost, beans and lentils can easily be prepared in batches, stored for later use, or enjoyed right away.
Follow these easy steps for preparing beans and lentils at home!
1. Clean
Before soaking, sort through dried beans, peas, or lentils.
Throw out any that are discolored or shriveled.
2. Soak
To soak quickly:
Fill a pot with water. Add beans. Bring to a boil.
Boil beans for 5 minutes. Turn the heat off. Cover, and let sit for one hour.
Drain the soaking water. Rinse the beans.
To soak overnight:
Fill a bowl with 3 cups cold water per 1 cup beans.
Soak beans for 8 to 12 hours at room temperature.
Drain the soaking water. Rinse the beans.
3. Cook
Add enough water to cover dry beans, peas, or lentils by two inches.
Simmer the beans for 30 minutes to 2 hours, until cooked. You may need to
add water to keep beans from drying out.
Beans, peas, and lentils are done when they are easy to break open with a fork.
4. Store
Use right away. Or, store in refrigerator or freezer.
When you are ready to use frozen beans, defrost and prepare like canned beans.