Cooking dried black beans from a bag is a great way to save money and have control over the ingredients. However, it does require some planning and time. Here is a look at how long it takes to cook black beans from a bag, as well as tips for preparing and cooking them.
How Long Does it Take to Soak Black Beans?
Before cooking dried black beans, they need to be soaked. This helps hydrate the beans so they cook more evenly. The general recommendation is to soak black beans for 5-24 hours before cooking.
Soaking for the full 24 hours is ideal as it allows the beans to become fully hydrated. This cuts down the cooking time. However, you can get away with a shorter soak of 5-8 hours if you are short on time.
Here are some soaking guidelines for black beans:
- 5-8 hours – Will reduce cooking time slightly
- 12 hours – Good standard soaking time
- 24 hours – Ideal for fully hydrating the beans to reduce cooking time
Make sure to cover the beans with at least a couple inches of water while soaking. Drain and rinse the beans after soaking.
How Long to Cook Soaked Black Beans
Once the beans are soaked, it’s time to cook them. The cooking time can vary based on a few factors:
- Soaking time – Beans soaked for the full 24 hours will cook faster than those with a shorter soak time.
- Heat level – Cooking at a simmer versus a boil will increase cook time.
- Bean freshness – Older beans typically take longer to become tender than fresher beans.
On average, soaked black beans take 1-2 hours to cook depending on the factors above. Here are some general cook times based on soaking time:
| Soaking Time | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| 5-8 hours | 1 1/2 – 2 hours |
| 12 hours | 1 – 1 1/2 hours |
| 24 hours | 1 hour |
Check the beans for doneness after the recommended cook time. They should be fork tender but not falling apart. Cook longer if needed until tender.
How to Cook Black Beans Without Soaking
It is possible to cook black beans without an overnight soak. The cook time will be longer, but with a few tips you can still get tender beans.
For unsoaked beans, it typically takes 2-4 hours of cooking depending on the heat level and freshness of the beans.
Here are some tips for cooking unsoaked black beans:
- Use a pressure cooker – Pressure cooking cuts the cook time significantly, to around 20-30 minutes.
- Cover beans with 2 inches of water – The extra water is key to hydrating the beans.
- Bring to a boil then simmer – The initial boil helps tenderize the skins.
- Stir occasionally – This helps evenly distribute hydration.
- Add acids at the end – Acids like tomato, wine, lemon juice can prevent beans from softening if added too soon.
Checking often for doneness and adding more liquid if needed can help unsoaked beans cook thoroughly without becoming dried out.
Tips for Cooking Black Beans
Follow these tips for cooked perfectly cooked, creamy black beans every time:
- Pick over beans and rinse before soaking and cooking – This removes any debris.
- Discard soaking water – This helps remove indigestible compounds that cause gas.
- Use enough water – Beans should be covered by at least 1 inch while cooking.
- Season at the end – Salt can prevent beans from becoming tender if added too soon.
- Cook until tender – Beans should be completely softened without any chalkiness in center.
- Natural release pressure cooker – This prevents blow outs or uneven cooking in pressure cookers.
How Long Do Cooked Black Beans Last?
Here is how long cooked black beans last in the refrigerator or freezer:
| Storage Method | Shelf Life |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 5-7 days |
| Freezer | 6-8 months |
To maximize freshness, store cooked beans in an airtight container. Beans can also be frozen in portion sizes for easy use later on.
Ready-to-Use Black Beans
If you don’t want to cook dried beans, look for these convenient options:
- Canned black beans – These are pre-cooked and just need to be drained and rinsed before using.
- Instant pot black beans – Cook from dry to done in under an hour using a pressure cooker.
- Frozen pre-cooked black beans – Just thaw before adding to recipes.
Canned and frozen black bean options mean you can skip the overnight soaking and long cooking times, while still getting all the nutritional benefits of beans.
How to Use Cooked Black Beans
Here are some ways to use those tender, creamy black beans:
- Black bean soup
- Black bean chili or stew
- Black bean burritos or tacos
- Black bean salad
- Black bean dip
- Black bean burgers or veggie patties
Beans are highly versatile, taking on the flavors of ingredients cooked with them. Spice them up with chili powder and cumin, or keep things simple with just salt, garlic and olive oil.
Nutrition of Cooked Black Beans
Below are some of the nutrients found in 1 cup cooked black beans (172g):
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 15g | 60% |
| Protein | 15g | 30% |
| Iron | 20% | 25% |
| Magnesium | 30% | 25% |
Black beans are high in fiber, plant-based protein, iron, magnesium, folate, and potassium. Their high nutrient density makes them a healthy pantry staple.
Final Tips
- Soak beans for at least 5 hours, or up to 24 for best results
- Cook soaked beans for 1-2 hours until tender
- Cook unsoaked beans for 2-4 hours
- Use a pressure cooker to significantly decrease cook time
- Store cooked beans for up to a week in the refrigerator
- Freeze extra portions of cooked beans for meals later on
With some planning ahead, dried black beans are an affordable, nourishing, and versatile pantry staple. Soaking them before cooking helps reduce the cooking time while still producing tender, creamy beans perfect for soups, dips, salads, and more.