How long do dried beans need to soak

Eight to twelve hours, or overnight. They double in size, so cover them with plenty of water and leave the bag loosely sealed for expansion.

Do I have to soak beans at all

Soaking shortens cooking time and makes beans more digestible. You can skip it, but a bulk batch cooks more evenly when soaked first.

Can I freeze cooked beans

Yes. Cool them, portion with a little cooking liquid, and freeze flat in the bag. They keep several months and thaw fast.

Is a gallon bag too big for beans

For a bulk soak the size is essential, since beans double and need the water. The clear bag is also handy for brining, pickles, or cold brew the rest of the week.

Soak & Cook Dried Beans in Bulk

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Bulk & Travel

Soak & Cook Dried Beans in Bulk

Dried beans double in size as they soak, so a bulk batch needs a big vessel with room for the water. A gallon bag is built for it: pour in a few pounds of beans, cover with plenty of water, and let them soak overnight, then cook and freeze portions. The XXL Clear bag lets you see the beans swell and confirm they stay covered. The large size is the whole reason this works for a bulk batch you can portion for weeks.

Soak8-12 h

Cook1-2 h

Makesseveral portions

Bag1 gallon

What you need

2 to 3 pounds dried beans (pinto, black, chickpea, or kidney)
Plenty of cold water to cover by several inches
1 tablespoon kosher salt (for soaking, optional)
Aromatics for cooking: onion, garlic, bay leaf
1 XXL Silicone Food Storage Bag (Clear)

Directions

Sort the beans and discard any stones or shriveled ones. Rinse them.
Pour the beans into the Clear bag and add cold water to cover them by at least 3 inches, since they will double. Stir in salt if using.
Press out most of the air, seal loosely to allow for expansion, and let the beans soak 8 to 12 hours or overnight. Watch through the bag as they swell.
Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then cook them on the stove or in a pressure cooker with fresh water and aromatics until tender, about 1 to 2 hours on the stove.
Cool the cooked beans and portion them, with a little of their liquid, back into a bag or containers.
Freeze the portions flat and pull out what you need. Cooked beans keep several months frozen.

Tips and notes

Give the beans room to double, so cover them generously with water.
Kidney beans must be boiled hard for at least 10 minutes during cooking to be safe; do not eat them undercooked.
Salt in the soak seasons the beans through without making the skins tough.
Freeze cooked beans with a little of their cooking liquid so they do not dry out.

Get the XXL Silicone Bag

The Clear XXL bag holds a few pounds of dried beans with room to double as they soak, and see-through silicone lets you watch them swell and stay covered. The leakproof seal keeps the overnight soak tidy.

See the Clear Bag

Albino Monkey XXL Silicone Food Storage Bag (Clear)

Common questions

How long do dried beans need to soak: Eight to twelve hours, or overnight. They double in size, so cover them with plenty of water and leave the bag loosely sealed for expansion.
Do I have to soak beans at all: Soaking shortens cooking time and makes beans more digestible. You can skip it, but a bulk batch cooks more evenly when soaked first.
Can I freeze cooked beans: Yes. Cool them, portion with a little cooking liquid, and freeze flat in the bag. They keep several months and thaw fast.
Is a gallon bag too big for beans: For a bulk soak the size is essential, since beans double and need the water. The clear bag is also handy for brining, pickles, or cold brew the rest of the week.