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Main Section » Frugal Fridays » Dried Beans

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Dried Beans

Oct 30, 2008

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I have always used canned beans. I think mainly for the convenience of them. It is so much easier to open a can then it is to soak beans overnight and then cook them for several hours. Plus, even canned beans are not the expensive.

If you have been reading my blog for a while you know that I am trying to reduce the amount of packaged and processed items that we eat. I know that beans are not nearly as processed as most food we eat, but I realized this was an area I could avoid processed foods. Plus, canned beans usually contain a lot of salt. So, I thought avoiding them would be a good idea.

So, I have been cooking up a lot of dried beans. We eat mainly red and black beans, so that is what I have been cooking. I soak two pounds of beans overnight. Then in the morning I put them in the crock pot and cover with water. I cook them for six to eight hours or until they are done. I drain them, let them cool, and place them in containers or Ziploc bags to freeze. I freeze them in both two and four cup packages. Most cans of beans equal about 1 1/2 to 2 cups, so those amounts work for most of my recipes. Plus, when you are cooking with beans you do not have to be exact.

Yes, this takes more work then opening a can. I have to think ahead, not only to cook the beans, but to defrost them when I need them. What I have discovered though is how much cheaper dried beans are. You can buy a pound of beans for about the same price as one can. It really does save money.

So, not only are they healthier, they are cheaper, and I think dried beans taste better. For more frugal ideas see Biblicalwomanhood.

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Filed Under: Frugal Fridays, Kitchen Tips

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Faith

    October 30, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    A quick & easy way to plump up dried beans is to use the pressure cooker. It usually takes about 30 minutes.

    I like the idea of freezer bags of beans as well.

    Reply
  2. Lynn

    October 30, 2008 at 10:03 pm

    I have heard that about the pressure cooker and cooking beans. But I don’t have a pressure cooker. Maybe I will have to put one on my wish list. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Dalyn (AKA The Queen of Quite Alot)

    October 30, 2008 at 11:03 pm

    I buy organic beans in bulk!

    Reply
  4. Lynne Campbell

    October 31, 2008 at 1:39 am

    I have been thinking of this too. There just arent very many beans in a jar of beans…lol

    Thanks for posting.

    Reply
  5. BarbaraLee

    October 31, 2008 at 8:04 am

    I tried that once and they didn’t turn out for me. I must not have cooked them long enough.

    Reply
  6. LB

    October 31, 2008 at 11:43 am

    I am also making the switch from canned to dried, so this post is very helpful. Thanks.

    Reply
  7. Jennie Gift

    April 16, 2010 at 1:09 pm

    Do you add anything to the beans while your cooking them? I would like to try this but have always used can so it’s very new to me 🙂

    Reply
    • Lynn

      April 16, 2010 at 2:48 pm

      @Jennie Gift, I don’t usually season them or anything b/c then I can use them for anything I want. But if you are going to use them for only mexican or something like that, then go ahead and season them however you want when cooking them.

      Reply
  8. Crystal

    September 26, 2010 at 1:47 pm

    I soak mine in the slowcooker and then cook them in it… works great .. and i don’t need to keep a constant eye on them

    Reply
  9. Beth

    April 26, 2011 at 4:55 pm

    I spread my cooked beans on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and freeze them that way. Then just take a metal spatula or something to break them up a bit and put them in a ziplock. I like it that way since I don’t have to measure them out all at once and just use what I need for a recipe. Also, I’ve heard if you add a pinch of baking soda to the water it will help cook the beans faster. I also use the crockpot, but haven’t tried the baking soda yet. I agree, it’s just one more way to avoid extra cost by making your own and another convenience food that’s not needed. Love your website!

    Reply

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About Lynn

Lynn's Kitchen AdventuresI love to cook and bake, and my family loves to eat. Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures is all about sharing my love of cooking, recipes, tips, and ideas of how I combine this cooking passion with a busy life. [Read More]

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