Dried Beans are an inexpensive, healthy, high protein food. However, dried beans require some prep work, like having to be sorted. Because of this, they often get left on the shelf while shoppers buy the canned version. Don’t be that shopper. Preparation is easy so pick up dried beans. Here’s how to sort beans and why you must do it.
Dried beans are a versatile, nutrient-dense pantry staple used in many cuisines. But before cooking with dried beans, it’s essential to sort through them first. Sorting removes any debris, stones, or damaged beans that could ruin a dish. Here is a step-by-step guide to sorting beans correctly.
Why Sorting Beans is Important
Beans are a natural agricultural product that goes through a harvesting and drying process before packaging. During this journey from field to bag, it’s not uncommon for some impurities to make their way into the final packages of beans. Here’s what sorting accomplishes:
- Removes small pebbles and stones
- Removes dirt, leaves, stems, and other field debris
- Removes bean pods, loose skins, and bean fragments
- Removes shriveled, broken, or damaged beans
- Removes beans damaged by pests or mold
- Provides a chance to inspect for insects
Sorting ensures only wholesome, intact beans are used in recipes. It improves the texture of finished dishes and prevents damage to teeth from inadvertently biting into pebbles.
What to Look for When Sorting Beans
When sorting beans, inspect them closely and discard any that are
- Shriveled or misshapen
- Split open or cracked
- Broken in half or fragments
- Punctured with tiny insect holes
- Darkened or discolored
- Covered in dirt or debris
- Molded, mushy, or slimy
Well-formed, plump beans in consistent size and color are ideal. Sort out the rejects before giving beans a thorough rinse.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Sorting Beans
Follow these simple steps for sorting any batch of dried beans:
1. Spread Beans Out
Pour beans onto a large rimmed baking sheet or clean kitchen towel Spread into a single layer so all beans are visible.
2. Visually Inspect and Remove Debris
Slowly sift through the beans with your fingers, scanning for any foreign material. Pick out all stones, stems, leaves, clumps of dirt, etc.
3. Feel for Damage
Gently pick up each bean and feel for any with cracked coats, soft spots, holes, or asymmetric shapes.
4. Discard Defective Beans
Place all defective beans, fragments, and debris into a separate pile to discard.
5. Rinse Thoroughly
Place sorted beans into a strainer and rinse under cold running water, stirring and agitating to remove any remaining dust or dirt.
6. Drain and Cook
Allow beans to drain completely before using in recipes. They are now ready to soak and cook!
Sorting beans by hand may take 5-10 minutes but is quick and easy. When in doubt, err on the side of throwing out more beans to get rid of anything questionable.
Tips for Efficient Bean Sorting
- Use good lighting to see small defects.
- Work over a large tray to catch fallen beans.
- Go slowly and handle beans gently.
- Enlist help from family to make it faster.
- Sort beans just before soaking and cooking.
- Buy beans from stores with good turnover.
Well-sorted beans produce the best tasting soups, dips, salads, and other bean dishes. Don’t skip this simple step!
Should You Rinse Canned Beans Too?
Unlike dried beans, canned beans are pre-cooked and don’t require sorting. However, it’s still a good idea to give canned beans a quick rinse. This removes any loose skins, sugars, or processing liquids that can affect texture and flavor.
Drain canned beans into a strainer and rinse for 15-30 seconds. Shake off excess water before using beans in recipes. Rinsing improves their appearance and prevents them from being overly mushy.
Why Soaking is Also Key with Dried Beans
After sorting comes soaking! Soaking dried beans is crucial for:
- Rehydrating beans for even cooking
- Reducing indigestible sugars that cause gas
- Removing phytic acid and other antinutrients
- Softening the tough outer skins
- Cutting overall cooking time
Before cooking, always soak sorted beans for 8-12 hours in water. Discard soaking liquid which contains indigestible compounds. Well-sorted, soaked beans ensure perfect beans every time.
Storing Sorted Beans Properly
For long-term storage, keep bags of sorted beans in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard. Use within 1 year for best quality. Transferred sorted beans to airtight containers for extended freshness.
To extend shelf life even further, consider freezing extra dried beans up to 2 years. Portion beans into freezer bags or containers first. Thaw overnight in the fridge before using frozen beans.
With a simple upfront investment of time to sort and soak, beans provide healthy, budget-friendly protein to stock your pantry with. Follow these tips and enjoy beans at their best!
Why You Must Sort Beans
During the harvesting and packaging process of dried beans, piecesof debris sometimes end up in the final packaging. Small stones and rocks, dirt, twigs, and maybe even a bug or two could be in the package you bought.
There are natural things in dried beans that shouldn’t be there, and you also need to sort the beans to get rid of the “bad beans.”
These unpleasant things shouldn’t be in the meal you worked so hard on, so they need to be taken out.
What Do Bad Beans Look Like?
Good Beans are plump and smooth. They should look like themajority of the other beans in the same package. Now that you know what to lookfor, here are the beans that need discarding.
When you sort beans, remove the following types of beans anddiscard them.
- Shriveled Beans
- Beans with insect holes in them
- Split and broken beans
- Beans that are unnaturally dark or look burned.
- Beans that have mold on them
- Any beans that have loose skins
How to Sort Beans and Why You Sort Them
FAQ
What does sort the beans mean?
Can I sort beans after soaking?
Why do you sort the beans prior to cooking?
How do you sort beans?
When you sort beans, remove the following types of beans and discard them. Beans that are unnaturally dark or look burned. Remove the beans from their packaging. Roll the beans around and sift through them with your fingers, removing any debris and beans that do not belong. Another part of bean preparation is soaking the beans.
Do dried beans need to be sorted?
Dried Beans are an inexpensive, healthy, high protein food. However, dried beans require some prep work, like having to be sorted. Because of this, they often get left on the shelf while shoppers buy the canned version. Don’t be that shopper. Preparation is easy so pick up dried beans. Here’s how to sort beans and why you must do it.
How do you cook dried beans on a stovetop?
To cook dried beans on your stovetop, you’ll first need to soak them for at least an hour. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the size of the beans, personal preferences for tenderness, and burner settings. Sort and wash the beans, discarding any debris, then rinse them well in a colander.
Do bad beans need to be sorted?
In addition to the natural things found in dried beans that shouldn’t be, you also need to sort beans to get out the “bad beans”. The meal you worked so hard on doesn’t need any of these unsavory things in it so they must be removed. What Do Bad Beans Look Like? Good Beans are plump and smooth.