Navy beans are a versatile nutrient-dense legume that can be used in many dishes. Their creamy texture and mild flavor make navy beans an excellent addition to soups chilies, baked beans, salads, and more. But like any cooked food, they have a limited shelf life. So how long do cooked navy beans last in the fridge?
The Shelf Life of Cooked Navy Beans
When stored properly in the refrigerator, cooked navy beans will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days. This window can vary based on preparation methods and how the beans are stored after cooking. Following fridge storage best practices is key to maintaining safety and quality.
Cooked navy beans should be discarded if left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, as bacteria can multiply quickly in the temperature danger zone between 40-140°F Refrigerating or freezing beans after cooking is a must
How to Store Cooked Navy Beans in the Fridge
Here are some tips for maximizing the shelf life of cooked navy beans in the refrigerator:
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Let navy beans cool to room temperature within an hour after cooking Transfer to shallow airtight containers or resealable bags
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Make sure containers have no air pockets, which can introduce moisture and accelerate spoilage. Exclude as much air as possible.
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Store navy bean containers on fridge shelves rather than in door racks, which experience more temperature fluctuations from opening/closing.
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Use cooked navy beans within 3 days for the best quality, flavor, and texture. Use within 5 days for safety.
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Check for visible signs of spoilage before consuming, like mold, off odors, or sliminess. Discard if any are present.
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Cooked bean salads and dishes with other fresh produce mixed in will spoil faster than plain beans. Eat mixed dishes sooner, within 3 days.
Storing Navy Bean Leftovers for Later
Only reheat the portion size of navy beans you plan to eat in one sitting. Here are some serving suggestions:
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Add a scoop of cooked beans to a fresh green salad or grain bowl during meal prep.
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Mash navy beans with garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a quick bean dip or spread for sandwiches.
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Purée beans with veggie broth for a fast navy bean soup.
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Mix beans into casseroles, stews, pasta dishes, and tacos within 3 days.
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Portion beans into single-serve containers for quick grab-and-go additions to meals later in the week.
Freezing Cooked Navy Beans
For longer term storage, cooked navy beans freeze well for 6 months. To freeze:
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Let beans cool completely before transferring to freezer bags or airtight containers.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal bags or lids tightly.
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Label containers with contents and freeze date.
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Maintain a stable 0°F freezer temperature.
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Once thawed in fridge, use navy beans within 3-4 days. Do not refreeze.
How to Maintain Food Safety
Always practice food safety when preparing and storing cooked navy beans:
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Refrigerate or freeze beans within 1-2 hours after cooking. Do not leave at room temperature.
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Check for signs of spoilage and discard beans that look or smell unpleasant.
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When reheating, heat thoroughly until steaming hot, at least 165°F.
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Avoid letting bean dishes sit in the temperature danger zone for longer than 2 hours total, including cooking, serving, and storing leftovers.
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Do not eat navy beans that have exceeded the recommended 3-5 day fridge shelf life. Dispose of old beans, even if frozen.
Signs Cooked Navy Beans Have Spoiled
Look out for the following signs of spoiled cooked navy beans:
- Mold growing on beans
- Visible sliminess
- Unpleasant sour smell
- Discoloration or graying
- Dry, shriveled texture
Discard beans immediately if you notice any of these indications of spoilage. Don’t taste test old beans, as harmful bacteria may be present. Stay vigilant about following fridge storage times.
Key Takeaways
Properly stored, cooked navy beans stay fresh for 3-5 days when refrigerated in airtight containers. Freeze for longer term storage of up to 6 months. Always refrigerate beans within 2 hours after cooking. Monitor for signs of spoilage and discard beans that exceed the recommended fridge shelf life. Following these simple guidelines will help you safely enjoy navy bean leftovers while optimizing freshness.
How to Store and Cook Dried Beans
If you have a bag of dried beans in your pantry but have been putting them off because you didn’t know how to cook them, don’t worry! We have put together all the information you need to confidently store and cook dried beans.
Store dry beans in a cool, dry place and avoid high temperatures and high humidity to maintain freshness. Store unused dry beans in a resealable plastic bag or tightly covered, non-metal container for up to one year. Store cooked beans in a covered container that is not made from metal in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Also try storing cooked beans in smaller one to two cup portions, for ease of use in recipes. For more information about how long it is safe to store foods, visit the FoodKeeper App.
Below are the basic steps to preparing dried beans. The steps include sorting, rinsing, soaking and cooking. You can choose from three different ways to soak dry beans, depending on how much time and care you have to pay to them.
- Before cooking, spread dry beans out on a clean kitchen towel to get rid of any small stones, dirt, broken, or shriveled beans.
- Strain the beans and run cold water over them several times. After the beans have been washed and sorted, they need to be soaked before cooking. The table below shows different ways to do this. You don’t have to soak dry peas and lentils before cooking them. It’s important to remember that dry beans will soak up water, so make sure you use a big pot with extra space for them to grow. There are three ways to soak beans: hot, quick, or overnight. Hot soak is the fastest and easiest. Step 1: Put two cups (one pound) of dry beans in a large pot with 10 cups of water. Put two cups of dry beans (one pound) and six cups of water in a large pot. Put 10 cups of water and 2 pounds of dry beans in a large pot. Step 2 Heat to boiling for 2 to 3 minutes. Boil for about 2-3 minutes. Cover, refrigerate, and soak for 6-8 hours or overnight. Step 3: Take the beans off the heat, cover them, and let them soak for 4 hours. Take it off the heat, cover it, and let it soak for at least an hour. Step 4 Drain beans and discard water. Drain beans and discard water. Drain beans and discard water. Step 5: Before cooking, rinse the beans with cool, fresh water. Rinse soaked beans with fresh, cool water before cooking. Rinse soaked beans with fresh, cool water before cooking. Source: USDA. Bean Basics: A Toolkit on How to Use Beans. April 2020.
- Put washed beans and 6 cups of fresh water in a large pot. Bring the beans to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer. Follow the steps in the table below or on the package to cook the beans. Start checking the doneness of beans after about one hour.
When cooking beans, add herbs and spices as desired for added flavor. Adding salt or acidic foods (like tomatoes) to beans while they are cooking will make them take longer to cook. Beans may be simmered with other ingredients in a crockpot after they have been cooked and are tender.
| Bean | Cooking Time |
|---|---|
| Black Beans | 1½ – 2 hours |
| Black-Eyed Peas
(No soaking required!) |
½ to 1 hour |
| Chickpeas (garbanzo beans) | ½ to 1 hour |
| Cranberry | ¾ to 1 hour |
| Great Northern Beans | ¾ to 1 hour |
| Jacob’s Cattle | 1-2 hours |
| Kidney Beans
(dark and light red) |
Dark Red: 1½ to 2 hours
Light Red: 1 to 1½ hours |
| Lentils | 1 hour |
| Large Lima Beans
(Butter Beans) |
1 to 1½ hours |
| Navy Beans | 1½ to 2 hours |
| Pinto Beans | 1½ to 2 hours |
| Yellow Eye | 1-2 hours |
About two to three cups of cooked beans can be made from one cup of dry beans. About six cups of cooked beans can be made from two cups of dry beans. One drained, 15 ½ ounce can of beans equals 1 ¾ cup of cooked dry beans. On the Food and Health Recipe page, you can find some of our favorite bean recipes. Instead of canned beans, use beans that you have already cooked. Don’t forget that you can cook dry beans ahead of time and freeze them for later use, the same way you would freeze canned beans. There are 1 cup and 2 cup sizes of cooked beans that can be frozen. Thaw them in the fridge before using them.
By Kate Yerxa, Extension Professor and EFNEP Coordinator
Kitchen Tip 9 ~ Freezing Cooked Beans
FAQ
Can you eat cooked beans after 7 days?
How long can navy beans stay in the refrigerator?
Are cooked beans good after 2 weeks?
Are beans good for a week in the fridge?
How long do cooked navy beans last at room temperature?
Properly stored, cooked navy beans will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator. How long can cooked navy beans be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked navy beans should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Can one survive on beans alone?
It is not possible to live eating only one food. The human body needs nutrients that are not present in beans, therefore, if someone consumes only beans to survive, they will suffer consequences such as nutritional deficiency that will trigger problems and diseases that can and will certainly lead to death over time.
How long do cooked beans last in the refrigerator?
But once you’ve cooked up a big batch of beans, you might find yourself wondering how long they can safely be stored in the refrigerator. Do you like this article? When properly stored, cooked beans can last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Do cooked navy beans need to be refrigerated?
To maximize the shelf life of cooked navy beans for safety and quality, refrigerate the navy beans in shallow airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. How long do cooked navy beans last in the refrigerator? Properly stored, cooked navy beans will last for 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.