The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Beans in the Microwave

Beans are a versatile and healthy staple that can be incorporated into a variety of delicious meals. While many people are accustomed to using canned beans, cooking dried beans from scratch is easy and rewarding. Using the microwave to prepare beans cuts down on cooking time considerably compared to conventional stovetop methods Follow this comprehensive guide to get perfect beans every time using your microwave.

Benefits of Cooking Your Own Beans

Cooking your own beans from scratch has many advantages over using canned beans:

• Cost savings – Dried beans are significantly cheaper per serving than canned beans, Buying dried beans in bulk allows you to cook beans in large batches for meals throughout the week

• Control over texture – You can adjust cook times to get the exact tenderness you prefer. Canned beans can end up mushy.

• Better flavor – The flavor of homemade beans surpasses canned versions. You control any added seasonings.

• Health benefits – Homecooked beans retain more nutrients compared to canned varieties. Canned beans can also be high in added sodium.

• Customized ingredient control – You choose whether to add salt, seasonings, or other ingredients when cooking beans yourself.

Equipment Needed

Cooking beans in the microwave does not require any special equipment. All you need is:

• A microwave-safe bowl or dish with lid
• Measuring cups
• Colander or strainer

Choose a bowl that is large enough to allow the beans to expand during cooking without overflowing. A 2-3 quart bowl should accommodate up to 1 cup of dried beans.

Step-by-Step Microwave Bean Cooking Method

Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked beans every time:

1. Rinse and Sort the Beans

• Place the desired amount of dried beans in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water to remove any dust or debris.

• Look through the beans and remove any that are shriveled, discolored or otherwise undesirable. Discard any stones or foreign matter.

2. Soak the Beans

• Transfer the rinsed beans to a microwave-safe bowl and add enough water to cover by 2-3 inches.

• Allow beans to soak for at least 6-8 hours, or up to 24 hours for improved texture and shortened cook time.

• For quick soaking, bring beans and water to a boil in the microwave, let stand for 1 hour, then drain and proceed.

3. Drain and Rinse Beans

• Drain the soaking liquid from the beans. Rinse the beans again.

4. Add Fresh Water and Seasonings

• Return the soaked, drained beans to the microwave-safe bowl and add fresh water to cover by 1 inch.

• Add any desired seasonings like salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, onion, etc.

5. Cook on High

• Cover bowl securely with lid. Microwave on high power for 10-15 minutes until boiling.

• Allow to boil for 2-3 minutes.

6. Reduce Power and Simmer

• Reduce microwave power to 50% and cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender.

• Check beans every 10-15 minutes after 30 minutes. Cook times vary based on soaking time, bean type, quantity, and microwave wattage.

7. Allow to Stand

• When beans are tender, remove from microwave and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes before serving.

• Drain any excess liquid before using beans in recipes. Enjoy!

Bean Varieties and Cook Times

Cook times can vary greatly depending on the type and quantity of beans. Below are estimated microwave cook times for 1 cup of soaked beans:

• Black beans – 35-40 minutes
• Pinto beans – 30-35 minutes
• Kidney beans – 40-50 minutes
• Cannellini beans – 45-55 minutes
• Navy beans – 50-60 minutes
• Lima beans – 8-12 minutes
• Lentils – 8-12 minutes

For best results, start checking doneness after the minimum recommended time and adjust cook time as needed based on your preferences.

Tips for the Best Microwaved Beans

Follow these tips for maximizing flavor and texture when cooking beans in the microwave:

• Always soak beans first to reduce cook times and improve texture.

• Make sure beans are completely submerged in liquid during cooking. Add more water if needed.

• Stir thoroughly halfway through and check often toward the end.

• Season beans after cooking for best flavor infusion.

• For less mushy beans, simmer just until tender then immediately drain and run under cold water.

• Natural salt substitutes like celery salt or garlic salt can reduce sodium content.

• Add acidic ingredients like tomatoes, lemon juice or vinegar at the end to preserve shape.

With the right technique, the microwave makes quick work of preparing tasty, nutritious beans to enjoy in soups, salads, burritos, and more!