Like me, you make a big pot of red beans (or any kind of beans) and have a lot of leftovers. Some people say that red beans taste even better the second day after they’ve been made. But what about the third, fourth, or fifth day? Are beans still good after a week? This makes you wonder how long cooked beans can stay in the fridge.
I always use the whole 16-ounce package of beans, even when I’m making my Monday Red Beans and Rice (pictured above). I guess I should cut back on how much I cook since my wife and I are the only ones eating the beans, but I like having them for lunch or dinner on those crazy busy nights when the kids have an after-school event.
Some of my favorite things to do on Sunday are take it easy and let some red beans cook slowly on the stove. I try for Monday but with everything else going on, I don’t want to rush it. Beans need time for all of the flavors to come together. A slow cooker version works but I prefer the stovetop versions whenever I can. It’s making me nervous that the beans won’t be good on Wednesday or, God forbid, Thursday if they’re still in the fridge. Will they go bad?
But no need to panic. If you ever find yourself in the same situation I do, here’s what you need to know.
Beans are a nutritious, protein-packed addition to many meals While dried beans keep for months in the pantry, cooked beans have a shorter shelf life But can you still eat beans after they’ve been stored in the fridge for a week? Let’s take a closer look.
How Long Do Cooked Beans Last in the Fridge?
Cooked beans will keep for 3-5 days when properly stored in the refrigerator. To maximize freshness it’s best to eat them within 3 days. However, they can still be safely consumed up to 5 days later.
After 5 days, the quality and flavor of the beans start to deteriorate. They also become more prone to bacterial growth. So for the best taste and food safety, it’s recommended to toss beans that are over 5 days old.
Extending the Shelf Life of Cooked Beans
Here are some tips to help your leftover beans last as long as possible in the fridge:
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Let beans cool completely before refrigerating. Don’t transfer piping hot beans straight from the pot to the fridge. Allow them to come down to room temperature first.
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Store beans in an airtight container. Mason jars, food storage containers, or resealable plastic bags all work well.
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Make sure beans are completely submerged in their cooking liquid. The liquid creates an extra barrier against bacteria.
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Don’t overfill storage containers. Leave at least 1 inch of headspace so food can cool quickly.
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Place containers near the back of the fridge, where temperatures are coldest.
How to Tell if Refrigerated Beans Have Gone Bad
After 5-7 days, check your beans for signs of spoilage before eating:
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Appearance: Beans should not be moldy, slimy, or dried out. Discard beans with an odd color or texture.
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Smell: Beans should smell normal, without any sour, rotten, or off odors. Foul smells indicate spoilage.
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Taste: Beans shouldn’t taste unpleasantly sour or bitter. Any bitterness or tanginess means it’s time to toss them.
If there’s any doubt about the freshness, it’s not worth the risk. Remember, the quality of beans deteriorates over time, even if harmful bacteria isn’t present yet. Don’t eat beans that taste stale or seem past their prime.
Other Ways to Store Cooked Beans
Besides refrigerating, here are other storage methods to extend the life of cooked beans:
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Freezing: Portion beans into freezer bags or containers, leaving 1⁄2 inch headspace. They’ll keep for 3-6 months frozen.
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Canning: Beans can be canned using a pressure canner. Follow instructions from a trusted source like the USDA. Canned beans stay shelf-stable for up to a year.
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Dehydrating: Spread cooked beans in a single layer on dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 125°F for 18-24 hours until completely dried. Store in an airtight container.
Safety Tips for Handling Cooked Beans
To avoid foodborne illness when preparing beans:
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Always cook dried beans thoroughly until tender. Undercooked beans can be unsafe.
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Don’t let cooked beans sit at room temperature for over 2 hours. Refrigerate ASAP.
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When reheating beans, heat to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Don’t cross-contaminate. Use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.
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Wash hands, countertops, can openers, and cooking tools thoroughly before and after use.
Health Benefits of Beans
Enjoying beans, even past the 5 day mark, can have nutritional perks. Beans offer many health advantages:
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Excellent plant-based protein. Beans provide all 9 essential amino acids.
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High in fiber, providing satiety, digestive and heart health benefits.
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Packed with key vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, folate, potassium, and magnesium.
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Antioxidants from compounds like anthocyanins and polyphenols.
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May help manage blood sugar and reduce diabetes risk by slowing sugar absorption.
So savor beans while they’re in prime condition, but don’t feel guilty eating older leftovers that still taste good. Even beans stored for 5-7 days retain most of their nutrients.
Tasty Ways to Use Up Older Cooked Beans
If your beans are nearing the 5 day mark, use them up in cooked dishes that mask any decline in texture:
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Blend into dips like hummus, bean dip, or guacamole
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Mash a portion and stir into soups, stews, or chilis for added thickness
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Mix into casseroles, pastas, omelets, pancakes, or baked goods
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Sauté with spices, veggies, and protein for tacos, burgers, stuffed peppers, etc.
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Puree and stir into salad dressings, sandwich spreads, pasta sauces
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Make bean croquettes by mixing with breadcrumbs, egg, and seasoning
So go ahead and enjoy those leftover beans in the fridge. Just stick to storage times, check for spoilage, and mask any staleness in flavorful recipes. Your health and wallet will thank you.
Can you freeze cooked beans?
Yes, you can! Freezing is also a great way to save them longer. Once more, make sure you quickly wrap them up and put them in the freezer after cooking to stop bacteria from growing.
Divide the beans into portions for meal prep. This is one of the best ways to get them ready to freeze. I put a few different containers (or lock and seal bags like Ziploc) with beans in them to save for later. I usually put about two cups of beans in each container so my wife and I can each have some.
How Long Do Cooked Beans Last in the Fridge?
Typically, beans will last up to 5 days in the fridge. Putting them away soon after cooking is the best way to make sure they last until the fifth day. This way, bacteria don’t have time to grow.
After cooking a pot of beans, you’ll have about two hours’ time of them sitting out before you have to worry about bacteria – that’s the safe time outlined by the USDA in their “Danger Zone” range. Once the food temp drops, they may become too unhealthy to eat.
How to Keep Beans in the Fridge : Bean Recipes & More
FAQ
Can beans last 7 days in fridge?
Are beans still good after 2 weeks in fridge?
Are beans good after a week?
Can I eat beans that have been open for a week?
How long do cooked beans last in the fridge?
Your cooked beans last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. To store them, let the beans cool down after cooking, then pop them in the refrigerator within an hour. Getting them stored quickly and chilled in the fridge will help prevent the growth of bacteria. If you want beans to keep, store them in an airtight container.
Can baked beans be refrigerated?
Both store-bought and homemade baked beans last up to five days in a fridge when stored in an airtight container. If it is not long enough to suit your needs, you may freeze the beans for longer shelf life. You must allow the baked beans to cool down before refrigerating.
Do frozen beans need to be refrigerated?
Fresh beans are best kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container and frozen beans should remain frozen in the freezer. Once cooked, beans should be stored in a tightly closed container to keep out moisture and other contaminants and placed in the fridge.
How long do baked beans last?
The cooked beans have a shorter shelf life, and it lasts for 3-5 days when refrigerated properly. Both store-bought and homemade baked beans last up to five days in a fridge when stored in an airtight container. If it is not long enough to suit your needs, you may freeze the beans for longer shelf life.