Beans are an incredibly healthy and versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes. However, cooking dried beans can be time consuming and tricky to get just right. Using a rice cooker is an easy “set it and forget it” hands-off way to cook perfect beans every time.
What You’ll Need
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Dried beans – any type will work! Popular options are black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, etc.
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Rice cooker
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Water
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Seasonings (optional) – try garlic, onions, bay leaves, salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, etc.
Step-By-Step Instructions
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Rinse the beans. Place the dried beans in a strainer and rinse thoroughly under cool running water. This removes any dirt or debris.
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Soak the beans (optional), Soaking is an optional step that can help reduce cooking time Place beans in a large bowl and cover with 2-3 inches of water Soak for 8 hours or up to overnight,
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Drain and rinse. Drain the soaked beans and give them another quick rinse.
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Add beans and water to rice cooker. Add the drained beans to the rice cooker. Generally you’ll want a 1:2 bean to water ratio. For example, for 1 cup of dried beans add 2 cups water.
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Season (optional). At this point you can add any desired seasonings to flavor the beans Try garlic, onions, cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, etc
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Cook on high setting. Turn the rice cooker on to the high or “white rice” setting. Cook for 1-2 hours until beans are fork tender.
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Check and add water if needed. Occasionally check the beans and add more water if needed to keep the beans submerged.
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Allow to natural release. Once the beans are cooked through, allow the rice cooker to switch to the “keep warm” setting. Let the beans sit for 10-15 minutes in the cooker before opening.
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Enjoy beans! Drain any excess water from the beans. They are now ready to use in recipes, freeze, or enjoy as a side dish!
Tips for Cooking Beans in a Rice Cooker
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Soaking is optional but can reduce cook time by 30-50%. Skip if short on time.
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Add spices and seasonings at the beginning to flavor the beans.
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Check and stir beans occasionally and add more water if needed.
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Natural release for 10-15 minutes before opening lid to prevent burst beans.
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Cook times vary based on bean type and age. Older beans take longer.
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Don’t add salt during cooking or beans will remain tough. Season after.
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Clean rice cooker thoroughly after use to prevent bean flavors transferring.
The Benefits of Using a Rice Cooker
Cooking beans in a rice cooker has many advantages:
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Hands-free method – Just set it and forget it! No need to watch a pot.
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Consistent results – Rice cookers cook beans perfectly every time.
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Cooks while you’re away – Make beans while at work or sleeping.
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Perfectly tender beans – Rice cookers distribute heat evenly.
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No sticking or burning – Unlike on the stovetop.
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Food safe – Rice cookers automatically switch to a warm setting.
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Space saving – Cooks in one compact appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of beans work best?
Almost any type of dried bean will work well in a rice cooker. Some popular choices are black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, chickpeas, and navy beans. Avoid lentils and split peas which cook more quickly.
Do beans need to be soaked first?
Soaking is an optional step that can decrease cook time but isn’t required. If you’re short on time you can cook the beans without soaking. Just be prepared for longer cook times.
How much water should be used?
As a general rule of thumb, use a 1:2 bean to water ratio. For 1 cup of dried beans, add 2 cups of water. The exact amount can vary based on your preferred bean texture.
How long does it take to cook beans?
Cook times can range from 1-3 hours depending on the bean type, age of the beans, and whether they’ve been soaked. Test for doneness and add cooking time as needed.
Can any seasonings be added?
Yes! Feel free to add any dried herbs, spices, aromatics, or seasonings to the beans. Popular options are cumin, garlic, bay leaves, onion, chili powder, etc. Avoid adding salt during cooking.
Do beans need to be stirred?
Occasionally checking and stirring is recommended to ensure even cooking. You can also add more water if needed.
Why natural release?
Allowing the rice cooker to naturally release steam rather than immediately opening helps prevent cracked beans.
Recipes to Try
The possibilities are endless when it comes to recipes using rice cooker beans! Here are just a few ideas:
- Bean chili or soup
- Burrito bowls
- Tacos with rice cooker refried beans
- Veggie bean burgers
- Hummus
- Bean salads like 3 bean or chickpea salad
- Baked beans
- Bean dips and spreads
Conclusion
Using a rice cooker is an easy, hands-off way to cook perfect beans with no supervision needed. Simply soak and season the beans, set the rice cooker, and come back to tender beans ready for any recipe. Rice cookers make cooking beans approachable for even novice cooks. The method frees up stove and oven space, and allows you to wake up to ready-to-eat beans. There’s no need to watch a pot or stress about burning. Give it a try with this easy bean rice cooker method!
Master the Art of Cooking Beans in a Rice Cooker
You like beans but don’t like how long it takes to cook them? Don’t worry! With a rice cooker, you can make tasty and healthy beans without all the work. Through this article, we’ll show you how to cook beans in a rice cooker step by step, so you can always have perfectly cooked beans.
Step 4: Cooking the Beans
Place the lid on the rice cooker and set it to the “Cook” or “Regular” setting. Depending on the type of beans, the cooking time may vary between 1 to 2 hours. Keep an eye on the rice cooker and occasionally check the beans for tenderness. Once cooked, the beans should be soft and easily mashed between your fingers.