Do You Have to Soak Red Beans Before Cooking in a Crock Pot?

Find out everything you need to know about How to Cook Dried Beans in a CrockPot or Slow Cooker! I tried cooking beans that had been soaked and beans that had not been soaked. This post has everything you need to know to make perfect slow cooker beans.

It’s important to know how to cook dried beans in a crockpot slow cooker because this post explains why I believe it’s worth the time and effort to make your own beans from scratch. It also shows you how to easily cook dried beans in a slow cooker and discusses the differences in cooking times and outcomes between soaking and not soaking beans. This post has all the information you need to make perfect slow cooker beans.

After you learn how easy it is to cook dried beans in a slow cooker, you won’t want to buy canned beans again. Instead of buying canned beans, I think you should cook up a bunch of dried beans to store in the freezer. You’ll save money, and the beans you cook yourself will taste a lot better!.

Red beans are a versatile legume that can be used in many delicious dishes. Their rich, earthy flavor pairs perfectly with rice meat, and vegetables. One of the most convenient ways to cook red beans is in a crock pot or slow cooker. The low slow cooking allows the beans to become tender and infuse with flavor. But do you need to soak red beans before cooking them in a crock pot?

The Benefits of Soaking Red Beans

Soaking red beans before cooking provides some useful benefits:

Shortens cooking time Beans that have been soaked can cook faster sometimes cutting hours off the cooking time. This allows them to cook thoroughly in the crock pot.
Improves texture Soaking helps hydrate the beans, leading to a creamier texture once cooked The skins also soften, making them less likely to split
Boosts digestibility: Soaked beans are easier on the digestive system since the indigestible sugars that cause gas have been leached out by soaking.
Enhances flavor: Soaking can help remove any impurities or dust on the bean skins. This leads to cleaner, more delicious flavor.

Soaking Guidelines for Red Beans

If you opt to soak your red beans before crock pot cooking, follow these tips:

Time: Soak the beans for 8-12 hours or overnight. This sufficiently hydrates them.
Water: Use plenty of water, at least 3-4 cups per 1 cup of beans. The beans should be fully submerged.
Drain and rinse: Drain the soaking water and give the beans a good rinse before cooking. Discard any beans that float or appear damaged.
Quick soak: Boil the beans for 2-3 minutes, remove from heat, and soak for 1 hour. This shortens the soaking time.

Cooking Unsoaked Beans in a Crock Pot

It’s absolutely possible to cook red beans in the crock pot without pre-soaking. However, there are a few important considerations:

Longer cooking time: Unsoked beans can take 50-100% longer to become tender, sometimes up to 16 hours on low. Check frequently for doneness.
More liquid: Unsoked beans absorb more liquid as they cook. Make sure the crock pot has enough broth or water to avoid drying out.
Potential texture issues: Without soaking, the bean skins may split and the insides can remain a bit tough and grainy. Stir occasionally to help.
Digestive discomfort: Since unsoaked beans retain more indigestible compounds, they are more likely to cause gas or bloating for some people.

Tips for Cooking Unsoaked Red Beans

If you decide to cook red beans in the crock pot without soaking, these tips will help:

Use small beans rather than large kidney beans, as they cook faster.
Cut the beans in half with kitchen shears to reduce cooking time.
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to help soften the skins.
Check often for doneness, up to 14-16 hours on low.
Stir occasionally and add more liquid if needed to prevent scorching.

While soaking red beans provides benefits like faster cooking and better texture, it is possible to cook them unsoaked in the crock pot. Just be prepared for a longer cook time and potential texture issues. For best results, soak the beans overnight or use a quick soak method. But with a some patience and care, you can still achieve tender, flavorful red beans without an advance soak.

Soaking red beans before crock pot cooking has advantages but is not strictly required.
Soaked beans cook faster, have better texture, are easier to digest, and offer cleaner flavor.
If cooking beans unsoaked, use extra liquid and cook for up to 16 hours, checking frequently for doneness.
Small beans, cut beans, and a pinch of baking soda can help reduce cook time for unsoaked beans.

Either way, red beans cooked low and slow in the crock pot result in a delicious, hearty dish. With a few adjustments, you can create flavorful crock pot beans with or without a pre-soak!

do you have to soak red beans before cooking in crock pot

Which Beans Did I Prefer?

I couldn’t really tell any difference in the flavor or texture of the soaked vs. unsoaked beans. Both methods produced about 6 cups of cooked beans from 2 cups of dried beans. I froze my beans in 2 cup containers to use in recipes.

This recipe is now in a new section called Weekend Food Prep. This is where you can find recipes that you can cook or prepare on the weekend and then eat during the week!

do you have to soak red beans before cooking in crock pot

What size slow cooker should you use?

I would use a 3.5 Quart Slow Cooker (affiliate link) to cook 2 cups of dried beans. You can increase the amount of beans for a larger size cooker. I don’t think the size of the slow cooker is especially crucial for this method cooking beans, but it is important that the slow cooker is at least half full (counting the water) for it to cook well.

How to Quick-Soak Beans

FAQ

What happens if you don’t soak beans before cooking in a crock pot?

If you’re the impatient, bean-hungry type, you can cook your beans from dry without any soaking at all. Here’s the thing: Beans that have not been soaked ahead of time will always take longer to cook, but they will, indeed, cook.

How long to soak red beans before crockpot?

Add water to cover beans by 3 to 4 inches. Let beans soak overnight or 6 hours covered on the counter. Use colander to drain and rinse beans before cooking. Place soaked beans in crock pot.

How long to cook red beans without soaking?

Bring cold water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over high heat. Add beans and salt, and return to a simmer; cover. Bake beans in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 hour and 10 minutes, checking after 30 minutes to ensure beans are still covered with water.

What happens if you don’t pre soak beans?

Modern cooking websites often say it doesn’t matter. In a way, they’re both right. Soaking beans can help improve the texture of the final product once the beans are cooked and reduce the gas produced when the food is being digested. But it isn’t necessary to soak them.

Can you cook red beans in a crock pot?

Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe for cooking red beans in a crock pot. Soak the beans: Start by soaking the dried red beans overnight. Place them in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let them soak for at least 8 hours, or overnight. This will help soften the beans and reduce the cooking time.

Can one eat beans raw?

Most beans and many other legumes are unsafe to eat raw. They contain a compound called lecithin, a glycoprotein that, when undercooked or raw, is toxic.

Do you need to soak red beans before cooking?

Soaking red beans before cooking them in a crock pot is not necessary. Unlike some other beans, red beans do not require pre-soaking as they cook relatively quickly. Simply rinse the beans and add them directly to the crock pot. Can I cook red beans without sautéing any vegetables first?

Can you cook dried beans in a crock pot?

Pick over the dry beans and discard any broken or shriveled looking ones. Put 2 cups dried beans into the slow cooker crock and soak overnight in cold water, enough to cover by several inches. The next day, drain the beans and discard the cooking water. Put soaked beans back into the slow cooker and add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches.