As a budget-friendly source of plant-based protein, fiber, and key nutrients, kidney beans have secured a spot in many weekly meal plans. But cooked beans are perishable, which begs the question – how long do they last refrigerated before spoiling?
This guide will uncover how fridge storage impacts kidney bean safety and quality over time. You’ll learn techniques to maximize shelf life identify when beans are past prime and safely incorporate cooked kidney beans into your diet.
An Overview of Cooked Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are large red beans named for their kidney-like shape. They have a creamy texture and earthy, savory flavor when cooked.
Cooking dried kidney beans involves soaking then simmering them until tender. Canned kidney beans can also be used. Once cooked, kidney beans contain:
- Fiber
- Folate
- Iron
- Potassium
- Protein
- Magnesium
Thanks to their high nutrient content kidney beans are considered a healthy meat alternative and plant-based protein source. But cooked beans must be handled properly to avoid foodborne illness.
How Long Do Cooked Kidney Beans Last Refrigerated?
Cooked kidney beans will maintain best quality for:
- 3-5 days in the fridge
They remain safe to eat, but with declining quality, for:
- 5-7 days in the fridge
The optimal storage window of 3-5 days maximizes flavor, texture and nutrition retention. Beans start softening and losing appeal beyond 5 days.
Always rely on your sense of sight, smell and taste – not just the calendar. Discard beans that smell, look or taste off, no matter the storage timeframe.
Proper Storage for Maximizing Fridge Shelf Life
To get the full 5 days of optimal quality from cooked kidney beans, follow these fridge storage tips:
- Chill beans within 1-2 hours of cooking.
- Store beans in a sealed airtight container.
- Place container on a fridge shelf, not the door.
- Use oldest beans first when meal prepping.
- Check beans for signs of spoilage before use.
The quicker cooked beans are refrigerated, the better. Exposure to air and warm temps accelerate spoilage. An airtight container prevents moisture loss.
Prioritize eating older batches of beans within 5 days. And inspect beans for an “off” odor, color changes or sliminess before consuming.
Identifying Spoiled Cooked Kidney Beans
Always rely on your senses, not just the fridge storage duration, to determine kidney bean safety and quality. Watch for:
- Sour, unpleasant odor
- Mushy texture
- Visible mold
- Change in color
Discard beans exhibiting any of the above, as bacteria may be actively growing. Do not taste questionable beans. When in doubt, toss it out.
Safely reheating beans will not eliminate toxins or bacteria from spoiled foods. So inspection prior to use is critical.
Delicious Ways to Use Refrigerated Cooked Kidney Beans
Enjoy cooked kidney beans within 5 days in recipes like:
- Hearty chili
- Burritos and tacos
- Rice and bean bowls
- Soups and stews
- Salads with kidney bean dressing
- Veggie burgers
- Kidney bean hummus
- Bean dips with crackers
Stir beans into pasta dishes, sauté them with veggies, purée them for dips – the possibilities are endless! Having pre-cooked beans in the fridge makes wholesome plant-based meals come together quickly.
The Takeaway: 5 Days Max for Cooked Kidney Beans
When stored in a sealed container in the fridge, cooked kidney beans stay fresh and usable for 3-5 days. But quality diminishes after day 5, despite beans remaining safe to eat.
Maximize shelf life by chilling beans soon after cooking and relying on your senses to check for spoilage. Discard beans with an off smell, appearance or texture.
With proper refrigeration habits, you can safely enjoy cooked kidney beans in recipes for up to 5 days. Just be diligent about storage and inspection before eating.
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
KIDNEY BEANS, COMMERCIALLY CANNED OR BOTTLED — OPENED. FOOD STORAGE – HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP.
FAQ
Can you eat cooked beans after 5 days?
Can I eat 7 day old beans?
How long can I keep boiled kidney beans in the fridge?
How do you know if beans have gone bad?
How long do cooked kidney beans last?
For dry beans, an airtight container is your best bet for maintaining freshness for up to two to three years. When dealing with cooked kidney beans, refrigeration is essential. Use covered glass or plastic containers to maintain moisture and prevent contamination. You can expect your cooked beans to last for about 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Can you freeze refried beans?
Freezing refried beans is a simple and practical solution for dealing with leftovers. You can reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
Do kidney beans need to be refrigerated?
Keep in a cool, dry, and dark place to protect from light and moisture. Once cooked, kidney beans should be stored in the fridge to maintain freshness. Let the beans cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container before refrigerating. Storage in the fridge can keep leftover beans good for up to 3-4 days.
How long do beans last in the fridge?
The answer to this question depends on how you store your beans. If kept in the refrigerator, they can usually last up to five days. However, leaving them out on the counter will cause them to spoil more quickly. For optimal nutrition and flavor, it is best to cook beans within five days of purchase.