Learn how to cook kidney beans from scratch with this simple step-by-step tutorial. Covering three different ways to cook dried kidney beans, youll end up with creamy, perfectly-cooked beans every time.
We are huge fans of beans here on HNL, especially if theyre cooked from scratch. So much tastier than canned! Less salty! And so affordable!.
We’ve already talked about how to cook black beans, black eyed peas, and more. Today, we’re going to go over how to cook red kidney beans from scratch in more detail.
When you have a batch of perfectly cooked kidney beans on hand, you can make a lot of great meals. They taste great and are creamy. Because they are bigger, they work well in many recipes, like our Vegetarian Chili Recipe.
Kidney beans, also known as rajma, are a versatile bean used in many cuisines around the world. When cooking dried kidney beans from scratch, it’s important to know how long they take to cook through fully to get the right texture. Undercooked kidney beans can be tough and unpleasant to eat. While overcooked beans can turn to mush. So how long should you cook kidney beans to get them just right?
Soaking Time Makes a Difference
Before cooking dried kidney beans, it’s essential to soak them first. This helps them cook more evenly and lowers the overall cooking time Beans that haven’t been soaked will take much longer to soften. For best results, soak the beans in water overnight or for 8-12 hours But if you’re short on time, you can quick soak them in warm water for 2-3 hours instead. Just be sure to discard the soaking water, as it contains compounds that can cause digestive issues if consumed. The longer you soak the beans, the less time they’ll need on the stove.
Stovetop Cooking Time
On the stovetop, it takes between 45 and 90 minutes to cook kidney beans, depending on the soaking time. Here are some general guidelines:
- Beans soaked overnight: 45-60 minutes
- Beans quick soaked 2-3 hours: 60-75 minutes
- Beans not soaked: 90-120 minutes
Bring the soaked beans and fresh water to a boil in a pot. Then reduce to a gentle simmer, partially covering with a lid. Stir periodically and add more water if needed to keep the beans submerged. They are done when fork tender and creamy. Some beans may split open, which is normal.
Check Doneness After 45 Minutes
It’s good to start checking kidney beans for doneness after about 45 minutes of cooking. Take a few beans out and squeeze them between your fingers. They should start feeling soft and creamy inside. If they still seem really firm, continue simmering and check again every 10-15 minutes until tender. Beans cooked at a rolling boil tend to split more than beans cooked at a gentle simmer.
Other Factors That Affect Cooking Time
A few other things can impact how long kidney beans take to become tender
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Age of the beans – Older beans generally take longer to soften up Buy beans from stores with good turnover,
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Water hardness – Hard water may increase cooking time slightly. Try adding a pinch of baking soda to soften.
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Acidity – Cooking beans in acidic ingredients like tomato can slow softening. Add tomatoes later.
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Salt – Salt toughens bean skins, delaying cooking. Season at the end.
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Bean variety – Certain varieties naturally take longer, like cannellini beans.
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Elevation – Beans cook slower at high altitudes. Increase cooking time.
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Appliance variables – Stovetop material, burner output, etc. affect time.
So bean cooking times can vary. Always check for doneness before taking beans off the heat. When in doubt, it’s better to err on the side of overcooking rather than undercooking for food safety. Perfectly cooked kidney beans should be completely softened all the way through but still hold their shape nicely.
Cooking Beans in a Pressure Cooker
Using a pressure cooker drastically decreases the cooking time for dried beans. Most types of beans take only about 20-30 minutes to become fork tender under pressure. For kidney beans, follow these steps:
- Soak beans overnight or quick soak 2-3 hours
- Drain soaking water and rinse beans
- Add beans and fresh water to pressure cooker pot
- Lock lid and bring to high pressure for 22-25 minutes
- Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes
- Release remaining pressure and check beans for doneness
The intense heat and pressure in a pressure cooker tenderizes the beans much faster than conventional cooking. Just make sure to properly soak them first.
Canned Beans Are Pre-Cooked
Canned kidney beans are already fully cooked and tender. They can be used straight from the can without additional cooking. Just drain and rinse them before adding to recipes. The main exceptions are when kidney beans are baked into casseroles or used for bean soups, where additional simmering helps marry the flavors. But canned beans only need brief cooking times of 10-15 minutes in most cases, just to heat through.
Don’t Eat Undercooked Kidney Beans
It’s important not to consume kidney beans that haven’t been thoroughly cooked. Raw and undercooked kidney beans contain lectin, a toxin that can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms if eaten. The time-consuming process of soaking and then boiling beans for the appropriate amount of time helps break down lectin to safe levels. People who eat undercooked kidney beans can develop a condition called “bean poisoning” or phytohaemagglutinin poisoning. Always cook beans fully to avoid this issue.
How to Tell When Kidney Beans Are Done
Here are some signs that kidney beans are ready to take off the heat:
- Squishy and creamy texture throughout when squeezed
- Easily squishable between tongue and roof of mouth
- No white color or solid chunks in the middle
- Fork or spoon can smash beans easily into a paste
- Skins may split but beans hold basic shape
- Soft enough to bite through skin without teeth getting stuck
Properly cooked beans should be uniformly smooth, creamy, and tender from skin to center. Taste a few beans at different spots in the pot to ensure even doneness. Then you can feel confident your kidney beans are fully cooked through and safe to enjoy in recipes!
Kidney Beans Conversion and Yield
Don’t worry about how many kidney beans you’ll get or how many dried beans to cook if a recipe calls for a can of kidney beans. We’ve done the math for you and rid of the need to guess.
Typically, dried kidney beans will triple in volume once cooked. So 1 cup of dried beans will yield 3 cups of cooked kidney beans.
- A 15-ounce can of kidney beans contains roughly 1. 5 cups of beans when drained.
- ½ cup dried kidney beans = 1. 5 cups of cooked beans.
- A 15-ounce can of kidney beans is equal to ½ cup of dried beans.
- About 6 cups of cooked kidney beans can be made from 1 pound of dried beans.
- Four 15-ounce cans of kidney beans are equal to 1 pound of dried beans.
Are Kidney Beans Toxic?
Heres the tl;dr: raw or undercooked kidney beans can be toxic, even in very small quantities. To do this, you would have to eat beans that have been soaked but not cooked or that have been cooked too slowly.
All beans contain lectins, however, kidney beans contain high amounts of a lectin called phytohemagglutinin (PHA), which can be toxic, even when just a few undercooked beans are consumed. This toxin can lead to vomiting and diarrhea within a few hours of eating the undercooked beans.
But kidney bean poisoning, as it is called, is very easy to avoid by cooking the beans the right way. To make sure kidney beans are safe to eat, they need to be boiled for at least 10 minutes at 100°C / 212°F.
How To Soak And Cook Kidney Beans
FAQ
How long to boil kidney beans for?
How long to cook kidney beans without soaking?
Why are my kidney beans taking so long to cook?
Do kidney beans need to be soaked?
How long do you cook kidney beans in a slow cooker?
Totally understandable. All you need to do is boil the kidney beans for a minimum of 10 minutes on the stovetop, and then transfer them to the slow cooker for the remaining cooking time. It will take 2-3 hours on high, or 4-5 hours on low for the kidney beans to finish cooking.
How long does it take to cook dry beans?
If you’re cooking dry beans from scratch, it takes 90-120 minutes to cook them on the stovetop. You can cook them faster (about 20-30 minutes) in a pressure cooker.
How long does it take to cook kidney beans?
Add 10 cups of water if you are cooking a pound (about two cups) of kidney beans. Add two bay leaves if desired. Bring the pot to a boil for a few minutes, then reduce heat to a simmer for about 45 minutes and up to 90 minutes. You’ll know kidney beans are cooked when they are tender and creamy. Some of them may split open.
How do you cook kidney beans in a crock pot?
Drain the kidney beans from the soaking water. Place them in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add 10 cups of water if you are cooking a pound (about two cups) of kidney beans. Add two bay leaves if desired. Bring the pot to a boil for a few minutes, then reduce heat to a simmer for about 45 minutes and up to 90 minutes.