Putting home-canned food in your pantry during the winter is a great idea, and this guide on how to can pinto beans will help you do just that!
You might wonder why can pinto beans, when they keep so well dried. Well… it’s all about convenience. If you grow your own beans like my family does, drying them is the best way to keep enough to last the whole year.
However, we all have those days when we need something fast. Or at least, I know I do. And it’s nice to be able to do that without sacrificing quality.
Additionally, it is helpful to keep hearty foods on hand for those rare occasions when the power goes out and you need something quick and easy to make. These beans, as well as so many other home-canned goods like canned vegetable soup make that so easy.
Canning your own soup beans at home is a great way to save money and have delicious, homemade soup ready anytime. Here is a complete guide to safely canning soup beans in your kitchen.
Why Can Your Own Soup Beans?
Canning soup beans has many benefits
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Cost Savings – Buying canned beans can get expensive. Canning your own allows you to buy dried beans in bulk for significant savings. A 1 pound bag of dried beans makes around 6 jars of canned beans.
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Control Ingredients – You can control exactly what goes into your canned soup beans by making them from scratch No unwanted preservatives or additives
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Customize Flavors – Add your own choice of seasonings and flavors to make your signature soup bean blend.
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Convenience – Homemade canned soup beans are ready to use anytime without having to soak and cook dried beans. Just open the jar, heat, and eat!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for safely canning perfect soup beans at home:
1. Select Beans
You can use any type of dried bean including
- Navy beans
- Kidney beans
- Pinto beans
- Black beans
- Garbanzo beans
- Great northern beans
Avoid lentils and split peas as they turn mushy when canned.
2. Rinse and Soak Beans
Rinse the dried beans thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Pick out and discard any rocks or damaged beans.
Soak beans fully before canning:
- Place beans in a large bowl and cover with 2-3 inches of water.
- Let soak for 12-24 hours at room temperature.
- Drain and rinse soaked beans.
Soaking ensures beans cook evenly and soften completely during canning.
3. Prepare Canning Equipment
Assemble all canning equipment before starting:
- Canning jars with new lids and bands
- Water bath canner or large pot with rack
- Jar lifter
- Bubble removal tool
- Clean towels
Wash and rinse all equipment. Heat water bath canner filled halfway with water to 180°F.
4. Cook the Beans
In a large pot, cover soaked beans with fresh water by 2-3 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes. Beans should be very soft but not falling apart.
5. Fill Jars
Ladle hot beans into clean, warm canning jars leaving 1 inch of headspace. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt to each pint jar or 1 teaspoon per quart.
Slide a bubble removal tool along the inside of the jar to release any trapped air bubbles. Wipe jar rims with a clean, damp towel.
Center lids on jars and screw bands on fingertip tight. Do not overtighten.
6. Process Jars
Use a jar lifter to gently lower filled jars into the water bath canner filled with 180°F water.
Process pint jars for 75 minutes or quart jars for 90 minutes at altitudes of 0-1,000 ft. See complete processing time table below.
Once processing time is complete, turn off heat and let canner depressurize naturally. Wait 5 minutes before removing lid.
7. Cool and Store
Carefully lift jars from canner and set upright on a towel. Leave 1-2 inches between jars for air circulation.
Let cool completely undisturbed for 12-24 hours. Check lids for an airtight seal once completely cooled.
Wipe down jar exteriors, label, and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
Helpful Canning Tips
- Salt is optional but helps preserve flavor and texture.
- You can customize your bean blend by adding onions, garlic, or spices to the cooking water.
- Process beans in a pressure canner at 11 PSI if living above 1,000 feet altitude.
- Beans will darken slightly but this does not affect safety or taste.
Complete Processing Time Table
Use these USDA-recommend processing times for safely canning soup beans:
Water Bath Canning
| Jar Size | 0-1,000 ft Altitude | 1,001-3,000 ft | 3,001-6,000 ft | Above 6,000 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pints | 75 min | 80 min | 85 min | 90 min |
| Quarts | 90 min | 95 min | 100 min | 105 min |
Pressure Canning
| Jar Size | Dial Gauge | Weighted Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Pints & Quarts | 11 PSI | 10 lbs |
FAQs About Canning Soup Beans
Get answers to some common questions about home canning beans below.
Can I customize my soup bean blend?
Yes! Feel free to add onions, garlic, bouillon, spices, or other flavorings to the cooking water. Avoid dairy, tomatoes, or thickeners.
What causes floating beans?
This is caused by trapped air bubbles. Use a bubble tool prior to processing to release all air pockets.
Why do my beans turn dark?
Darkening is natural and caused by acids reacting with minerals in the bean skin. It does not affect safety or taste.
Can I reuse bean cooking liquid as the jar liquid?
No, the bean liquid should be drained and replaced with fresh hot water before filling jars. Reusing bean liquid can cause cloudiness.
Is it safe to can previously frozen beans?
Yes, thawed frozen beans can be safely canned using the same method. Make sure beans are fully thawed before soaking and canning.
Can I use an Instant Pot to cook beans before canning?
Absolutely! Cook beans using the pressure cook setting for 15-20 minutes until very soft. Proceed with remaining canning steps.
Enjoy Your Homemade Canned Soup Beans!
Now that you know the simple process, you can start enjoying convenient, homemade canned soup beans. The jars make great gifts too.
Feel free to experiment with different bean varieties and customize flavors until you create your favorite soup bean blend.
Always be sure to follow the tested processing times and methods for safely canned beans that you can trust. Never use open kettle canning or oven canning methods.
Happy homemade soup bean canning!
Canning funnels, jar lifters, etc.
I’ll be honest, I don’t get into a lot of extra canning paraphernalia. It all ends up being a lot of clutter. No magnets or specialized equipment for me, except for a canning funnel. I do find that one useful in order to keep my jar rims clean.
How to can pinto beans
It’s simple to can pinto beans, but you may have seen more than one way to do it. Let me show you mine.