This 30-Minute, Easy Mung Bean recipe is simple, creamy, herbaceous, and tasty. It shows you the basics of how to cook mung beans. These mung beans, which are common in India and East Asia, are cooked simply in white wine with herbs. They are soft and tasty. You can use these mung beans as a base for a Buddha bowl or as a tasty side dish. They are easy to make and will make any meal taste better. This simple recipe is great for when you want to add mung beans to your life. It’s also a great place to start if you’re wondering “how to cook mung beans.”
Mung beans are becoming an increasingly popular legume, prized for their versatility, nutrition, and ease of preparation. Though small, their mighty nutritional profile packs a punch, making them a handy staple to keep on hand. Ready to learn how to unlock the magic of mung beans? Read on for a complete guide to selecting, storing, and preparing mung beans.
Mung beans sometimes called moong beans or green gram are small green legumes native to India. They have a bright green exterior and a small yellow interior.
These mighty beans boast an impressive nutritional profile. Just one cup contains:
- 15g fiber
- 15g protein
- Folate, phosphorus, potassium, iron, and vitamin K
The fiber and protein combo make mung beans particularly beneficial for gut health, heart health, and stabilizing blood sugar levels Their fast cooking time also makes them one of the most beginner-friendly legumes to prepare
Buying and Storing Mung Beans
When shopping, look for whole mung beans that are uniform in size and vibrant green in color. Avoid any beans that appear shriveled, cracked, or dull.
Store beans in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They will keep for up to a year, though their cooking time will increase with age. For maximum freshness and minimum cooking time, try to use beans within a few months of purchase.
You can also find split and hulled mung beans, known as mung dal. Since the outer skin is removed, these cook faster but have slightly less fiber.
Preparing Mung Beans
Rinse beans before cooking. Place 1 cup beans in a large pot with 3 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes; drain well.
The liquid-to-bean ratio can be adjusted to yield the desired consistency. More water = soupier beans. Less water = thicker, more stew-like beans.
Cooking Methods
There are several ways to cook mung beans to plump perfection:
Stovetop:
The stovetop method is hands down the easiest way to achieve perfect mung beans. Simmering gives you control to monitor doneness and pull them off heat at the ideal level of tenderness for your recipe. It only takes about 30 minutes – no presoaking required.
Instant Pot:
Take care when cooking mung beans in the Instant Pot. The quick release function increases temperature and can burst beans’ cell walls, quickly rendering them to mush.
For intact, tender beans, add 1 cup beans and 3 cups water to Instant Pot. Seal and cook at high pressure for 0 minutes, allowing a 10 minute natural release before quick releasing any remaining pressure.
Slow Cooker:
To “set and forget” mung beans, add 1 cup beans and 3 cups water to a slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, testing frequently at the end of cooking.
Sprouting:
Mung beans can also be sprouted for use in salads, sandwiches, and more. Simply soak overnight, then rinse and drain twice per day until sprouts form to your desired length in 2-5 days.
Tips for Cooking Perfection
Follow these tips for delicious, perfectly cooked mung beans every time:
- Rinse before cooking to remove dirt or debris
- Pick over for any stones or imperfect beans
- Use a 3:1 water-to-bean ratio and adjust as needed
- Simmer until beans reach desired tenderness
- Drain any excess cooking liquid after cooking
- Allow beans to cool in liquid, then drain to prevent overcooking
Undercooked beans will be crunchy and tough. Overcooked beans will be mushy and shapeless. With the tricks above, you’ll be able to achieve tender beans with an intact shape and skin.
Using Up Leftover Mung Beans
Home cooked mung beans will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated and up to 3 months frozen. To freeze, portion into bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
Leftover cooked mung beans are extremely versatile. They make excellent additions to:
- Buddha bowls
- Curries, stews, and soups
- Burgers and veggie balls
- Salads
- Soups and chilis
- Hummus
- Rice and grain bowls
Whole mung beans maintain their shape when cooked al dente, providing a satisfying heartiness. Softer, mushier beans work well blended into dips, pureed into soups, or holding together veggie patties.
Satisfying Mung Bean Recipes
Here are some flavorful recipes to put your perfectly cooked mung beans to delicious use:
- Mung Bean Curry – aromatic coconut curry
- Mung Bean Burgers – hearty, protein-packed patties
- Mung Bean Hummus – smooth, velvety dip
- Mung Bean Soup – cozy, warming, and soothing
- Chana Dal Salad – protein and spice make a flavorful side
- Dal Makhani – the famous creamy, buttery, slow-cooked lentil dish
The options are endless for using up every last bean. Soups, salads, veggie burgers, rice bowls, blended into hummus – mung beans are endlessly versatile.
With this complete guide to selecting, preparing, and storing mung beans, you can start whipping up delectable bean-based dishes. Master these cooking techniques to achieve mung bean perfection.
Looking for More Bean Recipes? Try one of these!
Mung beans are most commonly eaten across Asia, from India, to China, to the Middle East. Although you might not know it, it is very likely that you’ve had mung beans before, in the form of bean sprouts! They are closely related to lentils (which is why I chose to treat them very similarly in this dish). You can likely find them at your local Asian grocery store, health food market, or online. Mung beans can be purchased whole or split- I use split mung beans because they have a shorter cook time- and are typically added to curries and stews.
Mung Bean Nutritional Information
Although mung beans are not yet hugely popular in the United States, it’s really only a matter of time until these protein-packed peas become popular. They are high in protein (about 14 grams for a cup of cooked beans) and fiber, and low in fat. They are more nutritious than many other beans, and contain high levels of potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, folate and B vitamins. Like many vegan foods, they are a great, healthy option, and have all sorts of health benefits (you can read more about those here).
How to Cook Mung Beans
FAQ
Do mung beans need to be soaked before cooking?
How long do mung beans take to cook?
What does mung bean do to your body?
Is mung bean better raw or boiled?
How do you cook mung beans?
There are a few different ways you can cook mung beans: Stovetop Method: In a large pot, add the soaked and rinsed mung beans and 4 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 30-40 minutes or until the beans are tender. Remember to stir occasionally and add more water if necessary.
What is the difference between yellow beans and split mung beans?
The yellow beans has grains in a rounded shape and of different shades of yellow. It is a very traditional bean and appreciated by Brazilian cuisine in the south and southeast regions. Mung bean is a typical food of Hindu and Asian uisine. It is characterized by having a dark green color on the inside. In addition, it has a slightly sweet taste, a soft consistency and a freshness similar to that of lentils.
How to cook dried mung beans?
Before you can cook dried mung beans, it’s important to soak them first. This helps to soften the beans and reduce the cooking time. Start by rinsing the beans under cold water to remove any impurities. Then, place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with several inches of water.
Are yellow mung beans easy to cook?
The yellow mung beans also known as yellow moong dal can be whole or split, and they are most easy to cook. Instant pot moong dal fry using yellow split mung beans is even more easier to make! 2 how long to cook mung beans or monggo beans? 3 how long to cook mung beans in instant pot? 4 how to cook whole mung beans?