Hi all, today I am making veggie chili and i am using dried beans for the first time. Red beans and black beans. dried beans were put in separate pots with 5 cups of water and about 1 pound of them. The pots were heated to a boil for 2 minutes, and then the lids were put on and left on for an hour. The thing is the beans never got soft and tender, and it had been well over an hour. I thought, “Okay, they’ll cook the rest of the way in the chili, especially if I put it in the crock pot for hours.” am beginning to believe that I was wrong and that I should throw out this whole batch of chili I read that beans should never be cooked with tomato sauce because it is too acidic, and I already said that. Does anyone have any ideas? Is this a lost cause? What if I used an immersion blender on the beans? Would that help them cook better?
Chili is an iconic comfort food. With its savory, spicy blend of meat, beans, and vegetables simmered into a hearty stew, it warms you up on chilly days and satisfies your cravings. But to achieve maximum flavor, you have to get the details right – and one key step is knowing whether or not to drain canned beans before adding them to the chili.
So what happens if you don’t drain canned beans for chili? Let’s dig into the details, so you can make the best choice for your next pot.
An Excess of Liquid Dilutes Flavor
Canned beans are packed in a salty liquid, which contains water, preservatives, starch from the beans, and sometimes other seasonings or ingredients If you simply dump the entire contents of the can into your chili, all that liquid significantly thins out the texture
This excess liquid ends up diluting the rich concentration of flavors from the meats, spices, tomatoes and other ingredients. Your chili ends up lacking the robust, intensely savory taste it should have.
Draining off most of the canning liquid helps avoid diluting the flavors and allows you to control the thickness of the chili based on your preferences
Saltiness Goes Overboard
In addition to containing water and bean starches, the liquid canned beans are packed in is quite salty. This saltiness acts as a preservative and adds flavor.
But combined with the seasonings and meats you add to chili, it can easily make the final dish unpalatably salty and one-note if you include all the canning liquid.
Draining removes some of the excess sodium allowing you to better control the seasoning of your chili. You can always add salt and spices to taste after the flavors have melded.
Texture Suffers from Too Much Liquid
Chili should have a rich, thick texture, even if you prefer it soupier rather than super thick. But if you don’t drain those canned beans, be prepared for a thin, watery result.
All that canning liquid turns the chili into more of a bean soup consistency instead of the satisfying spoon-coating texture it should possess. Draining gives you control over the finished thickness.
Bean Quality Declines from Absorbed Liquid
If you store canned beans after opening with all that liquid still in the can, it can have a detrimental effect on the beans’ texture.
The starchy, salty liquid causes the beans to become unpleasantly soft and mushy. It also imparts a tinny and metallic flavor from the can.
Draining the liquid right after opening avoids the beans absorbing these undesirable qualities that can ruin your chili.
Easy Ways to Drain Canned Beans
Draining canned beans is simple. You can:
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Pour into a mesh strainer or colander and shake out the excess liquid.
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Carefully pour into a bowl, leaving the liquid behind in the can.
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Open the can and use a spoon to press against the inside rim as you tilt it over the sink, draining the liquid while keeping the beans in place.
Be sure to save any flavorful liquid to add back as needed for moisture and taste once the chili is cooked.
Tips for the Best Chili Texture
While you want to drain most of the liquid from canned beans, you can use a few tricks to maximize the chili’s texture:
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Reserve a spoonful or two of the bean liquid to add back for moisture.
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Mash a few beans and stir them back into the chili to thicken it.
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If needed, thicken with a sprinkle of cornstarch or masa harina after cooking.
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Let chili sit overnight in the fridge – this allows flavors to develop and chili to thicken up.
How Much Liquid to Drain?
There’s no exact amount of liquid you need to drain from canned beans. But here are some guidelines:
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For firmer beans, drain thoroughly, even rinsing them.
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To retain some bean flavor and moisture, drain mostly but not completely.
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For very thick chili, drain beans completely and add back liquid gradually only as needed.
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If you want a thinner chili texture, leave a bit more liquid or add reserved liquid after.
Draining canned beans before adding them to chili makes a huge difference in the final flavor and texture. Though it may seem easier to skip this step, the results are well worth the minimal effort.
Follow these tips to turn out rich, saucy chili with the ideal thickness every time. Don’t settle for thin, watery chili – learn when to drain those canned beans! Your taste buds will thank you.
The SHOCKING SECRET to great chili
FAQ
Is it OK to not drain beans for chili?
What happens if you don’t drain and rinse beans?
Is the liquid in canned beans bad for you?
What happens if you don’t soak beans before cooking?
Should you drain chili beans?
If you like your chili to have a thicker consistency, then draining the beans is definitely a good idea. By removing the excess liquid, you can create a heartier and more robust dish. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more soupy chili, leaving the liquid in the beans might be the way to go.
Can you drain beans after cooking?
Once you cook your chili or any other dish with beans, you don’t drain the beans. You can decide to boil your beans separately before you add them to various dishes. And if you do that, you can drain them as well. It is important to note not to drain the beans after you cook them in different seasonings.
Should beans be rinsed before making chili?
If you are following a sodium-restricted diet, it is therefore better to drain the beans, and it’s suggested that you rinse them as well before adding them to the chili. (Simply use a sieve over the sink for draining and rinsing.)
Should you keep a can of beans in chili?
On the other hand, keeping the liquid from the beans can add extra flavor and thickness to the chili. The liquid in the can of beans contains starches and other substances that can help thicken the chili and add a rich, savory flavor.