Pinto beans are a staple in many people’s kitchens, but how long do pinto beans last in the fridge? The article below aims at investigating how long you can store cooked pinto beans in the fridge. It is worth highlighting that uncooked pinto beans don’t need to be stored in the fridge they actually store best at room temperature as compared to cooked pinto beans.
Contents
How long pinto beans last in the fridge
Pinto beans last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, it is important to use them within that time frame in order to avoid disappointment. In order to ensure that cooked pinto beans last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days you need to use the right technique for storing cooked pinto beans.
How to store pinto beans in the fridge
Step 1
In order to ensure that pinto beans last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days you have to start by letting them cool down after cooking. This is because if you store them while hot they will cause the temperature of the fridge to change.
Step 2
Once the cooked pinto beans have cooled down you have to divide them into smaller portions. For example you can place 1 cup of pinto beans in each container. You should use air tight containers or freezer bags to store pinto beans.
Step 3
Once you have packaged the pinto beans you have to place them in the refrigerator. Leftover pinto beans will last for 4 to 5 days in the fridge.
NB: you can store pinto beans with their liquid. You just have to add the liquid to the container and make sure that you tightly close the container.
Other methods for storing pinto beans
How to store pinto beans in the freezer
NB: storing pinto beans in the freezer is actually the best method. This is because it extends the shelf life of cooked pinto beans to about 6 months.
Step 1
When storing cooked pinto beans in the freezer you have to start by letting them cool down. This is because freezing pinto beans while they are still hot is not advisable.
Step 2
Once the pinto beans have cooled down you need to divide them into smaller portions. For example you can place 1 cup of pinto beans in each container. Pinto beans can also be stored with their liquid (that is if you intend on using it). Use freezer bags to keep the pinto beans. Before sealing the freezer bags make sure you leave an inch of head space. This will help the pinto beans to expand during the freezing process.
Step 3
Label the bags with the date in which you are storing them in the freezer. You should also indicate how many people each portion serves. This will help you to remember just in case you forget those important details. Lay the freezer bags flat in the freezer when storing cooked pinto beans. They will last in the freezer for 6 months.
How to thaw pinto beans
The best way of thawing pinto beans is by transferring them from your freezer into the fridge. They will need about 24 hours or more to thaw. Therefore, you need to take them out way ahead of time. Thawing cooked pinto beans in the fridge is actually one of the best and widely recommended method. This is because it does not expose the pinto beans to bacteria. The other method for thawing cooked pinto beans which you can use is to place them under warm running water or alternatively place them in a bowl that is filled with warm water. This method is actually very fast. The last method that you can use to thaw pinto beans is that of using the microwave. However, you will need to reheat them use them as soon as possible.
How to tell when pinto beans have turned bad
Pinto beans that are not yet cooked rarely turn bad in a short space of time. However, cooked pinto beans are the ones that usually turn bad easily. In order to know that your pinto beans are spoiled you will have to smell them. They will have a strong unpleasant smell. The other thing that you might notice is the texture of the cooked pinto beans. They will have a slimy texture to them and you can even notice moulds. If you notice any of the above stated signs then you need to throw the pinto beans away. This is because eating spoiled food can lead to sickness.
Right way of cooking pinto beans
Soak the beans
The first thing you need to do when cooking pinto beans is to soak them. This is because they take a long time to prepare, so by soaking them you are actually helping them to cook faster once placed on the stove. In order to soak pinto beans you have to place the beans in a large pot then add water inside. Leave the beans overnight to soak in the water. In the morning you will notice that the pinto beans would have doubled in size. Drain the water and rinse the pinto beans.
Cook the pinto beans
Once the pinto beans have gone through the soaking stage you can then cook them. Place them into the pot and add water. Bring them to a boil for a couple of minutes then reduce the heat. Let them cook for 2 hours until they are fully cooked. When the pinto beans are cooked you can then use then to make any dish that you want.
Conclusion
Pinto beans last in the fridge for 4 to 5 days. Therefore, the fridge only offers short term storage for pinto beans. In order to extend the shelf life of cooked pinto beans you have to freeze them. They will last for 6 months. Remember that you need to store cooked pinto beans within 2 hours after preparation or else you risk getting sick.