Knowing how to store cooked beans is very important because they are a perishable food. Below are some of the methods that you can use to store your cooked beans. Cooked beans are very healthy they are packed with a lot of nutrients. However, the problem with most varieties of beans is that they take a long time to cook all the way through. Thus, most people resort to cooking them in large quantities then simply storing the leftovers. If you are interested in knowing how to store cooked beans then simply check out the article below.
Contents
How to store cooked beans in the fridge
NB: Cooked beans can be stored in the refrigerator but, they only last for about 5 to 7 days.
Step 1
Before packing your cooked beans you have to make sure that they have cooled down. This is because if you place them in the fridge while hot they can alter the temperature of the fridge. This can then affect the shelf life of other foods in your fridge.
Step 2
When the cooked beans have cooled down simply place them in plastic containers or freezer bags. You can add the beans together with their water if you enjoy the juices from the beans.
Step 3
Place the packaged beans in the fridge. Make sure you use your cooked beans within a weak to avoid getting sick.
How to store cooked beans in the freezer
NB: this is the best method of storing cooked beans because it really extends the shelf life of the cooked beans. Cooked beans stored in the freezer can last for up to 6 months.
Step 1
When using the freezer to store your cooked beans you need to ensure that they have completely cooled down.
Step 2
When the cooked beans have cooled down you need to divide them into portions. This will help you especially when defrosting the beans. Instead of defrosting the whole batch you simply defrost the portion you want to use at that particular time.
Step 3
After dividing the cooked beans into meal portions you can pack them into freezer bags. Take out as much air as possible from the freezer bag before sealing it.
Step 4
Label the bags with the date in which you are placing the cooked beans in the freezer. Also include how many people each portion serves. When you have done that, place the freezer bags lying flat in the freeze. This is because if you freeze beans while they are not flat they will be very hard to defrost.
How to defrost cooked beans
If your cooked beans where in the freezer you need to defrost them before you can use them. In order to defrost cooked beans you need to take them out of the freezer and place them in the fridge. This will help to minimize temperature shock. The cooked beans can defrost overnight in the fridge. If you need to use the frozen beans immediately then you can always defrost them in the microwave. The other faster alternative is to take the beans out of the freezer, then submerge the packed beans in water for a few minutes. You will notice that the cooked beans will start to defrost.
How to use cooked beans
Cooked beans that where once stored in the freezer can be used for a number of things. You can add cooked beans to stews or soups, this is actually one of the most common ways of using frozen beans. Rice and beans is also another dish that you can try with the frozen beans. Frozen cooked beans can be used the same way as freshly cooked beans. They will still have the same texture as well as flavour.
Easy methods of cooking dried beans
Since dried beans usually take a long time to cook, there a few things that you can do in order to speed up the cooking process.
Soak beans
This is actually one of the things that you can do to speed up the cooking process of your beans. To soak the beans you need to place the beans in a bowl. Cover them with 3 times the amount of water. You can leave the beans to soak overnight or for 6 to 8 hours. There is also another method that you can use to soak beans and it is usually called the quick soak method. To use this method simply place the beans in a pot and cover them with water. For a bag small bag of beans you need about 6 to 8 cups of water. Bring the beans to a boil for about 2 to 3 minutes then remove them from the stove and let them sit for an hour. When soaking the beans you need to be aware of the fact that they swell up. Therefore make sure you use a large pot or bowl.
Rinse beans
After soaking the beans you need to rinse them. Place the beans in a colander and rinse them over running water until the beans are nice and clean.
Cook the beans
When the beans are nice and clean, place them in a large pot and cover them with 3 times the amount of water. Place the pot on a stove and bring the beans to a boil then reduce the heat and let the beans simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. When the beans are done you can taste them to see if they have achieved the texture that you like. Remove the beans from the heat and rinse them to stop the cooking process.
Conclusion
Storing cooked beans is an easy task especially if you follow this guide. Beans that are stored in the freezer have a longer shelf life and they retain their texture as well as flavour. Instead of cooking beans in small quantities try cooking them in large quantities. It actually saves you a lot of time since all you have to do is reheat them and add to your dish.
