Freezing beans? Does it work?
Posted by GFVegmom on Feb 02, 2009 · Member since Sep 2008 · 565 posts
Ok, so I love cooked beans, all types with everything, but the canned ones are just too pricey compared to what a bag of dried goes for. It just takes so long to cook them, except for lentils, which are not my faves.
So does anyone think I could cook up a whole bag of beans, several cups, then freeze them? I've never tried it, and don't want to waste that much if it dosen't work.
Yes. It works just fine. I have two big containers of beans in my tiny freezer right now. Just thaw, and add/eat.
Just to repeat AC, freezing beans works great and saves lots of money and time. I cook several pounds at once in my pressure cooker and freeze in can-sized portions. They thaw fairly quickly too...I usually just thaw enough to pour into the pan.
Here they are in my freezer right now (I'm running a little low!):
It works great--you can store them in plastic freezer bags as well.
I've been using my empty EB containers to freeze mine in. The containers hold about the same amount as a can of beans. So when I get a recipe for calling for canned I just grap and thaw as many as I need. Normally I try to cook up a bag of beans every Sunday and freeze them. Different ones each Sunday. That way I manage to keep quite an assortment. I use freezer bags too but I have to pay for them.
Yeay!!! I'm so excited, going to get both of my crockpots to work asap. I'm glad there is a pic of freezing them in canning jars, I have a lot of them so was hoping to use them instead of buying more freezer bags.
Hopfrog, do you put any liquid in with the beans when freezing them?
omg, this is awesome. I never even thought to freeze them!
I love to soak them and cook them fresh over the canned ones... and this is such a plan!
Endless hummus and goodies!!
I've been doing this for the past year or so...well since whenever the wise vegweb informed me I could!
I love freezing them because sometimes a can was too much for me and this way a can just knock off as much as I need.
Hopfrog, do you put any liquid in with the beans when freezing them?
I don't, because then I have to worry too much about expanding ice breaking the jars. The beans stay fine without liquid for at least a couple of months (the longest I've ever kept one).
Yeay!!! I'm so excited, going to get both of my crockpots to work asap. I'm glad there is a pic of freezing them in canning jars, I have a lot of them so was hoping to use them instead of buying more freezer bags.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slow_cooker
I don't know how much of a threat this actually is, but please be careful if you are cooking dried beans in the slow cooker. I have successfully cooked dried pinto beans in the slow cooker (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Refried-Beans-Without-the-Refry/Detail.aspx) , and black beans (less successfully- didn't get very tender), but I haven't done dry kidney beans, because, as mentioned in the "disadvantages" section of that article, it is potentially dangerous unless you boil them first. Just a heads up. This was news to me when I first got my slow cooker and I just happened to come across it by chance.
Hmm, I hadn't heard that. Supprising nothing is mentioned in the manual that comes with the crock pot. You would think they would mention that. I have always done beans in the "Pot" never had any problems. I do however cook them on high for 4 hours at least until well done. I even do kidney beans.
maybe there isn't any mention of this on the packaging because it seems most common in undercooked beans or just soaked beans, like sprouts. Who wants to eat undercooked beans, ewww.
Food for thought, as it were.
Question for those of you who freeze beans--do you undercook before freezing or do you freeze fully-cooked beans? I ask b/c other instructions I've seen suggest undercooking them--but when I cook beans I'm always cooking some to eat as well, and I don't want to separate out part of the beans halfway. Would be so much easier to cook them all and then freeze.
As it stands now, I just eat the same beans for a week straight. Thankfully I have a high tolerance for eating the same thing over and over (especially as versatile as beans!) but I'm thinking that some variety in my diet would be a good thing.
Question for those of you who freeze beans--do you undercook before freezing or do you freeze fully-cooked beans?
I just freeze normally cooked beans, but I don't cook mine until they're mushy or anything, just until tender.
GFmom, if you don't have a pressure cooker, you should get one. Pressure cooked beans are terrific, especially chickpeas. They can make for speedy quick suppers.
that is probably the only piece of kitchen equip I don't have. Never thought I'd use it much. Will have to research it.
I've been toying around with the idea of getting this one:
http://market.everydaydish.tv/BRK_Alpha_Pressure_Cooking_Set_p/631100.htm
but it is a bit expensive and I don't know anyone who has it. It is kinda like 2 pressure cookers in one because of the 2 pots? Anyway...I live in fear of cheapo ones because like over 50 years ago I saw one explode at my aunts house. I am sure it was a fluke but the memory remains.
Beans freeze amazingly well. Simply rinse them, soak them, rinse them, cook them, drain them and freeze them. Do not freeze the liquid there is no need for it.
I usually freeze in a gallon size bag and whack chunks off of it to use as needed. It works just fine or you can use smaller containers. They do not get mushy or taste overcooked even when used in something long simmered. Simply add the beans last, heat through and serve.