How to Cook and Freeze Beans
Watch my Easy Freezer Cooking Video on You Tube!
I love freezer cooking. It saves me so much time and money on those days when it’s 5:00 already and I don’t feel like cooking dinner. This week I’m pre-cooking black beans.
How to Cook and Freeze Beans
First I soak the beans overnight (12- 18 hours) with about 2 tablespoons of white vinegar or lemon juice to break down the fibers in the beans and reduce the phytic acid (these acids inhibit digestion). Note: You don’t need to add vinegar to bigger beans like kidney and navy beans.
The next morning, I drain and rinse the beans then place them in a stock pot.
I add water to cover the beans plus about an inch above, then add a tablespoon of salt and some bacon fat if I have it.
Then I set them on the stove on high. Once the water comes to a boil, I turn the stove down to low, cover the pot and allow them to simmer for 1-2 hours depending on how many beans I’m cooking.
You want the beans to be tender but not too soft, so check them at around the 1 hour mark.
Alternatively, you can use my Spicy Black Beans Recipe HERE.
When they’ve finished cooking, I let them cool and then place them in freezer zipper bags.
I’ve learned the hard way that it’s better to put fewer beans in each bag so that I can break off half a bag if I need a smaller amount. You could also use quart size freezer bags to store 1 or 2 cup servings so you have an exact measurement.
Place the bags flat on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer. This will allow you to stack the bags more easily and efficiently.
I can now easily and quickly put together some of our favorite recipes: Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Soup, Black Beans and Rice, BBQ Black Bean Tostadas or Black Bean Salsa. Saving money and time in the kitchen is always a good idea!
*NOTE: For kidney beans, you don’t have to add lemon juice or vinegar. Simply soak them for 12 hours.
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Kimberlee thank you. So many young wives haven’t been taught to cook. You are doing a great service for them and therefore for all of us. “You can feed a man or teach him to fish and he’ll feed himself”. I am 66 years old and still looking for more ways to save and be economical. I found you on Face Book and enjoy reading your site and ideas from other women.
Thanks so much for your encouraging words Margaret. My heart’s desire is to help women be all that they can be, so I appreciate hearing that you think that I am having an impact.
I have been reading all parts of your series for a few months- you are an inspiration. I too eat lots of canned black beans, I have never tried to make my own – but now I will. I like the idea of laying them on a sheet to freeze individually but since I like to eat black bean soup I will also freeze some in a container with liquid. Keep up your great work! God bless you!
Thanks for your encouragement Barbara! Let me know how you like the beans. 🙂
Do you freeze them in the liquid or drained? I had seen a blog freeze with the liquid but my beans turned into a horrible fermented mush! Thanks!
I usually drain some of the liquid, but leave a little so that the beans aren’t completely dry. Of course you should do what works best for you. 🙂
How long do you cook the beans in the stock pot? We eat a lot of canned black beans and would love to save money preparing my own!
It takes about 1 1/2 to 2 hours on low. I bring the beans to a hard boil and then turn the temp. down to low.
Sorry to sound stupid. Is this formula for one (or more) bag of beans? TYVM
Hi Wendy! I should have been more clear. I soak a 16 ounce (1 pound) bag of dry black beans in a pot with the beans covered in water. I add 1-2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the water and beans and stir them. After 12 hours, I drain the beans in a metal collander, rinse them in cold water and return them to the pot. I cover the beans with water (about an inch above the top of the beans in the pot), add about 1 1/2 tablespoons salt and any other seasoning I want to use. I bring them to a boil and then turn the stove on low and cook them until tender, usually about 3 hours. 🙂
We freeze our beans all the time. I have started to drain them and then freeze them on a cookie sheet. When they are frozen I removed them and add them to a Ziploc. Now they are separated and not frozen in a large clump. Think frozen corn. This saves a ton of time so I don’t have to defrost.
That is a REALLY great idea Kelly. Thanks!
Can u use this same method for pinto beans?? I’ve never froze beans before but it looks easy enough and will save time later. Thanks
Linda I’m sure it would work. The only issue I can see with pinto beans is not cooking them so much that they are mushy (if you want to use them later in something other than refried beans!)