Had to pick between dried beans and canned for my chili this week

I went with dried after reading they're half the price per pound, but soaking them overnight took way longer than I expected, has anyone else found a faster way to get them soft without buying canned?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_rose26d ago

Oh man, I've been in this exact spot. @nathan851 is right about the quick soak method, that's what I do now too. Just boil them for like 2-3 minutes, then let them sit off the heat for an hour covered. Saves a ton of time compared to overnight. I still think dried beans taste better than canned especially for chili, they hold their shape better and don't get mushy. The texture is just way more satisfying. Just make sure you add your salt and acidic stuff like tomatoes toward the end, otherwise the beans will never get fully tender. That was a lesson I learned the hard way a few times haha.

nathan85126d agoTop Commenter

Nah, dried beans are worth the wait. Just do a quick soak instead.

the_piper26d ago

I get what you're saying about dried beans being better, but I honestly don't think they hold their shape much better than canned if you cook them right. The quick soak method still takes over an hour and I'd rather just open a can and add it straight to the pot. Have you tried rinsing canned beans really well to get that weird slimy coating off?