Can You Freeze Kidney Beans? Easy Guide to Freeze Kidney Beans

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 15, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

5 minutes read

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In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Kidney Beans? Easy Guide to Freeze Kidney Beans“.

Chefs use kidney beans as a staple ingredient in their kitchens. Sometimes this product comes in a can or dried form with a bag for storage.

Is it possible to freeze kidney beans? Yes.

The process of cooking and freezing kidney beans is time-consuming, but it is well worth the effort.

Cans of beans can be frozen to preserve them. Read on to learn how to freeze kidney beans.

You can learn everything you need to know about freezing kidney beans, from cooking methods to thawing.

What’re Kidney Beans?

The kidney bean is a variety of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris).

The rich, dark red to maroon color of kidney beans gives them the name red kidney beans or Mexican red beans.

In addition to being sold dried, they are available in a range of cooking times (from 4-hour soaking to 30-minute cooking).

Beans can also be found in many forms, including canned and dried beans, whole beans, and ground beans.

In American cuisine, the kidney bean is a very popular ingredient, especially in the Southern region of the country (particularly in New Orleans, where red beans and rice is a traditional dish).

How to Freeze-Dried Kidney Beans?

It is technically possible to freeze-dry kidney beans. They can, however, be frozen for an extended period of time.

Your pantry shelf can store dried kidney beans for years.

You should store them in an airtight bag that is dry and cold, in a high-quality container.

About two to three more years are left on the best beans. Nevertheless, beans kept in good condition will continue to be safe even after three years.

Before freezing-drying kidney beans, make sure they are thoroughly washed. Spread beans out on a towel or washcloth to dry.

Put the beans in an airtight plastic bag or container and freeze them.

How to Cook Dried Kidney Beans?

Using a pressure cooker to cut the cooking time in half is the easiest way to prepare dried kidney beans.

The following steps should be followed:

In a pressure cooker, combine washed and soaked kidney beans with water (soak overnight).
Bring to a boil then simmer for one hour.
To cook kidney beans in a pot, use 3 parts water to 1 part dried red kidney bean.
Water and beans should be brought to a boil, then reduced heat and simmered for an hour.
After the kidney beans are cooked, drain any excess liquid and place them on a cookie sheet to cool.

How to Freeze Kidney Beans?

For later use, you can freeze raw kidney beans or cooked kidney beans.

By freezing the beans before cooking, you’ll have an easier time preparing them.

In general, raw kidney beans can be frozen for six months if you are unsure.

The majority of people believe that freezing food will always last longer if they put it in a freezer bag. This is where they go wrong with freezing food.

The plastic of the freezer bags causes the food to go bad even faster than if it was just sitting and not frozen.

Beans should always be cooked before freezing in order to be safe.

A step-by-step guide for freezing kidney beans is provided here.

The beans should be cooled and rinsed under cold water after cooking.
They should be divided into small portions. You can save one to two cups of beans for later use in a bag or container.
Since the liquid inside the beans will expand when frozen, it is best to pack the beans in plastic bags or containers.
Each bag of beans should have a label indicating the date and quantity.

Rather than freeze beans in bags, some people prefer to freeze them in flat containers with some liquid.

You can freeze raw beans for up to 6 months. Once the beans have been cooked, place them in airtight containers or freezer bags and freeze them within one month.

How to Thaw Frozen Kidney Beans?

The two ways to thaw frozen kidney beans are as follows.

You can either let them thaw naturally at room temperature or cook them in the microwave or toaster oven.

It is the most natural and cheapest way to thaw kidney beans at room temperature.

The only thing you need is time (about 5 hours).

Using this method is also the best way to thaw small quantities of beans that you need for immediate use.

You should cook the kidney beans again if they aren’t consumed within a short period of time.

There is one exception to this rule: those who don’t mind soggy or undercooked beans.

Let the frozen beans thaw naturally at room temperature by placing them in a pot with water.

Liquids can be used for any type of cooking, including sauces, broths, and combinations thereof.

Make sure the beans are soft and ready to eat by checking them periodically.

It shouldn’t take more than two to three minutes to microwave frozen beans.

When you microwave too many kidney beans, the beans may cook as the microwave heats up, but it is not recommended for health reasons.

If you plan to use frozen kidney beans after they have been thawed, baking them is the best method.

Putting frozen kidney beans in a pot and cooking them over the flame will cause them to crack.

Thus, wrap each frozen bean tightly with aluminum foil when thawing it in the oven.

You should not wrap it too loosely since this will cause burning and uneven heating.

Ensure that the oven is preheated to 400 degrees.

The wrapped kidney beans should be placed in a baking dish, thawed, and cooked for about 40 minutes.

How to Tell if Kidney Beans are Bad?

Beans are not protected by a thick shell, so they are easily contaminated by bacteria in the air, which greatly affects their taste and texture.

A bad kidney bean may exhibit some of the following signs:

The discoloration is an indicator – discard green or black kidney beans as they may be contaminated with bacteria.

Despite being frozen, if the beans have been cooked, they will look dried and shriveled.

Bad kidney beans will have a grainy texture rather than being soft or mushy.

To prevent food poisoning from raw or cooked kidney beans that may have gone bad, throw them away immediately.

The beans should also be discarded if they have been cooked and do not taste fresh.

Also, keeping them around to eat later is not a good idea since their bad taste could get even worse by the time you want to eat them.

Conclusion

As a result, freezing kidney beans is a relatively straightforward process.

You just have to know the right way to do it.

By purchasing kidney beans in bulk, you will save money by freezing only fresh, good-quality beans.

You can also prepare large batches when the weather permits and freeze extra for emergency food storage.

If you store frozen beans in freezer bags or containers, make sure to label them and date them.

Label them with the “use by” and “best before” dates to make sure they are used as soon as possible.

If you have any other suggestions for freezing kidney beans, please share them with us.