Bean Basics
Discover how easy it is to start with dried beans and cook up a delicious, low-cost meal
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Sure, canned beans are convenient, but there is something incredibly satisfying about soaking and cooking your own dried beans.
First, there’s the beautiful simplicity of it: A large bowl and a little planning are all you need to make a pot of beans—just cover the beans with water and let stand overnight.
Then there’s the financial factor: Dried beans are a fraction of the cost of canned, with 1/2 cup of dried beans yielding as much as a 15-oz. can (1 1/2 cups, drained).
The homemade method also lets you infuse the beans with seasonings as they cook, avoiding the excess sodium found in canned beans while creating dishes that are full of flavor.
