Most recipes that use canned beans tell you to drain and rinse them before adding the beans to the dish. I’ve noticed that the great chef and teacher Jacques Pépin might drain the beans, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him rinse them and then more times than not he ends up adding the drained liquid back to the pot anyway. What is the thinking behind draining and rinsing beans?
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Answered by Aaron Hutcherson
What’s cookin’, friends? I’m Aaron, a food writer and recipe developer for Washington Post Food. I’m a classically trained chef who loves the comfort and soul food I grew up with and exploring other cuisines. Need help in the kitchen? I’m always happy to help. Email me at aaron.hutcherson@washpost.com or join my weekly live chat.
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Nutrition aside, the other main consideration is texture. For soups, stews and anything else liquidy, feel free to use the whole can — just keep in mind that you’ll be adding more liquid than if the recipe calls for drained and rinsed beans. On the flip side, drier is always better when you’re trying to make something crispy or crunchy, such as Crispy Spiced Roasted Chickpeas, and bean burgers, cakes and croquettes would likely be too wet if you include the liquid. It’s also a good idea to drain and rinse beans when you’re adding them to a salad. Somewhere in the middle are dips, which would work fine with the extra liquid, though they will definitely be looser than intended.
Lastly, if the beans you’re draining are chickpeas, don’t toss the liquid! Known as aquafaba, that liquid can be used as a vegan replacement for egg whites in co*cktails and desserts.
FAQs
Do You Need To Rinse Canned Beans? According to The Bean Institute, you can reduce up to 41 percent of the sodium in canned beans by rinsing them. "It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans," the website states.
Do you rinse canned beans to reduce gas? ›
Rinsing beans can improve the flavor and texture of the final dish and can help cut down on how much gas they produce. So, for your culinary success and intestinal comfort, give those canned beans a rinse unless your recipe specifically says not to.
Is it okay to use the liquid in canned beans? ›
The liquid in good canned beans is just the water and salt the beans were cooked in… filled with delicious bean flavor. And this liquid is a great thickener for not only the specific dish you're making at the moment, but for any dish that could use some thickening, some salt, and some bean flavor.
Does rinsing canned beans remove nutrients? ›
Vitamin C was also lost with both treatments; 10% in green beans; 21% in corn, and 6% in peas; other nutrients were also evaluated. Based on this study, draining and rinsing can be effective in reducing sodium in canned vegetables; however, varying amounts of some water-soluble nutrients may also be lost.
Can you eat the water in a can of beans? ›
Officially called aquafaba, the liquid included in cans of beans is typically starchy and salty, though those qualities differ based on the brand of beans. Feel free to dip a spoon or finger in to taste it before using. “It has a viscous body from the fibers of the beans.
What happens if you don't rinse canned beans? ›
Canned beans are packed in a solution of water, salt, and starch. That solution can leave a glossy film on the beans, interfering with not only mouthfeel (slimy beans are a little off-putting), but also the ability of the beans to cling to other ingredients in the dish and absorb those flavors.
Why do recipes say to rinse canned beans? ›
One of the primary reasons for draining and rinsing canned beans, or any canned food, is to remove some of the excess salt.
Why do canned beans foam when rinsed? ›
The 3 Factors That Lead to Foam
The source of the foam that forms, whether as you rinse canned beans or cook dried ones, is threefold: starch, protein, and saponins.
Can you eat beans straight from the can? ›
The reason that beans are safe to eat straight from the can is pretty simple: They're already cooked. Per Epicurious, beans are blanched before being canned with water, salt, and other additives, and then sealed and cooked under steam pressure at a high temperature before landing at your local grocery store.
What is the white stuff on canned black beans? ›
Never fear: That foam is actually totally natural and completely safe. But what the heck is it? During the canning process, legumes from beans to chickpeas leach out some of their starch and proteins into the liquid, which is sometimes called aquafaba.
You should also rinse the canned food with water. This can reduce the amount of potassium you consume.
Does the liquid in canned beans cause gas? ›
One popular theory as to why beans cause gas is the soapy liquid you find in canned beans. "When legumes, for example red lentils, are boiled in water, the liquid they are cooking in becomes higher in oligosaccharides.
Are canned beans too high in sodium? ›
But canned beans can be high in sodium, which is a problem for those with high blood pressure and those who want to avoid it. According to Dr. Gourmet, there are 400-500 mg of sodium in a 1/2 cup of canned beans. And if you're on a sodium-restricted diet, that's about 1/3 of your daily intake.
Should I drain the liquid from canned beans? ›
Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Open your cans of beans using a can opener. There may be sharp edges from opening the can.
Does rinsing canned beans reduce gas? ›
Rinsing beans is like throwing away beef stock and eating only the flavorless, overcooked beef. The amount of farts in your bean/water system is relatively constant. If you reduce the water, the farts per gram in your system go up.
How to cook rinsed canned beans? ›
Pour the beans directly into the pot and season for how you plan to use them. Allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue to stir and heat beans until they reach the desired temperature and consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
How do you cook canned beans so they are not gassy? ›
But most people can enjoy more beans with less gas with the help of these tips: Soak beans overnight in water, then drain, rinse and cook in fresh water. This decreases the oligosaccharide content. Cooking the beans in a pressure cooker may reduce the oligosaccharides even further.
How to make canned beans easier to digest? ›
Always Cook Beans
Never eat beans raw; cook them to eliminate most of the lectins. Pressure cooking is a fantastic way to break down lectins for a smooth digestive experience. If you are using canned beans, rinse them thoroughly to remove the complex sugars that are difficult to digest and cause gas.
Which canned beans cause less gas? ›
The easiest beans to digest (therefore less likely to cause gas), according to Country Life Foods, are lentils, black eyed beans, adzuki beans and mung beans. (Click through to learn more about the amazing health benefits of mung beans.) The harder ones to digest are red kidney, soy, black and lima beans.
