Dry Beans: an easy way to save money in the kitchen!

How to Cook Dry Beans for Budget-Friendly Meals

If you're looking for an easy way to save money while eating healthier, cooking dry beans at home is a game-changer. While canned beans are convenient, dry beans are significantly cheaper, taste better, and let you control the ingredients—no unnecessary preservatives or excess sodium.

With just a little prep, you can cook a big batch of beans and have them ready for meals throughout the week. Here's everything you need to know!

Why Cook Dry Beans Instead of Buying Canned?

Canned beans may seem affordable, but when you break down the cost, dry beans win every time.

1 pound of dry beans ($2) yields about 6 cups of cooked beans
1 can of beans ($1) contains about 1.5 cups of cooked beans
This means you get four times more beans for the same price!
By cooking dry beans yourself, you can stretch your grocery budget while having a versatile ingredient ready for tacos, soups, salads, and more.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Dry Beans
Cooking beans from scratch is simple! Follow these steps for perfectly tender, flavorful beans.

Ingredients:
1 pound of dry beans (black, pinto, kidney, chickpeas—your choice!)
Water
1 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf

Instructions:
Rinse & Sort: Spread the beans out and remove any debris or bad beans. Then, rinse them under cold water.

Soak the Beans (Optional, But Recommended!):

Overnight Soak: Place beans in a large bowl, cover with water, and let sit for 6-8 hours.

Quick Soak: If you're short on time, bring beans to a boil in a pot of water, let them boil for 1 minute, then turn off the heat and let them sit for 1 hour before draining.

Cook the Beans: Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then place them in a large pot with fresh water (about three times the volume of the beans). Add salt and a bay leaf for flavor.

Simmer Until Tender: Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook for 1-2 hours, checking occasionally. Some beans cook faster than others, so taste test for doneness.

Store for Later: Drain the beans, let them cool, and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze them for several months in airtight containers or freezer bags.

Ways to Use Cooked Beans
Once you have a batch of homemade beans ready, the possibilities are endless! Here are some delicious ways to use them:

Tacos or Burritos – Swap out meat for black or pinto beans.
Soups & Stews – Add kidney or white beans for extra protein.
Salads & Grain Bowls – Toss chickpeas or black beans into your meal.
Hummus & Dips – Blend chickpeas into a creamy hummus.
Breakfast Scrambles – Add beans to eggs for a protein-packed start.

Final Thoughts
Cooking dry beans at home is one of the easiest ways to save money on groceries while enjoying fresher, more flavorful meals. With just a little planning, you’ll always have a nutritious ingredient on hand for countless recipes.

Give it a try and see the difference for yourself!