How (and Why) to Can Dry Beans

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Beans are a staple in many households and considered an excellent emergency food to have on hand in case of a natural disaster, loss of job, and so on. These days, I can't eat beans (because they spike my blood sugar badly), but I still have some on hand for my children to eat occasionally. But you may wonder why I bother to can our beans.

Personally, I avoid commercially canned beans because #1, dry beans are less expensive and #2, store-bought beans are less healthy due to high sodium levels and BPA exposure. Still, who doesn't love the convenience of grabbing already cooked beans off the pantry shelf? So home-canned beans it is! (Also, while dried beans last a long time, they do eventually lose their ability to rehydrate; canning our dried beans periodically prevents that.)

The basic method of pressure canning beans (yes, beans must be pressure canned) is the same no matter what type of bean you choose. The method also works great for dried peas (like you'd use in split pea soup). I find that I need about 10 lbs. of dry pinto beans to fill 12 quart jars, about 2 lbs. of dry black beans to fill 8 pint jars, and 4 lbs. of dry lima beans to fill 7 quart jars.

P.S. Some people like to can beans without soaking them overnight first. BUT this is not a tested safe method, so it opens you up to the possibility of food poisoning. Totally not worth the minimal time savings!






How to Can Dried Beans

1. Review the general instructions for pressure canning, if necessary.

2. The night before, pour dry beans into a large pot. Fill the pot with warm water and let the beans soak overnight.

3. The next day, drain the water from the pot. Pour the soaked beans back into the pot and refill the pot with fresh water. Boil the beans for 30 minutes.

4. In the meantime, prepare your jars, lids, and screwbands. Fill your pressure canner with water (according to the manufacturer's directions) and place canning jars inside it. Begin gently heating the water in the canner.

5. Fill a kettle or medium-sized pot with water and bring it to a boil.

6. While waiting for the water to boil, drain the beans. Cover them to keep them warm until the water has come to a full boil.

7. Once the water has come to a boil, remove one jar from the canner, pouring out any water from inside it. Using a ladle, fill the jar with hot beans; a funnel makes this job easier and keeps the jar rims cleaner. (I use this collapsable funnel and this ladle.) Leave 1-inch headspace.

A funnel and ladle make filling jars easier. Leave one-inch headspace. These are lima beans.8. If desired, add salt: 1/2 teaspoon canning salt if the jar is pint-sized and 1 teaspoon salt if the jar is quart-sized.
Adding salt is optional but recommended for better flavor.9. Using a ladle, cover the beans with boiling water, being sure to maintain 1-inch headspace. Use the handle of the plastic utensil to remove any air bubbles.

Add boiling water but maintain the 1-inch headspace.10. Wipe the rim of the jar clean with a towel dipped in a little white vinegar. (This helps get any food particles off the jar that could lead to seal failures.) Place a lid and screw band on the jar and tighten the band until you just feel resistance. Using the jar lifter, place the jar back into the canner.

11. Repeat steps 7 - 10 until all the beans are used up or the pressure canner is full.

Jars in the pressure canner.12. Process pint jars for 75 minutes and quart jars for 90 minutes.*
Lima beans canned and ready for the pantry.





Fun Variations for Canned Beans

Pinto beans.If you're canning pinto beans, you may add 1/2 a jalapeno (cut in half lengthwise and seeded - or not) to each jar. To make refried beans from the contents, simply pour everything from the jar (beans, pepper, and liquid) into a pan and reheat. Mash and add a little salsa, if desired. (Nope, refried beans truly are never refried!)

Molasses or Tomato Beans are a yummy, if a sweet treat.

Molasses Beans: Mix 4 cups water (or cooking liquid from the beans), 3 tablespoons dark molasses, 1 tablespoon vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon powdered dry mustard. Heat to boiling.

Baked beans.Tomato Beans:  Mix 1 quart tomato juice, 1 - 3 tablespoons sugar (optional), 1 - 2 teaspoons salt (optional), 1 tablespoon chopped onion, and 1/4 teaspoon each of ground cloves, allspice, mace, and cayenne pepper.  Heat to boiling.

For either version, you may also add a 3/4-inch cube of pork, ham, or bacon to each jar, if desired. (Cut off all fat from the meat first.) Then fill each jar 3/4 full with beans and cover with the molasses or tomato sauce, leaving 1-inch headspace. Process pints for 65 minutes or quarts for 75 minutes.

Finally, don't forget baked beans. They are definitely a sweet treat, but fun now and then. Click here for full instructions.


* NOTE: If you live at a high altitude, read this important information about adjusting canning times.


A version of this post originally appeared on this blog in April of 2011.