My great dried bean standoff of last Tuesday

I decided to save money by cooking a big pot of pinto beans from scratch instead of using cans. How hard could it be, right? I soaked them overnight, like you're supposed to. The next day, I boiled them for what felt like forever. After two hours, I'd check one and it would still be like a little rock. This went on for four and a half hours. Four and a half! My whole kitchen smelled like bean water and I was just staring into this pot, willing them to soften. My partner came home and asked if we were having bean soup for breakfast tomorrow. Has anyone else had beans that just refuse to get soft? What's the trick, because I can't do that again.

2 comments

2 Comments

maxb461mo agoMost Upvoted

Ever think old beans just won't soften? I used to blame my cooking, but then I learned beans can just get too old. Now I check the package date before I even bother soaking.

finleyk871mo ago

Actually had great luck with older beans using a pressure cooker. The high heat seems to push through that stubbornness.