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How To Cook Dried Peas and Beans: A Complete Guide

Dried peas and beans are pantry staples that are nutritious, versatile, and budget-friendly. Once you learn how to cook them properly, you will add them to your meal plan regularly.

Dried peas and beans are great for making a hearty soup, a pot of chili, or a simple side dish. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from sorting out debris to the best cooking methods and ideas for your meal plan.

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Why you should trust me to teach you about cooking dried peas and beans

I have cooked a whole lot of dried peas and beans in my nearly 50 plus years of homemaking. I consider dried peas and beans a pantry staple for cooking a simple, tasty favorite meal or side dish for my family.

I grew up eating dried peas and beans. My Mom taught me to sort out rocks and sticks from them when I was little. I guess I was her little kitchen helper. We used to eat a meal that my Mom called Pinto Beans and Cornbread. I helped her sort the beans. She cooked them in a large stockpot and seasoned them with ham pieces. Mom would cook a big pan of her homemade cornbread to go with. Then she would chop an onion for whoever wanted it. We made a meal out of Pinto beans and cornbread. This is how I learned to like raw onions, too.

We used to have an event at church on New Year’s Eve called a ‘watch night service.’ Part of that service included cooking an old-fashioned meal, including black-eyed peas. Someone forgot to soak the peas one year. They were taking too long to get done. One of the ladies stepped in. She removed the boiling pot from the stove, poured off all of the liquid, and then replaced it with fresh water. She set it back on the stove and brought it back to a boil. To our surprise, those peas were ready shortly afterwards. That was a new trick to me.

dried peas and beans section in the grocery store

Choosing your brand at the grocery store

Let’s begin with shopping for dried peas or beans at your grocery store.

Find the section in your grocery store with dried peas and beans. You will quickly see how affordable they are. My local grocery store carries a huge variety of types of peas and beans. They are much less expensive than canned veggies. One bag can be divided into two meals for a small family.

Typically, the name brand is a little more expensive than the store brand. I rarely buy name brands because, through the years, I have found the store brand to be quite good. I suggest you do trial and error to learn which brand you prefer.

dried black eye peas

Sorting and Cleaning: Removing Rocks and Sticks

Before cooking, it’s essential to sort and rinse your dried peas or beans. Since they typically grow on the ground, they sometimes contain small rocks, dirt, or sticks.

  1. Spread the beans on a clean countertop or pour them into a colander. I use a colander like this because it has holes all around and not just on the bottom.
  2. Look for and remove any foreign objects like rocks, sticks, or shriveled beans. Remove those items and toss them into the trash.
  3. Rinse thoroughly under cold water to remove dust or debris. Drain before cooking.
Rinsing dried Pinto beans in a colander

Soaking Methods: Do You Really Need to Soak?

Soaking beans before cooking helps them soften, reduces cooking time, and can improve digestibility. Here are three soaking methods to choose from:

1. Overnight Soak Method (Preferred method)

  • Place beans in a large bowl and cover them completely with water.
  • Let them soak for 8-12 hours or overnight.
  • Drain and rinse before cooking. Discard the water you soaked them in. Do not use that water for cooking.

2. Fast Soak Method

  • Place dried beans in a large pot and cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
  • Cover and let sit for 1 hour.
  • Drain, rinse, and add them back to the pot, cover with water, and continue cooking.

3. No Soak Method (Yes, You Can Skip It!)

If you don’t have time to soak, you can still cook dried beans, but they will take a few hours, maybe between 2 and 4 hours, to get done. Keep an eye on them and refill the liquid when it cooks down. The liquid is soaked up into the peas or beans, and some of it evaporates during the cooking process. It is important to keep an eye on the liquid. Not many things make the house smell as bad as a pot of scorched beans!

a spoonful of 15 Bean Soup
15 Bean Soup seasoned with Herbs

How To Season Dried Peas or Beans

There are multiple ways to season dried peas or beans. It really depends on how you intend to use them.

Herbs and Spices

If you are cooking dried peas or beans as a side dish, you can use any of a variety of herbs or spices, such as Bay leaves, Thyme, Oregano, Herbs de Provence, Cumin, or even Chili Powder. If you are cooking Pinto beans, Black beans, or Kidney beans to be used in a pot of chili, use chili powder for seasoning.

Meaty Seasonings

Ham has been used for ages to season dried peas or beans. I always save scrappy pieces of ham any time we have baked ham. I freeze an appropriate amount in Ziploc freezer bags and use them for seasoning. I add the frozen ham when I put the beans on to cook. You can also buy ham pieces in the meat department at your grocery store.

Vegetable seasonings

Onions, celery, carrots, and garlic are commonly used to season dried peas or beans while they are cooking. One of my favorite soup recipes is this one for Country Style 15 Bean Soup, which is seasoned with country-style ribs, carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. This is a great example of how herbs, vegetables, and the right meat can add loads of flavor to a pot of beans.

How To Cook Dried Peas or Beans on the Stovetop

Stovetop Cooking Method

  1. Place soaked beans in a pot and cover with fresh water or chicken broth (about 2 inches above the beans).
  2. Add your seasoning of choice according to the recipe you are using.
  3. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
  4. Cook until tender (typically 1-3 hours, depending on the beans
  5. If you are serving the peas or beans as a side dish, do not drain before serving. The liquid is called pot liquor. Some people enjoy the pot liquor with their cornbread.

Crockpot Method

First, sort and remove any debris. Rinse in a colander. Then proceed. You do not have to soak before cooking in the Crockpot, but you can if you like to reduce the cook time. It depends on how soon you need these peas or beans to be on the table.

Unsoaked Peas: Place your dried peas or beans in the Crockpot. Cover with water or chicken broth. Add your choice of seasonings. Cook on high for about 4 -5 hours or low for about 6-8 hours.

Soaked Peas: Place your dried peas or beans in the Crockpot. Cover with water or chicken broth. Add your choice of seasonings. Cook on high for about 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 hours or low for about 5 1/2 – 6 1/2 hours.

NOTE: Crockpot temperatures may vary, so your final cook time may vary slightly.

Storing and Freezing Cooked Beans

How Long Do Cooked Beans Last?

  • Store leftover cooked peas or beans in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. They can be reheated in a microwave bowl or in a pot on the stove. You may need to add a little more liquid before heating. I like to add chicken broth.
  • Store leftover cooked peas or beans in the freezer for up to 6 months in freezer-safe bags or containers. Thaw before reheating. You may need to add more liquid before reheating.

How to Freeze Cooked Beans

  • Let the beans cool completely.
  • Divide into portion-sized containers or bags.
  • Label and store in the freezer.
  • To use, thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat directly from frozen on low after adding more liquid.

Pro Tips

  • If you allow your dried peas or beans to boil too hard, the skins will boil off. Try not to let that happen. Once they come to a boil, turn the heat down for a good simmer.
  • Add a little salt at the beginning of cooking and then again about halfway through cooking time for the best results.
  • Add a pinch, about one teaspoon, of baking soda once the beans begin to boil and stir. Baking soda will cut down on the gas that beans tend to give our tummies, and it helps to soften the beans.
  • I keep hot water in my kettle on the stove while I am cooking beans. This way, I don’t slow down the cooking process when adding additional water.
  • If you plan to add acidic seasonings such as tomatoes or vinegar, wait until your beans are nearly tender to add. Acidic additions tend to slow down the cooking process and keep your beans from getting tender.

Cooking dried peas and beans is easy once you know the basics. With these methods, you can enjoy flavorful, nutritious beans in soups, stews, or as a side dish any time! Do you have a favorite way to cook beans? Share your tips in the comments. Let’s hear your recipes.

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