Soaking beans

irish fan

Fire Starter

Original poster

May 26, 2006

44

10

• Mar 10, 2008

• #1

I was going to make BBQ beans from scratch using dry beans and only the freshest pork,bacon,onions and bark pieces to go with my BBQ feast.I soaked my beans overnight and they were still hard in the morning.I gave up on them and was forced to use canned beans.After 48 hours the beans are still hard.Could the beans be so old they wont get soft? This is about the 3rd or 4th time I have tried to soak beans and never got them right yet.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Heck they are only beans you think I could figure them out.

 

glued2it

Master of the Pit

Sep 8, 2007

1,556

11

Tulsa

• Mar 10, 2008

• #2

I'm pretty sure you still have to cook them.

Place the beans in a large saucepan and cover with salted water by 2 to 3 inches. Soak the beans overnight.

The next day, drain and rinse the beans. Return the beans to the saucepan and cover with fresh water by about 4 inches. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until the beans are tender but not bursting open.

 

desertlites

Gone but not forgotten. RIP

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Dec 6, 2007

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552

• Mar 10, 2008

• #3

yup what ^ said.

 

crewdawg52

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Feb 7, 2007

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Brighton, MI

• Mar 10, 2008

• #4

BINGO!

 

vlap

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Aug 17, 2007

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Bradenton, Florida

• Mar 10, 2008

• #5

Yes... You must cook them...

 

navionjim

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Apr 16, 2007

684

14

Houston Texas

• Mar 10, 2008

• #6

I used to have that problem all the time. Then an old lady told me how to cook beans and they are always soft if you do it her way. There are just two tricks you need to know. Well maybe three/

1. DON"T SOAK OVERNIGHT!

2. NEVER LET THEM SEE WATER THAT IS NOT BOILING!

3. DON"T ADD SALT UNTIL THE END!

Thats all there is to it. Bring the water to a boil, add the beans slowly so the water stays boiling. If you have to add more water, make sure it's boiling before you add it. The beans will be soft in an hour and a half. two at the most. Add the salt after they are soft, not before. Beef bullion is much better to add than plain salt by the way.

Try it this way and you will never go back or have hard beans again.
Jimbo

 

cowgirl

Legendary Pitmaster

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Oct 2, 2007

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Oklahoma

• Mar 10, 2008

• #7

If I have the time I soak them overnight, drain the soak water...add fresh, bring them to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until soft.
I also do not add salt until the beans have softened.
If I am canning them or pressure cooking them, adding salt does not matter...the pressure canner makes them tender. (for me anyway)

Also fresh beans are best, I'm lucky enough to get fresh bags of pintos from New Mexico each fall. They are soooooo goooood.

 

richtee

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Aug 12, 2007

10,682

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N. Oakland County, MI

• Mar 10, 2008

• #8

I have never soaked 'em overnight. Maybe 6 hours in warm water, replacing the water once or twice, then the boil... or simmer more correctly. Your method sounds good Jim... I'll try that and save the soak time.

 

payson

Meat Mopper

Nov 17, 2006

261

10

Columbia SC

• Mar 10, 2008

• #9

I've always been a pressure cooker fan myself.

 

glued2it

Master of the Pit

Sep 8, 2007

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Tulsa

• Mar 10, 2008

• #10

We're still talking about BBQ Baked beans here right?

 

T

teacup13

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Feb 22, 2007

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Sault Ste Marie,ON

• Mar 10, 2008

• #11

one bag of great northern beans

soak the night b4 - then read the pkg, there is always a recipe that says you need to boil them, drain and reserve a certain amount of the liquid to add to beans later....

i always soak, always boil, and never reserve liquid, this is what causes flactuants

molasses
onions
garlic
ketchup
mustard
fresh black pepper
salt pork/i use thick sliced bacon

into the bean pot they go.

side note, i have cooked my beans right after soaking them, you just have to cook way longer and keep adding liquid.

 

bertjo44

Smoking Fanatic

Feb 18, 2008

484

14

Salem, VA

• Mar 10, 2008

• #12

Sounds like there are several techniques that work. I always soak, they usually plump up a little but are still hard. Then boil in fresh water. I made my first from scratch bbq baked beans recently.

Navy Beans (soaked, boiled)
Molasses
Garlic
BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's)
Worceshire Sauce
Salt
CBP
Onion
Green Bell Pepper
Bacon
Dry Mustard

Have also used pineapple and Durkee Fried Onions.