How to Prep Fresh Beans for Chili: A Step-by-Step Guide

You can use canned beans for chili, but you’ll get the best texture if you use dried ones and cook them yourself instead. It takes a little more time, but the results are well worth it! Here’s how to prep fresh beans for chili:

1. Choose the Right Beans

Start by selecting the type of beans you want to use. Common choices include kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans.

2. Sort and Rinse

Pour your beans onto a clean surface and sort through them, removing any damaged or discolored beans or debris. Then, rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities.

3. Soak

Soaking the beans not only reduces their cooking time but also makes them easier to digest. There are two methods: overnight soaking or quick soaking. For the overnight method, cover the beans with water and let them soak for 8 to 12 hours. For the quick method, put the beans in a pot of water and bring them to a boil, then remove them from the heat and let them sit for an hour.

4. Drain and Rinse Again

After soaking, drain and rinse the beans one more time. This helps remove any residual gas-inducing compounds.

5. Make Your Chili

Your beans are now prepped and ready to be added to your chili recipe. Simply cook them according to your recipe instructions.