Most recipes that use canned beans tell you to drain and rinse them before adding the beans to the dish. I’ve noticed that the great chef and teacher Jacques Pépin might drain the beans, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen him rinse them and then more times than not he ends up adding the drained liquid back to the pot anyway. What is the thinking behind draining and rinsing beans?
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Answered by Aaron Hutcherson
What’s cookin’, friends? I’m Aaron, a food writer and recipe developer for Washington Post Food. I’m a classically trained chef who loves the comfort and soul food I grew up with and exploring other cuisines. Need help in the kitchen? I’m always happy to help. Email me at aaron.hutcherson@washpost.com or join my weekly live chat.
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Nutrition aside, the other main consideration is texture. For soups, stews and anything else liquidy, feel free to use the whole can — just keep in mind that you’ll be adding more liquid than if the recipe calls for drained and rinsed beans. On the flip side, drier is always better when you’re trying to make something crispy or crunchy, such as Crispy Spiced Roasted Chickpeas, and bean burgers, cakes and croquettes would likely be too wet if you include the liquid. It’s also a good idea to drain and rinse beans when you’re adding them to a salad. Somewhere in the middle are dips, which would work fine with the extra liquid, though they will definitely be looser than intended.
Lastly, if the beans you’re draining are chickpeas, don’t toss the liquid! Known as aquafaba, that liquid can be used as a vegan replacement for egg whites in co*cktails and desserts.
FAQs
But if you're someone who needs to watch your sodium intake, it certainly can't hurt to drain and rinse canned beans before using them. Doing so can reduce the sodium by 40%. If you don't want to rinse, consider at least draining them first. Draining alone will “reduce the sodium by a third,” says Reinagel.
Are you supposed to rinse canned beans? ›
Many people wonder if they need to drain and rinse canned beans, and the answer is, “it depends.” It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans.
Should you throw away liquid from canned beans? ›
When I use canned beans and canned tomatoes, I always drain them (and save the liquid). Not because there's anything wrong with the liquid. As a matter of fact, the liquid is that secret gift. The liquid in good canned beans is just the water and salt the beans were cooked in…
Does rinsing canned beans make them healthier? ›
Draining and rinsing canned beans can reduce their sodium content by more than 40%. But taking just a few extra minutes is key to getting the most benefit. First, drain beans in a colander for two minutes. Then rinse the beans under cool running water for 10 seconds.
Does rinsing canned beans reduce gas? ›
Rinsing beans can improve the flavor and texture of the final dish and can help cut down on how much gas they produce. So, for your culinary success and intestinal comfort, give those canned beans a rinse unless your recipe specifically says not to.
Can you eat the water in a can of beans? ›
Officially called aquafaba, the liquid included in cans of beans is typically starchy and salty, though those qualities differ based on the brand of beans. Feel free to dip a spoon or finger in to taste it before using. “It has a viscous body from the fibers of the beans.
Can you eat beans straight from the can? ›
The reason that beans are safe to eat straight from the can is pretty simple: They're already cooked. Per Epicurious, beans are blanched before being canned with water, salt, and other additives, and then sealed and cooked under steam pressure at a high temperature before landing at your local grocery store.
Does the liquid in canned beans cause gas? ›
One popular theory as to why beans cause gas is the soapy liquid you find in canned beans. "When legumes, for example red lentils, are boiled in water, the liquid they are cooking in becomes higher in oligosaccharides.
Does rinsing canned beans reduce BPA? ›
The following steps can reduce the risk of BPA exposure: Substitute fresh, frozen, or dried food for canned. Purchase food in alternative packaging, such as glass. For those who cannot avoid BPA epoxy can linings, rinsing canned beans, fruit, and vegetables in water may help lower the level of BPA in the food.
What is the white stuff on canned black beans? ›
Never fear: That foam is actually totally natural and completely safe. But what the heck is it? During the canning process, legumes from beans to chickpeas leach out some of their starch and proteins into the liquid, which is sometimes called aquafaba.
One can of canned beans can contain up to 25% of the recommended daily intake of salt (570 mg). Canned beans are safe to eat and provide many health benefits. Nevertheless, there is a low risk that canned foods may be a source of excess salt, nitrates, nitrites, and heavy metals that may pose human health risks.
What happens if you don't rinse beans before cooking? ›
Canned beans are packed in a solution of water, salt, and starch. That solution can leave a glossy film on the beans, interfering with not only mouthfeel (slimy beans are a little off-putting), but also the ability of the beans to cling to other ingredients in the dish and absorb those flavors.
Is it OK to eat canned beans everyday? ›
Nutrition experts talk about the benefits of this oft-overlooked pantry staple. Eating a few servings of beans a day can help you reach your recommended daily fiber intake of 21 to 25 grams for women and 30 to 38 grams for men.
Should you always drain and rinse canned beans? ›
Do You Need To Rinse Canned Beans? According to The Bean Institute, you can reduce up to 41 percent of the sodium in canned beans by rinsing them. "It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans," the website states.
What spice reduces gas in beans? ›
A few bloggers use the spices ajwain (or carom seed) and epazote in beans to reduce the gas.
Does Beano really work? ›
A couple of commonly used over-the-counter enzymes have long been known to work. These include Lactaid and Beano, used by people who are lactose intolerant or who have gas or bloating after eating legumes, respectively.
Can you eat canned beans without washing? ›
Rinsing Canned Beans, From a Nutrition Perspective
My reasoning was (and mostly still is) that canned beans (not low-sodium or salt-free), can be high in sodium. If you're a relatively healthy person though, enjoying canned beans without draining or rinsing them first is fine.
How do you prepare canned beans? ›
Cooking canned beans on the stove is one of the easiest and most common methods. Since they are already cooked, you just need to heat them up, which takes all but 5-minutes. Add a few flavor enhancers and dinner is served! Drain and rinse the beans (remember, that's optional).
Why do canned beans foam when rinsed? ›
The 3 Factors That Lead to Foam
The source of the foam that forms, whether as you rinse canned beans or cook dried ones, is threefold: starch, protein, and saponins.
Should you wash your hands after handling canned beans? ›
Yes, you should wash your hands after handling canned green beans to ensure proper hygiene and prevent the spread of germs. Even though canned green beans are cooked during the canning process, there is still a possibility of them being contaminated with bacteria or other microorganisms.
