Dried Kidney Beans-Soak and Freeze?

WantToBeSE

I bought some kidney beans and threw the packet away. On the back of the packet were the cooking/soaking instructions..:o

I know it said to soak for 8-12 hours, but i have soaked them for 24 hours (forgot about that!), will they still be OK?
Also, do i have to boil them before freezing? When i was doing the same with chickpeas, i know the instructions said to boil for an hour?

I wont throw the packet away next time

cyclingyorkie

It is VITAL that kidney beans are brought to the boil and boiled for 10 minutes before consuming. I think you have to change the water too!

mollymoggs

As cyclingyorkie said, you need to boil kidney beans for at least 10 minutes and never eat any that are even slightly undercooked. I don't think any other bean has the same health risk, but undercooked kidney beans can kill you.

Honestly, I'd drain, rinse and pick through the beans, discarding wonky or split ones. I'd boil the whole batch and reserve what I needed for the recipe and drain, cool, and freeze the rest. I don't think the added soaking time is harmful unless they start to sprout or grow mould. I sometimes soak mine for over 12 hours.

WantToBeSE

Thanks everyone.
I am trying to work remember whether the packet said to boil for an hour before using..i had to boil the chickpeas for an hour, so i am guessing that this is the same?

WantToBeSE

Just looked it up online, i have to boil for 10 mins and simmer for 60 mins.

Thanks for the help

mollymoggs

Oh definitely simmer until they are soft and done after the boil. Beans really do vary in cooking time, and older beans can take a lot longer. But with that long soaking time, it might be less of an issue.

I always test my kidney beans by squishing one with a fork. If it seems soft, I taste the squished bean. If there are no hard bits, it's done. If there are, I spit it out, rinse my mouth, and cook them longer. It might be a bit over the top, but I was shocked when I learned about the dangers, and from what I gather, no one knows how much you can eat before you get health issues. Fully cooked kidney beans, on the other hand, are totally good for you.

WantToBeSE

Thanks Molly,
I simmered for an hour after boiling for 10 mins, and made 6 bags of them for the freezer. Only cost £1

meritaten

I buy tinned - cant stand all that soaking and boiling and simmering faffing about!

Valli

meritaten wrote: »

I buy tinned - cant stand all that soaking and boiling and simmering faffing about!

me too - the value ones are fine for chilli