Can you cook beans in a rice cooker? It may sound like an unusual question, but you’d be surprised how many people ask it. Beans, particularly dried beans, are well-known for being a culinary challenge. This is mainly because they take so long to cook.
One typically has to soak the beans in water overnight before boiling them or adding them to a dish. That’s why people are often on the hunt for a shortcut when preparing beans. So, is it advisable to cook beans in a rice cooker?
Can You Cook Beans In A Rice Cooker?
Let’s dive right in and answer the question, “Can you cook beans in a rice cooker?”.
In many cases, you can use a rice cooker to prepare beans. However, it would still help if you soaked the beans beforehand. Cooking beans in a rice cooker can be faster than traditional cooking methods when the beans are pre-soaked.
Therefore, if you’re cooking pre-soaked beans, a rice cooker is the ideal way to prepare them. Beans like pinto beans, red kidney beans, black beans, and more can be cooked in a rice cooker. You can also add canned beans to your rice cooker and heat them on the “Warm” setting.
How To Cook Beans In A Rice Cooker
Let’s look at the method used to cook beans in a rice cooker.
First, soak your beans in clean water for 8 to 12 hours, depending on the type of beans you want to cook.
Place the pre-soaked beans into the rice cooker when you’re ready. Then add at least three cups of water to the cooker for every cup of beans and a pinch of salt. If you like, you include other spices for added flavor.
The cooking time varies depending on the type of beans. But here is an approximate time for the most popular bean varieties:
- Black Beans: 45 minutes
- Red Kidney Beans: 45 minutes
- Navy Beans: 30 minutes
- Pinto Beans: 45 minutes
- White Kidney Beans: 20-30 minutes
- Chickpeas: 30 minutes
- Lentils: 25 minutes
The beauty of using a rice cooker is that you don’t need to keep an eye on it. Merely set it to cook and return after the stipulated time above. When done, ensure that your beans are sufficiently soft and that no water remains. If you’re happy with the texture of your beans, but there’s still some water in the cooker, simply drain them.
Rinse beans thoroughly before cooking if you’re warming up from a can. Canned beans are preserved in a liquid containing salt and starch, which can alter the flavor and texture of your food. So, rinsing the beans adequately with water is advisable.
Conclusion
Cooking beans using a rice cooker only takes a few basic steps. And if followed correctly, you’re guaranteed to produce perfectly cooked beans without much hassle. And if you’re still asking, “Can you cook beans in a rice cooker?” the answer is yes.