freezing beans?

[cherimoya]

So I got a little excited with the dried beans (kidney, black-eyed, black-turtle, broad) today, lol. I'm soaking them and then will be cooking them tomorrow. Normally I only soak enough for one meal or maybe 2. This time there's probably enough for 4 meals. I'm guessing that they would probably freeze well (after cooling them after cooking). Has anyone done this? How long can I freeze them? Any issues when thawing later?

[lucifugous]

If they are made into soups or otherwise saturated, I think they freeze and thaw just fine. I wouldn't expect them to stay intact for a bean salad or similar, but for something you just thaw, heat and eat, and that can or should be mushy, I'd say go for it!

[velochic]

I'm not sure what you are planning to do with them after they are thawed, but take care to not overcook them before you freeze them. The freezer actually changes the texture (makes them more soggy). The ice crystals form on the moisture in the beans, then when they thaw, it actually causes the cells of the bean to explode... resulting in mushy beans. I would suggest that if this is your first time freezing them, soak them and either par cook them for just a very short period of time or not cook them at all. You want them to be what might seem TOO firm when you put them in the freezer. They freeze well, but not if cooked completely through.

[cristeen]

I freeze them in 2 c portions with the liquid I cooked them in. ANd then I use them in dishes where the texture doesn't matter... refried, hummus, soup, dip, etc.

[TwinMom]

I freeze cooked beans all the time. You can either freeze them with some of the liquid or drain them completely and freeze. I use a ziploc freezer bag, lay the beans flat to freeze, then stand up on its side to store. The texture does change somewhat, but I have found that's true mostly for smaller beans. Chickpeas hold their shape well as long as they're not overcooked to begin with.

[azmomtoone]

Yep, I make a bunch and freeze them too. Why wash out the crockpot for one meal's worth, when you can make 4? Beans are very time consuming (dry ones) but so handy to have made up!!

Pinto beans esp, we love mexican around here & it's handy to have the beans in the freezer....also, very easy to make bean burritos for quick healthy grab-n-go meals.