Guide to Using Dried or Canned Beans: + Fagioli Recipe

Dried beans that are cooked well can elevate the flavor of many slow carb recipes, from soups and stews to side dishes, to refried beans. But are they always best for any kind of recipe?

There are some types of dishes where the flavor (and texture) shines more when you use dried beans and some recipes where it really isn’t worth the effort. I’ll walk you through the reasons and include a recipe below (Fagioli al Fiasco; an Italian bean side dish) that is an example of where dried beans are better.

Jump to: Dried vs Canned | When to Use Dried or Canned | Best Recipes for Canned Beans | Heirloom Beans | Tips (soaking, seasoning, storing)

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When to Use Dried vs Canned Beans

Differences between Dried & Canned Beans

In general, if cooked correctly dried beans have superior taste and texture. The flavor tends to be fresher and the texture tends to be tender but not mushy. A common complaint with canned beans is that they are “mushy”

However, dried beans that are not cooked long enough can be too crunchy and if cooked too long they can also turn mushy. The bottom line on this is you have more control over the texture when you cook dried beans.

Many of the dried beans on the market can be substituted for one another in various recipes. The most important thing, when substituting, is to find a bean of approximately the same size as the bean you are substituting for.

Since cannellini beans and pinto beans are approximately the same size, they could work in recipes as substitutions if you prefer one over the other.

I use pinto beans often in Mexican recipes, and cannellini beans in Italian recipes, but it is more a function of tradition rather than necessity.

This tasty Mexican recipe for slow cooker charro beans (aka cowboy beans) is made with dried pinto beans, and it is a classic. My Italian fagioli recipe provided in the recipe card below is traditionally made with cannellini beans. I wonder how they would differ in taste by exchanging the beans?

For example, cannellini beans are about the same size as pinto beans and could be used as substitutes in recipes.

Nutritional Differences

Beans are a complex carb, but because they are so high in protein (20% by weight) they are a big plus for those on a plant-based diet. They are also a key protein source that is compliant with a slow carb diet.

Last, but not least, beans are the one and only food that the diet of the 5 Blue Zones regions (areas of the world with the most centurions) had in common. Read more about Blue Zones here.

Dan Buettner (the main man behind the Blue Zones studies) says: “…beans reign supreme in Blue Zones. They’re the cornerstone of every longevity diet in the world.” In general, Buettner says people in Blue Zones eat four times the amount of beans as people in the U.S. Beans are a staple in every single one of the 5 Blue Zones.

**Tip: One of the bigger nutritional difference between dried beans and canned beans is that canned beans have more sodium. Draining and rinsing will remove 41% of the sodium (and make you less gassy), but there will still be more sodium than in dried beans.

This is another area where dried beans give you more control over how much salt you use.

Best Time to Use Canned Beans

The main downside of using dried beans over canned in recipes is that it takes more time, especially if you prefer soaking your dried beans. It may also require specialized equipment if you want to cook them in a pressure cooker or an enameled large pot (dutch oven).

While using dried beans gives the cook more control over texture, it may take a few experiments in cooking time to get to the texture that is perfect for you (not too crunchy and not too mushy).

Heirloom Bean Varieties

Maybe you, like me, had never thought of beans having heirloom varieties. Heirloom beans bring a unique flavor and look that you don’t see in traditional “commodity” beans. Here are some of the heirloom bean varieties I found intriguing:

Vaquero Beans

Vaquero means “cowboy” in Spanish, and with the black and white spots, it’s no wonder where this bean gets its name! They are also sometimes called orca beans, but other beans can also go by the “orca” label.

Similiar to the kidney bean, the vaquero is a good bean for stews, chili, soups, and casseroles. The vaquero is a good heirloom bean for long, slow cooking. They keep their shape with the long cooking times.

Mayocoba Beans

The Mayocoba bean is originally from Peru, but has made its way north over the years. It’s also called the Canario bean or the Peruano bean.

The Mayocoba is a mild bean that does well with high flavor ingredients. Instead of using great Northern beans or cannellini beans, try using the Mayocoba!

Since this is a Peruvian bean, why not try an authentic Peruvian bean recipe with specific Peruvian spices and flavors?

Scarlet Runner Beans

These beans really bring the aesthetic factor! The beautiful pink flowers are edible as well, so some people grow scarlet runners simply for the flowers.

This is a very large, plump, purple-black bean with distinctive markings. Its unusually crisp texture, even when cooked, makes it very suitable for salads. there are no substitutes for that texture.

Originally from Oaxaca, many Mexican dishes are amped up with these beans. They are also really wonderful on salads- especially with some scarlet runner flowers mixed in. These beans also go well sautéed with mushrooms or asparagus.

Best Heirloom Varieties for Soups & Stews

While there are thousands of recipes starring beans, one of the most common uses is in soups or stews. Of course, not every bean is cut out to stand up to the long, slow cooking that typically goes with making soups.

To get the perfect stew without getting a mush, you’ll want to select a bean that maintains its shape while also becoming soft and almost buttery. Vaquero, garbanzo, pinto, black, and navy beans all lend themselves to soups easily.

Find out more about the huge world of heirloom beans on the Rancho Gordo website.

Dried Bean to Canned Bean Conversion

So, dried beans are healthier and taste better, but many recipes call for canned beans. How much dried beans do you need if recipe calls for canned?

In general, one part dry beans equals 3 parts cooked beans. However, with canned beans, the liquid is also included in the “weight”. For a 15 oz can of beans, it is recommended to use a heaping 1/2 cup of dried beans.

Cooking Tips (soaking, seasoning, storing)

There is a fairly heated debate on whether dried beans should be soaked or not for the best texture and flavor. Rancho Gordo (the premier heirloom bean company) maintains that soaking is not necessary. The caveat here is that beans from Rancho Gordo are most likely fresher than dried beans from a grocery store.

My take on the debate is that if you are confident your beans are fresh, you don’t need to soak. If you think they might be old, they will benefit from overnight soaking, primarily from a texture standpoint. They will be more likely to all cook at the same time that way.

Here are a few tips on how to cook beans so that you get the perfect flavor and texture everytime!

Tip #1: “If” you want to soak, do it this way:

There is an active debate on soaking vs not soaking dried beans. This post does a deeper dive into the debate. I am in the non-soaking camp, but if you are a soaker advocate, here is the best way to go about it:

Rinse your beans first in a colander to get rid of any dust, dirt or bugs.

After a quick rinse, it’s time for your beans to soak. Cover them with lukewarm water until they are submerged.

The older, drier and larger the bean, the longer it needs to be soaked. For lentils and split peas, you don’t have to soak at all.

If you are opting for the overnight method, beware that you can actually soak your beans too long. If you soak for more than 10 hours, the beans can become mushy and lose some flavor once cooked.

Short Soaking the Beans:

If you are in a hurry, there is a shorter way to soak your beans. First rinse the beans and then cover them entirely with hot water in a large pot. Boil the beans for 2 minutes, then cover with a lid, remove the pot from the heat, and let them soak for an hour.

Cooking Tip #2: Seasoning the Beans

When I first started using dried beans, I was a bit cautious, as I had heard that they can give you gas if you don’t cook them right, and they can turn out too mushy or too crunchy. Now that I have some experience with dry beans under my belt, I feel much more capable and my beans never come out too mushy or crunchy!

There is also a debate around whether to salt the dried beans during the soaking. Some say this helps reduce cooking times, while others say it isn’t significant enough to notice.

If you do add a tablespoon of salt to your beans while they are soaking, you will definitely want to drain and rinse the beans. Salt added to the beans while they are cooking can lead to toughness of the bean, making them too crunchy.

Also, make sure to taste the beans prior to adding more salt once they are finished cooking.

Tip #3: Wait Until the End to Add Acid and Salt

While most additives are fine to add while the beans are cooking, somethings should be added only when the beans are tender and finished cooking. Acid and salt added early on will make the beans tough and crunchy, so wait until the end to add things like tomatoes, lemon/lime juice or wine….and salt

Cooking Methods: Instant Pot vs. Stovetop vs. Baked

There are several different methods that work well for cooking dry beans. My favorite methods involve the instant pot pressure cooker or the dutch oven over the stovetop.

Instant Pot Dry Beans

Instant pots or pressure cookers are great for cutting down the cooking time for dry beans! Once you have soaked your beans, add them to the pressure cooker and fill with water about 3 inches above the beans. Pressure cook for 15 minutes, followed by a quick release.

*Note: We used a Instant Pot brand pressure cooker, so some of the terminology may be different depending on your model of pressure cooker.

Stove Top Dry Beans (Dutch Oven)

Once you have soaked and rinsed your beans, add them to a stock pot or dutch oven and cover with about 2 inches of unsalted cold water. Do not salt the beans until you’re finished cooking or they will become tough).

Bring to a very gentle low boil, reduce heat, and cover partially. Cook until beans are soft (see chart above for different cook times). With this method, you want to make sure your beans never come to a “rolling” boil, as this can break the skins.

The beans should be covered by water at all times; you will probably have to add more water to the beans to keep them completely immersed.

Oven Baked Casserole

If you’re in more of a hurry to get dinner on the table, try using canned beans in a casserole and baking them. This 30-minute Tuscan Bean Casserole recipe is sure to please, with plenty of robust flavor without the long simmering required.

How to Store Dried Beans

There are no preservatives in dried beans, so the age of the beans is important. Older beans are drier, and therefore require more soaking ad cooking time and their flavor may be a little more dull. Generally it’s best to use dried beans that are no more than a year beyond their harvest.

Keep them as cool as possible, but not in the refrigerator. Be careful not to mix batches of old beans and young beans, because their cooking times will be different.

Great Recipes Using Dried (or Canned) Beans

The recipe below is a Tuscan (Italian) bean recipe called fagilio al fiasco. I used cannellini beans as they were easy to find in the local grocery store. If you are more of a bean coniseuer try cranberry beans (available from Rancho Gordo). They are velvety and thin-skinned they are an absolute dream to cook with.

Essentially, most beans cooked this way are going to be wonderful. The main thing I would pay attention to is source. Buy beans from a place that has good turnover, or from a farmer or company you know and trust. Buying beans that have been sitting around or stored for years can be a problem. The beans stay tough when they are old.