Are dried beans really worth it?

Kevinslady

So I am making a huge batch of chili tomorrow. I usually buy the low sodium canned beans which work great for me because I don't have to plan ahead. Since I have until tomorrow I am thinking about using dried beans. Do they taste better? Any thoughts? I know they are cheaper, which is very appealing.

dorothyinAus

I have only ever made chili with canned beans.  But I know if you are making red beans and rice, dried beans an infinitely better than canned.  Likewise in soups, so I can only assume they would make a difference in chili.

Unfortunately, the only dried beans I can get regularly here in rural Australia are split peas, lentils, and chickpeas, so even if I wanted, I can't do the test.

Kevinslady

dorothyinAus:

I have only ever made chili with canned beans.  But I know if you are making red beans and rice, dried beans an infinitely better than canned.  Likewise in soups, so I can only assume they would make a difference in chili.

Unfortunately, the only dried beans I can get regularly here in rural Australia are split peas, lentils, and chickpeas, so even if I wanted, I can't do the test.

Good to know. Thank you! 

melbride2005

Funny you asked this...when I was talking with Lidia last week, we were discussing my pasta e fagioli recipe and she asked if I ever used canned beans for it.  I told her no, mainly because my Nana never did, and she told me it "would be okay in a pinch".  She added that my Nana probably never used them because dried are much cheaper (which I also assumed) but they'd be fine in a pinch.  I thought it was interesting that she gave me that little blessing, lol.

I almost always use canned in chili and other dishes I cook, more for convenience than anything else. 

 

MrsWindyCity

I haven't noticed a huge taste difference, but I also tend to use canned more frequently. Beans seem to show up frequently in those meals I didn't really plan on making, but had to whip up really quickly, so dried would be useless. That said, you can make the bag of beans and then freeze them; 1 bag is about 3 cans of beans so it's definitely more economical.

Id you have a crockpot, you can let them cook in there all day, which is really easy and convenient. 

mamie&cc

MrsWindyCity:

I haven't noticed a huge taste difference, but I also tend to use canned more frequently. Beans seem to show up frequently in those meals I didn't really plan on making, but had to whip up really quickly, so dried would be useless. That said, you can make the bag of beans and then freeze them; 1 bag is about 3 cans of beans so it's definitely more economical.

Id you have a crockpot, you can let them cook in there all day, which is really easy and convenient. 

ditto, the only difference in taste is the sodium which you can control

WendyGR

I like the texture of dried beans cooked much better than from a can.

Kevinslady

Thanks ladies! That was exactly what I was looking for.

spiritenergy

I perfer dried. I do have a few cans in my pantry of canned because but I never use them. I am considering giving them to a food bank. I like dried because I can control the salt levels, price, and texture.

Jim&Jaime

I just pinned a tutorial on DIY canned beans. I now have a pressure canner on my Christmas list. 

FayeD

I use the pressure cooker to cook dried beans.