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When I share healthy slow cooker recipes, one of the most common questions that people ask me is, “Can I substitute dried beans for canned?”  The short answer is, “Yes.”  Here’s how…

How to Substitute Dried Beans for Canned Beans in Slow Cooker Recipes

Let me explain why you would want to substitute dried beans for canned beans in the first place:

  • Dried beans are much cheaper than canned beans.  At ALDI, two pounds of dried beans costs $1.99 and yields as many beans as 8-9 cans (which would cost more than double that price).
  • Dried beans are healthier than canned beans.  Dried beans contain more protein, fiber, iron, potassium, and magnesium than canned beans and have less sodium (source).
  • Most cans have BPA in their lining. (You can read more about whether this is a concern or not in this article from the EWG.)

How to Substitute Dried Beans for Canned Beans in Slow Cooker Recipes

To substitute dried beans for canned beans in slow cooker recipes, soak the beans and then add 1.5 cups of soaked beans per can of beans in the recipe.

Soaking the beans reduces their cooking time and helps with digestion.  You can soak the beans overnight or in boiling water.

To soak overnight:

Add the dried beans to your slow cooker, cover with about five cups of water per pound of beans, and soak overnight.  In the morning, drain the water and rinse beans.

To “quick soak” in boiling water:

Add the dried beans to a large pot with three cups of water per pound of beans.  Bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes.  Remove pan from heat, cover, and allow pot to sit for an hour.  Drain water and rinse beans.

Then, add the soaked beans to your favorite slow cooker recipe and let them cook to perfection.

Note: Cooked beans can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days and in the freezer up to three months.

How to Cook Dry Black Beans in the Crockpot

To use dried beans in slow cooker FREEZER MEALS, you have two options.

  1. Substitute 1.5 cups of cooked beans for each can of beans in the recipe.
  2. Substitute 3/4 cup of dried beans for each can of beans in the recipe.  Since the beans will be cooked for a long time in the slow cooker they will still turn out perfectly tender.  (Google “can I skip soaking dried beans” to help you decide if this is a good choice for you.)

To prepare for this blog post I soaked a bunch of beans overnight and then froze them in slow cooker meals without cooking them.  When I cooked those meals the beans turned out OK, but they were a little bit tough and not perfectly tender.  Because of this, I recommend using one of the options above instead.

How to Substitute Dry Beans for Canned Beans in Slow Cooker Recipes

Here are some of my favorite slow cooker recipes with beans:

How to Substitute Dried Beans for Canned Beans in Slow Cooker Recipes

Thoughts or questions?  Please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you. 

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Dorothy Foreman
Dorothy Foreman
8 years ago

Thank you THANK YOU for introducing me to “freezer to Crock Pot” meals. So thrifty, time saving and delicious. I have shared meals and info about your website with other ladies who are excited to get started.

Catharine
Catharine
8 years ago

Hi, Thanks for all the info. I’m just not sure what “one of the options above instead” are. It seems that you are saying that using soaked only beans weren’t great in the freezer recipes….

Danielle
Danielle
8 years ago
Reply to  Kelly McNelis

I also do not understand where you say “one of the options listed above” because it sounds like you did use one of the options listed above (option 1) and you are saying it did not turn out that great. Can you clarify? Thanks!

Alex
Alex
8 years ago

Love the site! I am now addicted to your meals! Do you have to boil any of these bean prior to crock pot cooking? I read some beans release a toxin which has to be boiled out prior to cooking. Advice?

Alex
Alex
8 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Ha, just read the Boil for 3 minutes line. Disregard my last comment. Thanks!

Julia
8 years ago
Reply to  Alex

Actually, it is a valid concern with the overnight soaking method. Kidney beans can be especially dangerous if undercooked in a slow cooker. http://dadcooksdinner.com/2010/09/slow-cookers-and-red-kidney-bean-poisoning.html/

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[…] Kelly at New Leaf Wellness has a super helpful post on how to substitute dried beans for canned beans in slow cooker recipes. […]

Jill
Jill
8 years ago

When you soak the beans in water overnight, should the whole thing be kept in the fridge or out at room temperature?

Rachelle Anderson
Rachelle Anderson
8 years ago

How many dried beans equals 1.5 cups of soaked beans?