Cannellini beans, sometimes called white kidney beans, are a variety of white bean with a creamy texture and mild flavor. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook cannellini beans properly at home.
1. How To Cook Cannellini Beans on Stove
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried cannellini beans
- 4 cups water or broth
- 1 tsp salt to taste
Instructions
Rinse 1 pound dried cannellini beans and pick through to remove stones or debris. Soak in water 8 hours or overnight.
Drain beans, transfer to a pot and cover with water 2 inches above beans. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook 45-60 minutes until beans are just tender, adding more hot water if needed. Season with salt in last 5 minutes only or beans won’t soften.
Drain any excess liquid if needed. Beans are now ready for any recipe. Adjust seasonings to taste.
2. How To Cook Cannellini Beans in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried cannellini beans
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Rinse the dried cannellini beans under cold water and remove any debris or stones. Place the beans in the Instant Pot.
Next, pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and water. Make sure that the beans are fully submerged in the liquid. If needed, add more water or broth to cover the beans. Then add the bay leaves and dried thyme to the Instant Pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
Cook the beans on high pressure for 30 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure before the cooking time starts.
Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick release to release the remaining pressure.
Open the Instant Pot lid and give the beans a stir. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaves.
3. How To Cook Cannellini Beans in Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried cannellini beans
- 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 cups water
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Rinse the dried cannellini beans under cold water and remove any debris or stones. Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Allow them to soak overnight.
Alternatively, you can use the quick soak method by placing the beans in a pot with water, bringing it to a boil for 2 minutes, and then removing it from the heat. Let the beans sit in the hot water for 1 hour.
Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a slow cooker. Then Pour in the vegetable or chicken broth and water. Make sure that the beans are fully submerged in the liquid. If needed, add more water or broth to cover the beans.
Add the bay leaves and dried thyme to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cover the slow cooker and cook the beans on low heat for 6 to 8 hours or until the beans are tender and creamy. Cooking times may vary depending on the slow cooker model, so adjust accordingly.
Once the beans are cooked, taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaves.
Serve the slow cooker cannellini beans hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley if desired. They can be enjoyed as a side dish, served over rice or pasta, or used in soups and stews.
With a few easy steps, dried cannellini beans transform into creamy, versatile ingredients perfect for making deliciously wholesome meals. I hope that after reading this article, you know how to cook dried cannellini beans perfectly at home.
