Cranberry beans, also known as borlotti beans, are a variety of common beans. They have a delicious nutty flavor and creamy texture when cooked. Cranberry beans can be purchased fresh, dried, or even canned. However, cooking them yourself results in the tastiest beans full of flavor. Here are how to cook dried cranberry beans using various methods.
1. How To Cook Cranberry Beans on Stove
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried cranberry beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 3 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Drain the soaked cranberry beans and pick over to remove any debris. Rinse if needed.
In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add the drained beans, vegetable broth, water, bay leaf, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are fork tender. Check often and add more liquid if needed.
Once tender, remove bay leaf. Taste beans and adjust seasonings as needed.
Serve the cranberry beans warm as a protein-packed side dish. Beans can also be used cold in salads, pureed into dips, added to soups or stews, or used in any favorite recipe calling for beans.
2. How To Cook Cranberry Beans in Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried cranberry beans, rinsed and sorted
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot inserting the trivet first if needed. Give a quick stir to combine.
Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is set to “sealing”. Press the Manual/Pressure Cook button and set to 25 minutes on High pressure.
Once cooking completes, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, manually release any remaining pressure.
Carefully remove the lid. Check beans for tenderness. If needed, secure lid again and cook for 5-10 additional minutes until beans are tender.
For thicker bean broth, use a spoon to skim some excess liquid if needed after cooking.
Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
Serve cranberry beans warm as a side dish, in salads or bowls, or use them in soups, stews and other favorite bean recipes.
3. How To Cook Cranberry Beans in a Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried cranberry beans, rinsed, soaked 8 hrs/overnight
- 5 cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 11⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Drain the soaked beans and add them to a 5-6 quart crockpot along with remaining ingredients.
Give a quick stir, cover and cook on LOW for 7-8 hours, until beans are fork tender. Do not remove lid during cooking.
Once finished, test beans for tenderness. Cook longer if needed.
Remove bay leaves. Taste beans and adjust seasonings if desired. Add more broth or water if they are sticking.
Beans will plump up as they cook and soak in the broth to a perfect creamy consistency.
Serve the cranberry beans warm as a side dish, in salads or bowls, in soups and stews, or use them baked into breads.
By following the outlined methods, I hope that you will know how to cook dried cranberry beans at home, adding a nutritious and delicious touch to your meals. Good luck.
