Do you have any leftover canned black beans, or you want got a bulk of dried black beans at a discount and wondering how to use them for meal planning? You will be happy to know that cooked black beans freeze well.
I have been freezing cooked black beans for years and below are my tips so that you can always have a supply of these delicious and versatile beans ready to make your favorite recipes.
Preparation
Canned black beans: When I use canned black beans and have some leftovers, I discard the liquid from the can and transfer the beans to a ziplock bag or a freezer safe container.
Dried black beans: I like to cook the black beans and freeze them as they are very handy when I need them in my recipes. To cook the dried black beans, rinse them with water and then soak it in enough water for at least 8 hours. Discard the water and then cook it with your favorite method like crockpot, stovetop, or Instant Pot. After cooking Discard the water and then let the beans cool down completely before freezing them.
Instructions
- Cool down: let the black beans cool down completely after cooking them and discarding the liquid.
- Portion: measure or weigh the beans about 15 oz or 2 ½ cup portions. This would allow you to use them when a recipe calls for a can of black beans.
- Package: pack them in airtight freezer safe containers or ziplock bags. I like to use Zip-lock bags for smaller portions, and airtight containers for larger batches.
- Label: label the containers or Ziplock bags with date, contents (black beans), and quantity. It becomes very easy to know the contents without opening the containers.
Cooked black beans in ziplock bag.
Frozen black beans.
Storage choices
- Freezer-Safe Bags: Ziplock bags are a great option to freeze cooked black beans. They are easy to store and do not take much space. You can even stack them while freezing.
- Airtight Containers: Rubbermaid, Tupperware, Snapware and other airtight containers are great for storing bigger batches.
- Mason Jars: Glass jars are a durable and eco-friendly option to freeze cooked black beans. They are available in various sizes allowing you to portion them as needed.
Thawing
- Overnight in the fridge: place the airtight container or ziplock bag in the fridge overnight. The beans will thaw and will be ready to use.
- Quick thaw: submerge the sealed bag or container in warm water for about 10 minutes.
- Microwave defrost: use the defrost setting on the microwave.
- Steam: Place the flozen black beans in a steamer basket and steam them for 5-7 minutes. They will thaw and will be ready to use.
Usage
- Soup: they are great to add to soups. I like to make black bean soup as well.
- Mexican beans: season them with fajita seasoning, cumin powder, and mix in with sauteed onions. They are great to make burritos, bowls, or serve with cilantro lime rice.
- Salads: add them to salads as they are a great source of protein and fiber.
Duration
Cooked black beans can be frozen for upto 6 months. It is best to use the defrosted beans in 2-3 days and refreezing the thawed beans is not ideal, though it is possible.
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