We're going to buy a large quantity of dried kidney beans. It will mostly be used for Chili. I've never used them before so excuse me if this sounds like a dumb question. Would I need to soak the beans overnight and then add them or would they turn tender on their own if I slow cook the chili for 6 to 8 hours in the crock pot?
asked Oct 4, 2015 at 13:10
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1Be warned -- red kidney beans contain a substance in them that will make you sick if consumed in large amounts. You must boil them for a few minutes to inactivate the chemical. You'd be better off with pinto or black beans if you're planning to cook them solely in a slow cooker. See fda.gov/Food/FoodborneIllnessContaminants/…– JoeOct 4, 2015 at 22:34
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1That's in all beans– TFDOct 5, 2015 at 7:47
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4It is in many beans, but Red Kidney Beans have the highest concentration. You want to boil the beans first after soaking them. Then add them to the slow cooker.– EscoceOct 5, 2015 at 18:32
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2 Answers
I have done a lot of cooking with beans and I will usually soak them overnight and then slow cook them for an additional 5-7 hours. If I forget to soak them, I will usually have to put them on the stove and boil them on high heat for almost 2 hours stirring constantly.
As far as Chili goes, I have always preferred a mixture of Red Kidney Beans, Black Beans, And "Great Northern Beans" (white beans)
answered Oct 4, 2015 at 22:59
Soak with 1 1/2 T kosher salt dissolved in 8 cups of water overnight. Rinse beans and cook with fresh water adding a teaspoon of salt in the beginning. This method of brining the beans gives you more flavorful beans and also gives you a more consistent outcome. You do not have to soak beans, but not soaking will increase the cooking time.
