How Long to Boil Beans

Beans are a member of the legume family and a nutritious source of amino acids and other essential nutrients. Beans are popular in dishes around the world and are especially prominent in plant-based cooking.

Many prefer to use canned beans, but true connoisseurs tend to stick with dried beans. Why? They store well, usually stay fresh for over a year, they’re often cheaper than canned versions and the texture of cooked dried beans is creamier and richer than canned beans.

All you need to know to make the leap from canned to dried varieties is how long to boil beans. Keep reading for all the information you’ll need to start boiling beans!

How Long Does it Take to Boil Beans?

The length of time it takes to boil beans depends on several factors, including:

• What type of beans you’re boiling,
• Whether or not you soak them prior to boiling
• How long you soak them

Here are the basic steps of boiling (most) beans:

1. Soak the beans 5-12 hours as directed, depending on which variety you decide to use.
2. Drain the beans, place into a pot of water and bring to a boil.
3. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the beans to simmer for the recommended amount of time, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the beans have cooked through and passed your taste test, drain them, season and serve.

The boiling time required for each bean is much shorter than the amount of time they need to be simmered after boiling.

Answered: How Long to Boil Beans

The length of time for boiling beans varies greatly depending on the type of bean you’re boiling, but most beans will boil for less than 10 minutes and then simmer 1 – 3 hours until soft, creamy and cooked through.

Does it Matter if I Soak the Beans First?

Yes, soaking the beans can make a huge difference in the actual cook time. Typically, the longer you soak the beans, the faster they will cook once exposed to heat.

How Long to Boil Beans After Soaking

After being soaked and rinsed, beans usually get boiled for less than 10 minutes and then simmered for a minimum of 30 minutes (but usually upwards of an hour).

How Long to Boil Dry Beans

If you’re cooking your beans without soaking them first, the boiling time isn’t typically affected. Instead, dry beans that have been boiled take a longer time to simmer – often hours longer than if they had been previously soaked, especially in the case of larger beans.

How Long to Boil 20 Different Types of Beans

1. How Long to Boil Black Beans

Black beans are one of the most common types of beans and should be boiled for 10 minutes and simmered for at least 2 hours.

2. How Long to Boil Pinto Beans

Boil pinto beans for 2 minutes and then simmer for an additional 120 minutes until tender.

3. How Long to Boil String Beans

String beans should be boiled for 5 minutes and then drained immediately.

4. How Long to Boil Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas)

Garbanzo beans, known in some parts of the world as chickpeas, should be boiled for 2 minutes and then simmered for 2 hours.

5. How Long to Boil Kidney Beans

Boil kidney beans for a minimum of 10 minutes and then simmer for a minimum of 45 minutes before consuming.

6. How Long to Boil Red Beans

Red beans need to boil for at least 10 minutes and then simmer for 30 minutes.

7. How Long to Boil Yellow Wax Beans

Yellow wax beans should be boiled for 5 minutes, strained and then seasoned and enjoyed.

8. How Long to Boil Butter Beans

Boil butter beans for 10 minutes and follow up with a 45-minute simmer to get the most tender beans.

9. How Long to Boil Green Lentils

Green lentils (sometimes just referred to as lentils) should be boiled for 1 minute and then simmered for at least 20 minutes.

10. How Long to Boil Split Peas

Though peas aren’t technically a bean, they are in the legume family, are often grouped with beans and respond similarly to hot water. Boil split peas for 1 minute and then allow them to simmer for 20 minutes.

11. How Long to Boil Aduki Beans

Boil aduki beans for 1 minute and then let them simmer for a minimum of 1 hour.

12. How Long to Boil Red Lentils

Red lentils should simmer for at least 20 minutes after boiling for 1 minute.

13. How Long to Boil Mixed Beans

Mixed beans include several different types and should be boiled for 30 minutes to make sure all varieties are cooked through.

14. How Long to Boil Black Eyed Peas

Boil black eyed peas for 1 minute and then allow them to simmer for 45 minutes.

15. How Long to Boil Puy Lentils

Puy lentils should be boiled for 1 minute, followed by 30 minutes of simmering over medium-low heat.

16. How Long to Boil Yellow Split Peas

Yellow split peas need to be simmered for 25 minutes after boiling for 1 minute.

17. How Long to Boil Flageolet Beans

Boil flageolet beans for 5 minutes, then let them simmer for a minimum of 90 minutes.

18. How Long to Boil Soya Beans (Soybeans)

Soya beans, or soybeans, cook quickly and should be boiled for 6 minutes.

19. How Long to Boil Marrowfat Peas

Marrowfat peas should be boiled for 1 minute and then simmered for an hour.

20. How Long to Boil Black Turtle Beans

Boil black turtle beans for 2 minutes before reducing the heat to a simmer for at least an hour and a half.

Kitchen Chart: How Long to Boil Beans

Type of Beans	How Long to Boil (in minutes)
Black beans	10 minutes (plus 2 hours of simmering)
Pinto beans	2 minutes (plus 2 hours of simmering)
String beans	5 minutes
Garbanzo beans	2 minutes (plus 2 hours of simmering)
Kidney beans	10 minutes (plus 45 minutes of simmering)
Red beans	10 minutes (plus 30 minutes of simmering)
Yellow wax beans	5 minutes
Butter beans	10 minutes (plus 45 minutes of simmering)
Green lentils	1 minute (plus 20 minutes of simmering)
Split peas	1 minute (plus 20 minutes of simmering)
Aduki beans	1 minute (plus 60 minutes of simmering)
Red lentils	1 minutes (plus 20 minutes of simmering)
Mixed beans	30 minutes
Black eyed peas	1 minute (plus 45 minutes of simmering)
Puy lentils	1 minute (plus 30 minutes of simmering)
Yellow split peas	1 minute (plus 25 minutes of simmering)
Flageolet beans	5 minutes (plus 90 minutes of simmering)
Soya beans (soybeans)	6 minutes
Marrowfat peas	1 minute (plus 60 minutes of simmering)
Black turtle beans	2 minutes (plus 90 minutes of simmering)

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