The Secret to Cooking Beans the Right Way

Beans have a lot of health benefits. They are good sources of fiber, protein, and other nutrients. It helps in reducing stomach issues such as constipation and increases healthy gut bacteria. The most common reason why people stay away from beans is that it causes bloating, which can make you fart all day. So, how do you make them more digestible? I learned the secret to cooking beans the right way through Choosing My Health‘s video on YouTube.

RELATED: Easy Skillet Cheesy Baked Green Beans Recipe

She has shown a lot of ways to de-gas beans at home, which is very helpful, especially if you love eating them. You can enjoy all the nutrients and benefits of this plant-based protein without feeling bloated! Not only that, I also learned about the beans that produce the most amount of gas and which produce the least. Try these tips next time when you cook them at home.

Here are some different recipes that you can choose from: Instant Pot White Beans Recipe, White Beans and Ham Soup Recipe, and Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice.

How to De-gas Beans

1 – Soak the beans

Soaking the beans helps reduce the gas-producing sugars in the beans so they are easier to digest. Place your dried beans in a pot and cover it with water. Let them sit for 6 to 8 hours, then drain and rinse.

2 – Pressure cooker

Using an instant pot can also help break down the sugars. Add the drained beans to your pressure cooker. Pour water until it is at least 2 inches above the beans. Add your seasonings. Set the cooking mode on high for about 20 minutes.

3 – Baking soda

You can also use baking soda to break down hard-to-digest sugars. Simply add baking soda to your soaking water. It should be 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda for a cup of dried beans. Let them soak for about 3 to 4 hours overnight. Rinse several times before cooking. This will speed up the cooking time and also make it extra buttery.

4 – Kombu

Kombu contains enzymes that can help break down difficult plant compounds and fibers into something your body can process more easily. It will also add an umami flavor to your beans. Just add a strip of this seaweed to your beans while they are cooking.

5 – Special seasonings

Consider adding ajwain or epazote. Both of these seasonings decrease gas. Just add them to your pot while cooking. You can also use ginger, turmeric, fennel, and cumin.

How to Degas Canned Beans

1 – Rinse and soak them for one to two hours. Soaking them for a little bit of time can help a long way.

2 – You can cook them with an acid like lemon or tomatoes to help degas the beans. Make sure to add them toward the end part of cooking.

Beans With the Least Gas and the Most

Not all types of beans produce the same amount of gas.

Beans that are easier to digest

• • atsuki beans, black-eyed peas beans, mung beans, and lentils

Beans that cause the most gas

• • navy beans, chickpea, and kidney beans

The Secret to Cooking Beans the Right Way