Adding beans to your meals is an efficient, healthy and inexpensive way to boost your dishes' nutritional intake and flavor in minutes. Beans can be purchased dried, fresh and canned and come in dozens of varieties. Black beans are commonly used to make savory dishes like salsa Fresca and homemade dip, whereas white beans, like cannellini beans, can be used in sweet recipes like Harvest Sweet Bean Pie. Cannellini beans' versatility and mild flavor make them a favorite amongst eaters everywhere. Want to learn more about how you can cook and enjoy Cannellini beans? Continue reading as we discuss how to cook cannellini beans and the many different ways you can use them.

What Are Cannellini Beans?

Before we dive right into how to cook cannellini beans, let's take a moment to discuss what these beans are and where they come from. Cannellini beans are a type of legume that is also referred to as a white bean. The term white beans can be somewhat confusing, as several kinds of beans fall under this category. For example, navy beans, baby lima beans and Great Northern beans are all classified as white beans. However, the cannellini bean's shape and size set them apart from the rest. Cannellini beans are typically the largest type of white bean on shelves and have a distinct kidney shape. Their mild flavor is nutty and earthy and their texture has a tender, meaty chew. These beans are often found in Italian dishes and used to create meals like soup, stew, casserole, salad and chili.

How to Cook Cannellini Beans

The method you use to cook cannellini beans will largely depend on the type of bean purchased. Fresh, canned and dried cannellini beans are all cooked uniquely. To ensure that your next batch of beans is perfectly cooked, we've rounded up the best ways to make each. Keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions. 

How to Cook Dried Cannellini Beans

Cooking dried cannellini beans requires the most amount of time. However, once cooked, the beans will provide a fresh and delicious taste that will complement any recipe. Here's how to properly cook dried cannellini beans.

Step 1: Check the Expiration Date

Before you begin to cook your beans, check the expiration date. Beans that have recently expired will form a firm and chewy texture upon cooking. Dried cannellini beans should be used within 2 years of harvest. While figuring out when your bag of beans was harvested isn't an easy feat, you should be able to estimate their freshness by the best-by date printed on the bag. So, before purchasing or cooking beans, check the best-by date and make sure that you will use them before then.

Step 2: Soak the Beans (optional)

To soak or not to soakis one of the most commonly asked questions when cooking beans. The benefit of soaking beans ahead of time is that it will reduce their cook time the day of. So, if you don't have much time to cook in the kitchen, be sure to soak your beans the night before. On the other hand, if you enjoy the extra time spent in the kitchen, skip this step and head straight to the next one. 

Soaking Methods

If you do choose to soak beans beforehand, there are a couple of methods that you can use. Here are the most common.

Overnight Soaking

Soaking beans overnight is an excellent choice if you're looking to reduce cook time and create a plump, well-cooked bean. Pre-soaking beans also make them easier to digestthe key when cooking for individuals with sensitive stomachs.

How to Soak Beans Overnight

1. Place the desired amount of cannellini beans into a bowl and cover it with water.
2. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap.
3. Allow beans to soak overnight on the countertop.
4. Drain, rinse and cook the beans as intended.

Quick-Soaking

While the overnight soaking method is simple, it's not practical for those who want to make beans on the same day. Luckily, there is another way that you can soak cannellini beans to reduce cook time and create a great flavorquick-soaking.

How to Quick Soak Beans

1. Place cannellini beans into a medium-sized pot.
2. Cover the beans with water.
3. Bring the water and beans to a bowl.
4. Cover the pot and remove from heat.
5. Allow the beans to sit in the warm water for an hour.
6. Add beans to the desired recipe.

Skip Soaking All Together

If you don't have time to plan ahead, or are looking to create a more creamy bean base, you might choose to forgo soaking beans altogether. Beans can be cooked dry without soaking. However, they will take longer to cook. Still, unsoaked beans do have their benefits. Beans that have not been soaked tend to produce a more creamy texture and bright, bolder colors which may be necessary when following specific recipes. 

Step 3: Cook Cannellini Beans

Whether you're working with soaked or unsoaked beans, several different cooking methods exist. Here are the most common methods used when cooking cannellini beans.

Stovetop

Cooking cannellini beans on the stovetop is an excellent method for homemade cooks. To cook beans on the stove, only three materials are requireda large pot, water and salt. It's an excellent option for home cooks who don't have a slow cooker or multi-cooker and enjoy spending time in the kitchen. To cook cannellini beans on the stovetop, follow the steps below.

How to Cook Beans on the Stovetop

1. Soak or rinse beans before cooking.
2. Place 1 cup of beans into a large pot.
3. Add 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt to the pot of beans.
4. Bring the beans and water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Once simmering, cover the pot and cook the beans until tenderabout 90 minutes.
6. Drain well.

Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are a low-maintenance way to cook great-tasting beans. Add your rinsed or pre-soaked beans to your slow cooker, place the top on and let it work its magic. Check off things on your to-do list while the beans cook, or prep the other ingredients in the recipe.

How to Cook Beans in the Slow Cooker

1. Rinse or pre-soak cannellini beans.
2. Add 1 cup beans into a slow cooker.
3. Add 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt.
4. Cover and cook. Cook on low for 5 hours or on high for 3 hours.
5. Drain well.

Multi-Cooker

Want to whip up a tasty batch of beans but are short on time? Use a multi-cooker. Cooking beans with a multi-cooker will produce a perfectly cooked pot of beans in under an hour. And, because everything is added to the same pot, it makes for easy clean-up too! 

How to Cook Beans in the Multi-Cooker

1. Rinse or pre-soak cannellini beans.
2. Place 1 cup beans into the pot of a multi-cooker.
3. Add 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt.
4. Set the valve to sealing.
5. Set to manual setting and high pressure for 35 minutes.
6. Naturally release the pressure when done.
7. Drain well.

Whether you use one, or all of the methods above to cook cannellini beans, we're confident they will turn out great. The next step? Adding these delicious beans to your favorite recipes.

Cannellini Bean Recipes

If you are eager to begin cooking with cannellini beans, look at the recipes below for inspiration.

Creamy Cannellini Bean Dip

Cannellini beans make a great addition to all sorts of recipes. That said, they also make an excellent main ingredient. To create an out-of-this-world delicious dip recipe, combine cannellini beans with flavorful spices, herbs and veggies like garlic and rosemary. This Creamy Cannellini Bean Dip is the perfect addition to your appetizer platter and can be paired with vegetables like celery, broccoli and carrots for a healthy and flavorful snack. Moreover, this dip can be used as a spread and enjoyed as a part of your favorite sandwich recipe.

Harvest Sweet Bean Pie

Though beans are often enjoyed as a savory side dish, you can also use cannellini beans to create mouthwatering desserts like this Harvest Sweet Bean Pie. Beans make an excellent pie filling when cooked, pureed and combined with warm spices. Not only do they boost the nutritional value of the dish, but they also provide a velvety smooth texture. Naturally gluten free, high fiber and soy free, this tasty pie recipe is one that everyone can enjoy. Cannellini beans are a great tasting and nutritious food that is easy to cook at home. Review the several ways you can cook cannellini beans above to determine which method works the best for your time frame and cooking style. Then, use what you've learned to create a delicious recipe like this Italian Bean Stew. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, happy cooking!