It’s easy and economical to use a pressure canner to can dried beans (pinto, garbanzo, black, etc.), for long term storage and convenience.
In an effort to stock up my canned foods pantry a couple years ago, I decided to learn how to can dried beans. The process is fairly simple using a pressure canner, and now my pantry stays well stocked with canned black beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, and others!
As I said, you will need to have a Pressure Canner to be able to can dried beans safely. I went straight to one of my Ball Blue Books-Guide To Preserving for my instructions (I love their books!). Here’s how easy it is to can dried beans:
Scroll Down For A Printable Recipe Card At The Bottom Of The Page
How To Can Dried Beans
First thing you need to do is prepare the beans (the picture below is pinto beans). Wash the dried beans under cool water then drain. Place them in a large saucepan.
Fill the pan with water until beans are fully covered by 2 inches of water above beans. Bring it to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove pan from the heat; let the beans soak uncovered for an hour.
Cook The Beans
After they have soaked for an hour, drain. Place drained beans back into a large saucepan, and add enough water to cover by two inches again. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a very low boil. Cover the saucepan and let beans cook for 30 minutes.
While the beans are cooking, prepare the pressure canner, canning jars, lids and screw bands according to manufacturer instructions. When beans are done cooking, pack the beans into prepared, hot jars. Leave 1 inch headspace in each jar. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to each jar.
Fill The Prepared Canning Jars
Ladle the hot cooking liquid or clean boiling water over the beans, being sure to still leave a 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles from each jar, then take a wet paper towel and make sure the rims are clean. Center the flat lids on each of the jars, then tighten screw bands to fingertip tight.
Time To Can Dried Beans
Put the filled jars onto rack and into pressure canner (which has 2-3 inches of simmering water). Put the canner lid on and lock it into place, Turn heat to medium-high. Let the steam vent for 10 minutes, then put the weighted gauge over vent. Process beans at 10 pounds pressure. Pint jars are processed for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Quart jars are processed for 1 hour, 30 minutes.
When processing time is completed, turn off heat and let the canner cool until it reaches zero pressure. Wait 5 additional minutes, then carefully remove lid. Let the jars cool for 5-10 minutes, then carefully remove jars from canner using canning tongs.
After Processing
Place the hot jars onto a dish towel (try not to place jars directly onto kitchen counter. Variances in temperature could possibly cause jars to crack). Let jars cool for 12 hours, then check to make sure they are properly sealed, then label and store in your pantry!
I’ve canned many jars since learning how to can dried beans. It is very convenient to not have to run to the grocery store when I need beans! I’ve used the garbanzo beans for my homemade hummus, and the black and pinto beans in my homemade chili.
Hope you will try to can dried beans, and enjoy stocking your pantry! It really is a fairly easy way to save lots of money, and to always have canned beans on hand!
Looking For More CANNING Recipes?
You can find all my recipes in the Recipe Index, located at the top of the page. I have some great canning recipes you might be interested in, including:
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Recipe Source: “Ball Blue Book – Guide To Preserving”, copyright 2014, Hearthmark, LLC, page 111.
- 5 pounds dried beans (kidney, garbanzo, black, pinto Great Northern or cranberry)
- Water , to fill jars
- 3 teaspoons Salt
- Wash dried beans under cool water, then drain. Place beans in a large saucepan. Fill pan with water until beans are fully covered by 2 inches of water (above beans). Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat; let beans soak uncovered for an hour.
- After beans have soaked an hour, drain. Place drained beans back into large saucepan; add enough water to cover by two inches again. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a very low boil. Cover the saucepan and let beans cook for 30 minutes.
- While the beans are cooking, prepare pressure canner, canning jars, lids and screw bands according to manufacturer instructions. When beans are done cooking, pack beans into prepared hot jars. Leave 1 inch headspace in each jar. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt to each jar. Ladle hot cooking liquid or clean boiling water over beans, being sure to leave a 1 inch headspace. Remove air bubbles from jars, then take a wet paper towel and make sure rims are clean. Center the flat lids on jars, then tighten screw bands to fingertip tight.
- Put filled jars onto rack and into pressure canner (which has 2-3 inches of simmering water). Put canner lid on, lock it into place, Turn heat to medium-high. Let the steam vent for 10 minutes, then put the weighted gauge over vent. Process beans at 10 pounds pressure. Pint jars are processed for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Quart jars are processed for 1 hour, 30 minutes.
- When processing time is completed, turn off heat and let canner cool until it reaches zero pressure. Wait 5 additional minutes, then carefully remove lid. Let the jars cool in pan for 5-10 minutes, then carefully remove jars from canner using canning tongs. Place hot jars on a dish towel (don't put jars directly onto kitchen counter. Variances in temperature could cause jars to crack). Let jars cool for 12 hours, then check to make sure they are properly sealed, then label and store in your pantry!
Here’s one more to pin on your Pinterest boards!
Will these beans be fully cooked after they are canned? If not, how long will they need to be cooked when using after storage? Thanks for all the beautiful recipes you have shared!
Good morning, Elizabeth! Thanks for taking the time to write. Yes… the beans will be fully cooked after canning them. Once I open a jar, I rinse and drain them before adding them to another recipe (just like if you bought canned beans). Hope that helps. Thank you for your kind note… I think it is fun to share recipes I’ve discovered and made that are really yummy with others! Have a wonderful day!