Do You Really Need to Rinse Canned Beans? Experts Reveal the Surprising Truth

When it comes to preparing a large batch of soup, chili or a TikTok-viral Dense Bean Salad There are numerous steps involved. You'll be dicing a large quantity of vegetables, carefully measuring the spices, and afterward tidying up everything. dishes Afterward, so when it’s time to pop open a can of beans , you might be inclined to save an additional dish by skipping the pre-rinse.

Canned beans come preserved in their cooking liquid, which is commonly referred to as aquafaba. Traditionally, recipes instruct you to discard this liquid and rinse away any extra residue from the beans' surface. However, aquafaba has lately gained attention as a favored alternative to eggs in various dishes. vegan recipes .

With fresh and intriguing applications for the liquid from a can of beans, someone might start pondering: what if we simply didn’t Should we rinse our beans? I asked our group of culinary specialists for their insights on how to handle aquafaba.

Do You Need to Wash Your Beans?

There isn’t really one correct answer since it varies based on what you're preparing. Nonetheless, here are some key points to keep in mind before cracking open a can.

The initial question you ought to consider is whether the dish is notably saucy or soupy. Should that be the case, you'll have greater flexibility regarding washing. The aquafaba possesses a distinctively legume-like taste which some individuals might not enjoy unadulterated. However, this flavor can be readily concealed through incorporating additional elements into your sauce.

Bean liquid can enhance your soups, stews, and sauces as well. Thanks to its somewhat thick texture, aquafaba adds more substance and a richer mouthfeel to dishes. Our Senior Food Director, Robert Seixas mentions that he is a "big admirer of using canned liquids in soups and stews" precisely for this reason.

However, despite these benefits, the choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences. Food Editor Brooke Caison staunchly disagrees with bypassing the rinsing step: "While bean watering might be occasionally needed, it looks and smells unpleasant. Not a supporter of this method."

Associate Food Editor (and our go-to beans specialist) Taylor Ann Spencer Usually washes her beans for recipes, but acknowledges that this step isn’t always required.

At What Point Should You Drain Your Beans?

Sometimes, you need to rinse off the aquafaba, particularly when your recipe does not include a significant volume of liquids—imagine falafel , veggie burgers , or crispy roasted chickpeas —The additional aquafaba could negatively affect the texture.

It’s equally unadvisable to avoid rinsing your beans when they will only have minimal dressing, as in a salad For example, the viscosity of the aquafaba might make your tongue feel coated in an unpleasant manner, and the taste of beans could be quite noticeable.

Whether you choose to rinse your beans depends largely on the brand you purchase. Numerous canned beans come packed with highly seasoned aquafaba, potentially making them overly salty for recipes. It's advisable to opt for low-sodium versions instead; these provide the desired texture without contributing extra salt.