How to Cook Dried Fava Beans

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Fava beans are high in fiber and contain folic acid, potassium and magnesium. These versatile legumes can be eaten alone or added to other dishes. Wash dried fava beans thoroughly, soak them, and remove their skin before cooking them.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Rehydrating the Fava Beans

PDF download Download Article
  1. Place the dried fava beans in a colander. Run them under a stream of cold water in the kitchen sink. Gently turn the beans with your fingers to ensure that they are clean.
    • Dried beans may contain dust and dirt that should be removed before cooking.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    Pour your dried fava beans in a large pot or bowl. For each 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beans, add 10 cups (2.4 L) of water. Let the beans soak overnight for approximately 8 hours. [1]
    • Once the beans have soaked enough, you will notice that they have expanded in size.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    Place your dried fava beans in a pot of water so that they are fully submerged. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to a boil for 3 minutes. Let the beans soak for 1 hour to fully rehydrate. [2]
    • The dried beans will need at least 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm) of water above them as they will expand as they soak.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    After doing a quick or overnight soak of your fava beans, bring them to the side of your sink. Position a large colander in the sink and pour the beans out into it. Lift the colander and shake it back and forth slowly to remove excess water. [3]
    • The water used to soak the beans contains residue released by the beans that can cause digestive upset if consumed.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Cooking Plain Fava Beans

PDF download Download Article
  1. After rinsing and soaking the dried beans, pinch each individual bean between your fingers. The skin should slip off easily. Discard the skins. [4]
    • Avoid cooking fava beans with the skin on as it is very tough and leathery.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    For each 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beans that you are going to cook, add 10 cups (2.4 L) of water to the pot. This is the same ratio that should be used for the overnight soak of your dried beans. Do this with fresh water with a pinch of salt added to it. [5]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    Place the pot on the stove. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat. Let the beans simmer until they are cooked through. [6]
    • Check the beans every 10 minutes by poking one with a fork. The fork should pierce the bean easily to indicate that it is fully cooked.
    • It may take up to 45 minutes for fava beans to cook.
  4. Place your colander in the sink. Pour your cooked, peeled beans into it to drain the water. Lift the colander and shake it back and forth very gently to get rid of extra water. [7]
    • Shaking the beans in the colander too vigorously may cause them to break or get mushy.
  5. For the best results, eat cooked fava beans or use them in a recipe right after preparing them. Peeled fava beans will lose some of their flavor and texture if they are stored after cooking. If you want to store fava beans, rehydrate them and refrigerate them with their skins still on. [8]
    6. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Making Fava Bean Dishes

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    Melt together the butter and olive oil over medium heat in a skillet pan. Add chopped garlic to the pan and sauté it for 1 minute. Add your cooked, peeled fava beans and continue sautéing for 5-7 minutes. [9]
    • Add salt and pepper as desired after cooking.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Dried Fava Beans
    Add 5 cups (1.2 L) of fava beans to a food processor. Add 1 peeled clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Emulsify the mixture and serve it immediately. [10]
    • Serve this appetizer with crackers or crudités.
  3. Add cooled, cooked fava beans to your favorite salad mixture. Toss with the dressing of your choice and serve it immediately. Fava beans can add lean protein and fiber to your already healthy dish. [11]
  4. Add cooked, peeled fava beans to your favorite combination of pasta and sauce. Toss the mixture together. Season it as desired with salt and pepper or fresh parmesan cheese.
    • For instance, make a fettucine primavera with cream sauce and fava beans, peas, and arugula.
    5. Advertisement


Video

Read Video Transcript

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      • Colander
      • Large pot or bowl
      • Salt
      • Fork
      • Sauté pan
      • Food processor

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Cook Rice in a Rice Cooker
      The 8 Best Ways to Fix Soggy Rice at Home
      How to
      Make Sticky Rice Using Regular Rice
      How to
      Blanch Green Beans
      2 Easy Ways to Make DIY Puffed Rice with or without Oil
      How to
      Cook Rice in a Slow Cooker
      How to
      Cook Jasmine Rice with a Rice Cooker
      How to
      Keep Rice Warm
      How to
      Cook Rice
      How to
      Prevent Rice from Sticking to the Bottom of a Pot
      How to
      Make Pressure Cooker Rice (with Recipes)
      How to
      Cook Parboiled Rice Using the Stove, Microwave, or Rice Cooker
      Making Quinoa in a Rice Cooker (Plus Flavoring Ideas)
      How to
      Cook Mung Beans
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      2. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      3. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      4. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      5. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      6. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      7. ↑ https://toriavey.com/how-to/fava-beans-how-to-cook-soak-peel-freeze/
      8. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/columns/in-season-now/article/fava-beans-in-season-in-may
      9. ↑ http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/gabriel-s-sauteed-fava-beans-117520
      1. ↑ https://www.reluctantgourmet.com/fava-beans/
      2. ↑ https://www.cookingchanneltv.com/devour/2013/06/25-ways-to-use-fava-beans

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Fava beans can take some time to cook, but the result of this nutritious dish is well worth it. Before you cook the beans, you’ll need to soak them overnight to hydrate them. Rinse the dried beans in a colander to clean off any dust or dirt. Then, place them in a large bowl with 10 cups of water per pound of beans. After at least 8 hours, drain the beans thoroughly, since the residue in this water can cause an upset stomach. Then, you’ll need to remove the skin of each bean by gently pinching them between your fingers. Place the peeled beans in a large pot with 10 cups of water for every pound of beans. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer. Every 10 minutes, check to see if the beans are done by poking one with a fork. If it’s soft, they’re done and you can drain the beans. To learn how to do a quick soak if you’re pressed for time, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 105,314 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement