Soybeans make a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal. They’re low in fat and rich in dietary protein and fiber, so they pack a serious punch! If you’re wondering how to cook dried soybeans, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over how to cook them on the stove, in a pressure cooker, or in a slow cooker, plus how to roast them. We’ll also provide some delicious ideas for eating them, so keep reading!
Cooking Dried Soybeans on the Stove
Place your pre-soaked beans into a large pot, and cover them with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 4-6 hours. As the beans cook, periodically skim off the gray foam that forms on the surface of the water. The cooking liquid will also evaporate over time, so add more water as needed.
Steps
How to Cook Soybeans on the Stovetop
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Rinse and sort your soybeans. Wash your dried soybeans under cool running water, rubbing them with your hands to remove any dirt. Pick out any discolored or misshapen beans, loose hulls, grit, or debris. [1] X Research source
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Soak your soybeans overnight. Place soybeans in a large bowl and cover with water, and add some salt. Use 3 cups (700 milliliters) of cold water and 1 teaspoon of salt for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. Put the bowl into the refrigerator, and allow your beans to soak overnight (8-10 hours). [2] X Research source
- Make sure to refrigerate your beans while they soak—don’t simply leave them out on the counter!
- Refrigerating the beans will keep them from fermenting, especially in warmer climates. [3] X Research source
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Drain and rinse your soybeans one more time. Once the beans have soaked, they’re finally ready to cook. Pour them into a colander, and shake gently to remove any excess water.
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Place your soybeans in a large pot and cover them with water. Make sure that your pot is large enough—the cooking process will create a lot of foam, which could overflow if your pot is too small. Your dried soybeans should only reach about 1/4th of the height of the pot on their own, and once the water is added, it shouldn’t reach more than 1/3rd of the pot’s height. [4] X Research source
- Use 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. [5] X Research source
- Add 1 tsp (6 grams) of salt for flavor, if desired.
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Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for 4-6 hours. First, bring the water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Allow the beans to simmer over this heat for about 4-6 hours, until they are tender. [6] X Research source
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Skim off the gray foam periodically. As your beans are cooking, keep a close eye on them. You’ll likely see a lot of foam forming, and it may boil over if you aren’t paying attention. Use a slotted spoon to periodically scoop out the foam and any floating hulls. [7] X Research source
- Over time, the water will start to evaporate. Add more water to the pot as needed to replace the evaporated liquid. [8] X Research source
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Drain the beans and remove their hulls. Once your beans are fully cooked, their loose hulls will rise to the surface. Skim off these hulls with a slotted spoon, then pour your beans into a colander to drain. [9] X Research source Let the beans cool for a few minutes, then use your fingers to remove any leftover hulls that you see.
- And that’s it! Your soybeans are now fully cooked and ready to serve or add to other recipes.
- You can store your cooked soybeans in small containers or resealable bags in the freezer, or you can refrigerate them in an airtight container. [10] X Research source
How to Cook Soybeans in a Pressure Cooker
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Soak the beans overnight then drain and rinse them. Rinse your soybeans and remove any dirt or debris. Place them in a large bowl with water, and allow them to soak in the refrigerator overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans once more.
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Add the soybeans, water, vegetable oil, and salt to the pressure cooker. Add 3 cups (700 milliliters) of water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. [11] X Research source Add 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of salt. [12] X Research source This helps reduce frothing and foaming while cooking. [13] X Research source
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Cook the soybeans for about 20 minutes. Close and seal your pressure cooker, and cook the beans for about 20 minutes. [14] X Research source Then, turn off the heat and allow your pressure cooker to cool and slowly release the pressure. [15] X Research source
- Remove the beans from the pressure cooker, drain, and enjoy!
- Note: Be sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your pressure cooker.
How to Cook Soybeans in a Slow Cooker
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Rinse your soybeans and soak them overnight. This is an easy, no-fuss option. It’s the perfect choice if you’re too busy to watch a pot of soybeans closely on the stove. Rinse your soybeans and remove dirt or debris. Next, place your beans in a large bowl with water, and soak in the fridge overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans once more.
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Cook the soybeans in water for about 6-8 hours. Add your pre-soaked soybeans into your slow cooker. Cover with water, using about 4 cups (950 mL) water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. [16] X Research source
- Add in 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of salt.
- Cook on high heat for 6-8 hours, or until tender.
- Allow to cool a bit, and serve! [17] X Research source
Community Q&A
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QuestionMy soybeans have been cooking for 6 hours in a pan and they are still like bullets! How much longer do they need?Community AnswerThe best approach is to soak them overnight, then pressure cook them for 10-15 minutes. There is no need to cook that long on the stove top, it's inefficient and as you have found, not that effective either.
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QuestionCan I eat raw soybeans?Community AnswerNo, you should cook them first.
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QuestionWhat is the best way to store boiled soybeans and how long will they keep?Community AnswerIn an airtight container that is clean and covered. Put them in the refrigerator. They should keep for 4 or 5 days.
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Tips
- 1 cup (200 grams) of dry soybeans makes 2 ½ - 3 cups (500 - 600 grams) of cooked beans. [24] X Research sourceThanks
- Canned soybeans are already cooked, so you only need to drain and rinse the beans before using them in your recipe. [25] X Research sourceThanks
- Unless a recipe specifies "black" soybeans, use regular "white" soybeans, which have a yellow-ish tint to them. [26] X Research sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://recipes.net/articles/how-to-cook-dried-soybeans/
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ http://www.cooksinfo.com/soybeans
- ↑ http://www.justhungry.com/cooking-whole-dried-soybeans
- ↑ http://www.cooksinfo.com/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://recipes.net/articles/how-to-cook-dried-soybeans/
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/soy-beans-in-the-pressure-cooker/
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://food.unl.edu/article/how-cook-dry-beans-scratch
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://www.bobsredmill.com/recipes/how-to-make/soy-beans-in-the-pressure-cooker/
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/crock-baked-soybeans-250203
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/roasted-soy-nuts-280911
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-edamame
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/how-to-cook-edamame/#toc-how-to-cook-frozen-edamame-shelled
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
- ↑ http://www.cooksinfo.com/soybeans
- ↑ https://lesliebeck.com/foods/soybeans
About This Article
If you're cooking dry soybeans, place them in a bowl of water and soak them overnight in your refrigerator. After draining, bring 1 cup of the soybeans and 4 cups of water to a boil in a large cooking pot. Then lower the heat and simmer the beans for 3 more hours. Make sure to add more water as it evaporates so the soybeans are always submerged. Before serving, drain the soybeans and season them to taste. To learn other ways to cook soybeans, like how to use them in a crock pot, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "I did not realize soybeans required cooking for 3 hours. I attempted to use a solar oven to cook beans, and the black and pinto might have been close but the soybeans were not. I now realize I might need to adjust which beans I use. " ..." more