Do we always have to rinse canned beans? Food experts explain
When it comes to making a big pot of chilli or a TikTok-viral Dense Bean Salad, there are a lot of steps involved. There’s chopping a mountain of vegetables, measuring out seasonings, and then cleaning all of the dishes afterwards. So when it’s time to open up a can of beans, you may be tempted to spare the extra dish and skip the rinse.
Canned beans are stored in their own cooking liquid, also known as aquafaba. Recipes have long called for pouring the liquid down the drain and rinsing the excess off the surface of the beans. But aquafaba has somewhat recently entered the spotlight as a popular egg substitute in vegan recipes.
With new and exciting uses for the liquid in a can of beans, it might prompt some people to wonder: what if we just didn’t rinse our beans? I consulted Delish's team of food experts to share their thoughts on what to do with aquafaba.
Should you rinse your beans?
There’s no truly right answer, because it depends on what you’re cooking. That being said, there are a few important considerations to note before you open up a can.
The first thing you should ask yourself: is this dish particularly saucy or brothy? If so, you have a lot more leeway when it comes to rinsing. Aquafaba has an inherently bean-forward flavour that people may not find appetizing on its own. But it can be easily masked with the addition of other ingredients in a sauce.
Bean liquid can also benefit your soups, stews, and sauces. Because of the slightly viscous consistency, aquafaba imparts more body and textural richness to a dish. Delish's Senior Food Director, Robert Seixas, says that he’s a “huge fan of can liquid in soups and stews” for this very reason.
But even with those perks, it’s still up to you and your preference. Delish's Food Editor Brooke Caison is staunchly opposed to skipping the rinse: “Bean can water, while sometimes necessary, is nasty looking and smelling. Not a fan.”
Delish's Assistant Food Editor (and resident bean expert) Taylor Ann Spencer typically rinses her beans for recipes, but admits that it’s not always necessary.
When is it necessary to rinse your beans?
There are times when rinsing off the aquafaba is essential. If your recipe doesn’t contain a large amount of liquid—think falafel, veggie burgers, or crispy roasted chickpeas—the extra aquafaba may negative impact the texture.
It’s also not advisable to leave your beans unrinsed when they’ll only be minimally dressed, like in a salad, for instance. The viscosity of the aquafaba can coat your tongue in a less-than-pleasant way, and the bean flavour will likely be pretty prominent.
The decision to rinse your beans also comes down to the brand you buy. Many canned beans are made with heavily seasoned aquafaba, which can be too salty to be used in a recipe. Instead, it’s worth buying low-sodium varieties that can offer the textural benefits without adding excess salt.
More healthy eating...
Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER
You Might Also Like
