When it comes to going ‘Microfrugal’ on your groceries, switching from prepared foods to their dried counterparts can often save you a good chunk of change. Looking for a good place to start? It’s all about the beans!

Which is Cheaper: Dried or Canned beans?

Dried beans average at least half to two-thirds of the price of reconstituted (canned) beans. If you’re able to purchase in bulk, you’re often able to save much more. A recent search at a local grocer yielded a 16 oz. bag of dried black beans for $1.47, while a 15.5 oz. can of black beans cost $0.74.

You’re probably thinking, “wait a minute, the canned beans sound like a better deal!”, right? Not so fast! One 16 oz. bag of beans tends to yield the same amount of beans as 3 cans. So in this example, you’re saving roughly 50% on your beans.

If you had purchase 3 cans of beans per week and made the switch to dried beans, you’d be saving approximately $25 per year. It may not sound like much, but when you consider that it is only one item out of possibly hundreds that you purchase over the course of a year, it all ads up. That’s what being MicroFrugal is all about.

Other Benefits to Dried Beans

• Dried beans often store easier than canned, and if kept in a cool, dark place, keep good for up to a year or more. If you open a package or buy in bulk, make sure to place them in an airtight container.
• They are often easier to store, since they take up only one-third of the space and don’t come in a rigid can form.
• You’re helping to reduce your carbon footprint by avoiding the purchase of aluminum cans and the extra storage weight and volume that come from canned beans.

How to Cook Dried Beans

Recipes will vary by bean variety, but here are some general rules. Keep in mind that one cup of dried beans will yield two cups of cooked beans.

Dried Bean Cooking: Step 1 – Soaking

There are two ways that you can soak dried beans:

1. Overnight: Rinse your beans, place in a container with double the water, and let soak for 8 hours or more.
2. Quick Soak: Rinse the beans, place in pot with double the water, and cook for five minutes. Then cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let the beans soak for an hour.

Dried Bean Cooking: Step 2 – Cooking the Beans

Drain the beans from the water they were soaked in and put into pot.

Cover with fresh water (about 2 inches above the beans).

Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover with lid partially and cook until tender (usually takes at least an hour).

Time Saving Bean Cooking Tip

If you want to avoid the time involved in cooking, simply cook up large batches and then freeze the beans. When you want to use them later all you need to do is de-thaw, and you’re ready to go.

Frugalheads:

What bean or other dried food cooking tips do you have to save money?

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