Processing Dry Beans for Storage to Eat Year-Round

Beans are some of the easiest crops to grow and save for later to enjoy during winter. But there are a few tricks to processing dry beans properly. Watch Christy Wilhelmi of Gardenerd share her process, and a trick or two to make sure you get it right the first time.
Whether you’re new to gardening or a garden nerd veteran, there’s a place for you at Gardenerd.com Visit our website: gardenerd.com/
Consider becoming a Patreon Subscriber to support the free info we provide on this channel and at Gardenerd.com: / gardenerd
Catch up with the Gardenerd Gazette: gardenerd.com/gazette/
Get your copy of Gardening for Geeks 2020: gardenerd.com/shop-gardening-...
Purchase "400+ Tips for Organic Gardening Success": a.co/d/3BcT3qt
Follow Gardenerd on social media:
Twitter: / gardenerd1
Pinterest: / gardenerd
Instagram: / gardenerd1
Facebook: / gardenerd.com
#StoringBeans #OrganicGardening

[@Tammy-td5ok]

Gonna do this with my mom for a memory

[@ceegee4264]

I thought I would try a couple of beans this year, so this is my first year trying to grow King lima beans for soups. You just made the processing part very simple! I'm glad I found your channel. Thank you!!

[@DevinAkin]

Really helpful - thanks!

[@grandpajoneshomestead6903]

Thank You for another informative video. The fan idea to get rid of the chaff is a good way to separate it from the beans. I always learn something new from you. Best Wishes. Grandpa Jones. 😀

[@Gardenerd]

You're welcome!

[@cleo_travels]

Thank you so much. I have a favorite bean that I always use to make a pot of beans. I'm definitely going to try this as said bean is about $6 per pound. I'm totally doing this method!!

[@anstriagreenwood3365]

Thanks! Great tips.

[@ChillingwithMalc]

Cool. Thanks!

[@jimmyp371]

Thank you for the 3 day freeze trick!!

[@joan-lisa-smith]

Thank you

[@nobigwhoopdawg]

This answered all my questions on how I'd store beans if I decided to grow them this year. Thank you!

[@Gardenerd]

You're welcome! Happy gardening.

[@velise9649]

Exactly what I was looking for!

[@Gardenerd]

Glad you found us!

[@nelsonaguiar4361]

Thanks i learned something

[@sleeptighttonight8140]

Great video. Thanks

[@Gardenerd]

Very welcome

[@ahmarsyed1837]

Hi chresti good info. Thanks

[@sheliahoosier4382]

have beans to store, I think they are the Christmas bean. we had no idea what they were.large purple and white bean. watched videos wasn't sure if I needed to freeze , TFS

[@VelvetCrone]

great tip - freezer! thank you.

[@Gardenerd]

Any time!

[@jocelyneangol7422]

I plant pink bean they come light pink instead ones like we buy when go shopping from nature island of Dominica

[@ninthhousemedia1351]

If you’re going fully off grid, do you have any suggestions for prepping the beans without freezing them? Would some sort of cold storage or cellar type situation possibly work? I’m sure people must have had a way to get them to stay fresh before refrigeration.

[@Gardenerd]

I know that pickling was a big part of bean preservation before refrigeration. And cold cellars work to some degree but I don't know for how long. Mostly drying the beans (by dehydration or just letting them dry on the vine) is what I run across most. Or pressure canning will preserve the flavor without all the vinegar or sugar.

[@juliebourdon7816]

Thanks for the video! I was a little late harvesting my beans but they seemed to be adequately dried. However some of the beans themselves, while solid and good color, have traces of white fluffy mold that wipes off and leaves the bean looking normal. Should I just toss them?

[@Gardenerd]

The best thing to do is to toss any beans that look deformed, and put the rest in a jar and freeze them for 3 days. That should kill off any molds remaining. When you take them out, leave the jar sealed on the counter to acclimate. Then it will be ready for shelf storage.

[@user-rp9ur9kd8f]

Hello. Good informative video. When you remove the dried beans from the freezer, do you place the beans in a fresh container since any dead bugs, though microscopic, would be in the freezer container? Or so microscopic you just store in the same container after coming to room temperature?

[@Gardenerd]

We keep them in the same container and let the jar come to room temperature unopened on the counter when it comes out of the freezer. Then we store it in that jar on a pantry shelf.

[@user-rp9ur9kd8f]

Thank you so much for clarifying! @@Gardenerd

[@Uniq_Jer31vs33_GodHearsAndSees]

Hi. Very helpful video. Question: can you freeze the beans without blanching or drying?

[@Gardenerd]

You can, they just lose color when reconstituted and may be more mushy.

[@Uniq_Jer31vs33_GodHearsAndSees]

@@Gardenerd Thank you for answering. Have a wonderful day 💕

[@grinninggreen6750]

I dried some of my beans in the oven so I guessing they don't need to go in the freezer. I did however run into a problem. One jar ended up with the mold that looks like ice. Apparently they weren't dry enough. Maybe my hands were wet when I put them in. I always dry my hands after washing them, but that's the only think I can think of that might have been the reason for that jar ending up with mold. Anyway, any ideas as far as what I can do to make sure this doesn't accidentally happen again? I REALLY don't want to end up with all of my beans ending up in the garbage.

[@Gardenerd]

One of the final steps before shelf storage is to put them in the freezer for a few days. That kills off any mold and bugs that might remain. But yes, it sounds like your beans weren't completely dry. They should be really brittle, and should not dent when you try to pierce them with your fingernail. Use those metrics next time and see how it goes.

[@grinninggreen6750]

@@Gardenerd Sounds good to me. I'll give it another shot. Thank you. ^-^

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

Hi Christy,,,, we live in Maine, humidity usually high, and early first frosts. 1) How do we avoid beans from rotting instead of drying? 2) Will frost ruin the beans while drying? TYFS, Nice video.😊 Mark and Rosa

[@Gardenerd]

Good questions! Do you have a dehydrator? That could be your best friend in this situation. If not you can put your oven on very low or with just the pilot light (If it generates heat) for a couple days to dry them down completely before storage. As far as the frost question goes, I want to say that it depends on how far along those beans are when frost hits. If you are watching the forecast, you might be able to throw an insulating blanket over the beans if frost is in the forecast and the beans are still young. One source I saw actually said that dry beans are great to harvest after a first frost, once the leaves have dropped. You might try experimenting with half the crop to see if they survive your frost.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@Gardenerd Thank you

[@deborahthompson5041]

I learned from your video. I shell by hand, wash and let them dry. Then I freeze them in bags and cook when ready. Is this process ok? I didn't know they should be stored in jars. Thank you.

[@Gardenerd]

I haven't ever washed them before, but if it works for you and doesn't degrade the quality of the bean, go for it. We use jars to avoid plastic, but you can store them in bags or other containers if you like. The freezer part is key though, to kill off any eggs and microscopic critters.

[@tonyatoomey5244]

We picked beans more based on size rather than color, so some aren’t dried and some might be beyond good. I’m not sure how to tell the difference? If I jar them up and there’s moisture, won’t they mold? Thank you for the tips!

[@Gardenerd]

They might get moldy if they aren't completely dry. If you are planning to can them in a brine or pressure canning, just make sure they have no blemishes and they should be okay. But for dry bean storage, they need to be thoroughly dry. The beans that mold as they are drying probably wouldn't be viable for eating or growing from seed down the line anyway.

[@alaskaredhead]

Great video! I live off the grid and don't have access to a freezer around harvest time, could I drop an oxygen absorber in with the beans to prevent bacterial growth instead? Thanks! 💖

[@Gardenerd]

The freezing process is mostly to keep weevils and other critter that might be living in there. So the oxygen absorbers won't help much in that arena. But as far as mold, yes it will help.

[@joan-lisa-smith]

Put the jars outside once it freezes out, better late than never.

[@main2333]

Do we need to by organic free dry beans. I know seeds are not gmo and is organic so it’s not Necessary to spend extra for them. Is it the same with dry beans? Thinking of buying bulk.

[@Gardenerd]

You could try buying bulk beans from a store, but there's no way to guarantee they have been handled the same way seeds for gardening are. The germination rate can't be guaranteed, but if you're willing to experiment go for it.

[@cryfuzzylp2187]

Great video! I have a question: So, im in a situation where i had to get rid of all my bean plants, and this was before they were ready for harvest, so the bean casing is still green. It would be ashame to let it all go to waste, so i picked them all before we discarded the plants. What can i do to dry them? I removed them from the casings and now they are just laying on the kitchen counter? :(

[@Gardenerd]

If you can take the whole plant and hang it upside down somewhere in the dry location (dark garage, closet, shed) then they will continue to dry down instead of rotting. But it sounds like you've picked the beans off the plant already. Spread them out on a screen or newspaper in a warm dry location out of direct sunlight and turned every couple of days until they rattle and the beans are firm. If you want to remove the beans from their pods, then you can put them in a dehydrator to dry faster with air circulation. Just don't store them until they are firm and brittle.

[@cryfuzzylp2187]

@@Gardenerd Thank you very much! I will try this

[@lenac4016]

Can u collect the seeds from green beans bought from store?

[@Gardenerd]

The beans are usually dried first, then shelled from the pods. So the green beans from the store will not have mature seeds in them. They might rot before they dry or be non-viable. You could try it, but I prefer to let the pods dry completely on the vines before processing them for dry beans.

[@maryjokruer6127]

Curious…after the beans have been in the freezer and you take them out, isn’t that “thawing” and isn’t there moisture from that process that could cause mold?

[@Gardenerd]

If you keep the jar sealed shut when you take them out of the freezer, condensation doesn't form inside the jar, only on the outside. Leave the jar unopened on the counter until it comes back to room temperature and all condensation is evaporated. Then they are ready to open and store on the shelf.

[@ashapplemaple6481]

If you freeze them for the 3 days, can you use them for seed to grow next season? Will they still be viable?

[@Gardenerd]

Yes, they will still be viable. Many folks actually store their seeds in the freezer. I use the fridge because there is less of a temperature change when you take the seeds in and out of storage on a regular basis.

[@glorytogodhomestead3495]

For large amount of beans could I put them in a large plastic bag sealed in the freezer?

[@Gardenerd]

Yes, that would work too. Just make sure you let the bag come to room temperature before opening the bag.

[@rhondaellerbe3463]

Your amazing 😘

[@MrsThompson1]

Can I do the 3 day freeze in ziploc bags instead of the jar?

[@Gardenerd]

Sure. We just try to avoid using plastic as much as possible around here.

[@ninocka1983]

I bought some beans from this year harvest and I don't know are they dry enough. I have put them in big plastic bag and then in plastic bucket, but now I am wondering what if they are not dry enough they could mold...does anyone have any advice?

[@Gardenerd]

If you put them in the freezer for 3 days before storing, then let them come to room temperature without opening the jar or package, they will be safe to store on the shelf. To test if they are dry enough, you shouldn't be able to make a dent in the bean with your fingernail. If you can make a dent, they aren't dry enough yet.

[@ninocka1983]

@@Gardenerd Thank you! ;)

[@janellesearles9011]

Can you do this with lima beans?

[@Gardenerd]

Yes! Especially Christmas Lima beans. They are so pretty when they are dry. Give them a try and you'll be able to decorate your holiday table with them.

[@HF-eu2ei]

Do u ever share recipes too?🤔🙂

[@Gardenerd]

We share a lot of recipes on the Gardenerd blog: gardenerd.com/blog/. You can search "recipe" or any particular veggie + recipe in the search box on the right margin and enjoy more than a decade of cool recipes there.

[@HF-eu2ei]

Thank you. Will definitely check them out!👍🤗

[@cmmrris1]

The question that I can’t seem to get answered is….. can I eat my beans before they are dried? Can I pick them green, and eat them raw, or cooked in some butter or something like that? 🙏🏽

[@Gardenerd]

You can eat beans in their young stage before they dry. If you catch them on the late side, they will be fibrous (at least the pods will be), but you can certainly cook them and eat them before they mature and dry out. Some beans, like butter/lima have such a delightfully different flavor when they are fresh vs. when they are dry. I highly recommend trying those in both stages.

[@toddvance1568]

how long should these be safely good to eat?

[@Gardenerd]

Legumes dried properly are shelf stable indefinitely. Discard any that change color or shrivel up or develop holes over time. Older beans can take a lot longer to cook, so I supposed the food police would tell you to use them up within a couple years.

[@toddvance1568]

@@Gardenerd thats amazing... thanks for the information! I leaving my beans on the vine!

[@Hillrunner768]

What’s the shelf life?

[@Gardenerd]

A few years to indefinitely when it comes to dry beans.

[@valeriesanchez3074]

🤔

[@beatdownwornout4122]

Does this apply to Lima beans?

[@Gardenerd]

Yes it does. I love how lima beans rattle when they are ready to be harvested. Definitely put them in the freezer for a few days before storing them on the shelf. You'll be thankful you did later on.

[@beatdownwornout4122]

@@Gardenerd - I’m glad you mentioned the rattle. I know nothing about beans. My grandson came home in June with a little bean plant they had planted in school. He asked me to put it in the yard which I did. Well it’s October and the beans grew like crazy. I haven’t touched them. I think it’s a pole Lima bean?? Maybe? I don’t know when to harvest them, store them or cook them😬. My husband ate some raw and I just read that’s dangerous 😩. So I really have no idea what to do with them. I’m trying to look for a video that’s shows me what they look like when ready to harvest and how to store them. The one my husband brought in the house after he took it out of the pod it was white but the inside was green?

[@inastaria5075]

So I'm new to growing beans, first year, and dry beans are toxic, right? So you dry them out, store them... And don't do anything else? And then only when it's time to eat them you do the whole process to destroy the lectin?

[@Gardenerd]

Correct. Just follow the instructions in the video to prep them for storage. Then use whatever cooking/soaking process you use to prep them to eat.

[@inastaria5075]

@@Gardenerd thank you!

[@1plants1watersgodincreases39]

?

[@1plants1watersgodincreases39]

Wouldn’t you risk the jar breaking in the freezer.

[@Gardenerd]

Haven't broken one yet. If the jar is under-full and has enough room in the freezer, it won't break. Plastic, on the other hand, will crack in long-term storage.

[@1plants1watersgodincreases39]

@@Gardenerd Thanks

[@echognomecal6742]

I heard "Christmas Lima beans" & thought it was some sort of traditional recipe...then the other beans were named. Oh. Then I read thru comments & read..."decorate your holiday table with them"...? What? Is this a tongue in cheek comment? I am seriously going to look into this right now. Rabbit hole, don't get me....!

[@Gardenerd]

Christmas Limas are named for their color, but the plants also last a long time in certain climates (mine was going on 1.5 years when I dug it out), so that may attribute to the name as well, but I don't think so.

[@echognomecal6742]

@@Gardenerd Thanks! :) They Are attractive, but I think I'll stick with my Scarlet Runners. Beans, pods, flowers, all pretty :)

[@grossindecency]

Unfortunately, step 1 is specific to her climate. If most of you leave the beans on that long they will rot.

[@Gardenerd]

True. If you have a short growing season, you'll need to bring them inside to finish drying before harvesting the beans. If you hang the plants upside down indoors, they will dry without withering the beans too much.

[@cmmrris1]

The question that I can’t seem to get answered is….. can I eat my beans before they are dried? Can I pick them green, and eat them raw, or cooked in some butter or something like that? 🙏🏽

[@michaelcross9565]

Can you put the shells in compost?

[@Gardenerd]

Sure you can. They are considered a brown ingredient once they are dried. So mix them in to your compost pile (you can crunch them up a little to facilitate quicker decomposition) and watch them break down over the next month or so.