How to Soak Pinto Beans Overnight

Pinto beans are a common ingredient in recipes including burritos, chilies and various soups. Dried pinto beans are generally a pale pinkish or tan color with darker splotches that include reddish purple and dark brown. Presoaking your pinto beans before cooking them serves two main purposes. First, it softens the beans and allows them to cook more quickly. Second, it removes some of the carbohydrates that can cause bloating or flatulence after consuming beans. For this reason, you should discard the soaking water rather than using it in your cooking.

• 1

  Pour your pinto beans into the colander and rinse them thoroughly under cool running water. As you do this, sort through the beans looking for any stones or other items that do not belong in the beans. If you find any such items, remove and discard them.

• 2

  Transfer the beans from the colander to your container.

• 3

  Pour cold water into the container until it completely covers the beans with two to four inches to spare. Some beans might float, which is normal.

• 4

  Cover the container and place it in the refrigerator overnight.

• 5

  Pour the beans and remaining water into the colander in the morning to strain the beans. Discard the soaking water. The beans are now ready to use.