Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
cannellini beans with a silver spoon

How to Cook White Beans

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Soaking Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 9 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Author: Nico Pallotta

  • 2½ cups (500 grams) dried cannellini or another white bean variety. We recommend cooking a large batch and freeze the leftovers.
  • 1½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 - 2 gallons (4 - 6 Liters) water to cover the beans by 4 - 6 inches.

  • Have a quick visual scan of your dried white beans to ensure they are free of stones or dirt from the harvest.
    dried white beans on a plate
  • Rinse them with water, then add them to a large bowl and cover with cold water by 4 inches / 10 cm.
    Cover with a cloth and let them soak for 8 to 24 hours.
    Drain and rinse them under running water.
    white beans after soaking
  • Add them to a large pot and cover with water by about 6 inches or 15 cm.
    Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and let them simmer until tender. Depending on the size and time of harvest, this can take 45 minutes to 2.5 hours.
    Add the salt 30 minutes into cooking.
    Skim off the foam that forms on the surface of the water.
    white foam in cooking water with white beans
  • The beans are ready when you can easily press them between your thumb and index finger.
    They should mash easily and have a creamy texture.
    cooked white beans in a blue Dutch oven
  • See the chapter "Recipes with white beans" for inspiration on how to use them.
    white bean with a silver spoon on a white plate
Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 serving of white beans out of 8 servings.
ALSO ON THIS PAGE
QR Code linking back to recipe