Can you cook beans in a rice cooker? 4 Best

Can you cook beans in a rice cooker is a question people ask every now and then. The simplest and shortest answer to the question is YES you can!

Beans are dried, hard and not everybody knows how to deal with them. Some of us just go for canned beans but a can of beans is just not enough for most recipes plus it’s the taste that differs and that’s why most folks prefer dried beans over canned ones. Let us just have a look at how can you cook beans in a rice cooker. It is rather simple and easier process than most of you might think.

Using a rice cooker is less messy and finicky than the traditional pans and pots. Plus, it is much quicker than using a slow cooker. And remember, rice cookers aren’t just for rice, you can use them for a variety of recipes i.e. prep big batch of humus, soups, pasta, yogurt, oats and a lot more.

Table of Contents

Can you cook beans in a rice cooker?

Without wasting anymore of your precious time we will take you through the easy bean process. We will show you how to cook only one cup of beans that usually yields 3 cups of cooked beans. You may double or triple the quantities to suit your needs and the size of your rice cooker.

Can you cook beans in a rice cooker? Step One:

Soak 1 cup of dried beans in the rice cooker (Make sure it is unplugged) using 3 cups of clean water at least 7-8 hours prior to cooking.

Can you cook beans in a rice cooker? Step Two:

After 8 hours, drain and rinse the beans and put them back in the rice cooker. Add 4 cups of filtered water and one bay leaf.

Step Three:

Plug in the rice cooker; turn it on for one cycle. One it beeps, check the water level and if the beans are covered in water do not add anymore water and run the cooker for another cycle. End the second cycle mid-way as the one and half cycle must have done the job well.

Step Four:

Remove the bay leaf, drain out the water, rinse the cooked beans once and you can use the beans whatever you need them for. It is highly recommended not to add salt at any time during the soaking or cooking process otherwise they will remain hard.

Some of you might be wondering why the bay leaf?

Cooking beans with bay leaf lets your body easily break them down during digestion. You can either use a bay leaf or a teaspoon of cumin but a bay leaf looks cute may be? Most people prefer bay leaf for its light, earthy flavor and fantastic smell. Further, the process can be replicated with black dried beans or any other kind too.

So that’s the easiest way to cook dried beans in a rice cooker. You don’t have to deal with chemicals that are used to preserve canned beans, long hours of slow cooking or the mess of a pot overflowing on your kitchen counter. Also, if you are allergic to beans’ skins, it mostly come off during the cooking cycle in a rice cooker and if some remains, it can easily be removed while rinsing.

Let us know what further help do you need? If you do not have a rice cooker to begin with, check out the best small rice cookers here. They are fairly cheap and you don’t have to spend much. And if you can afford to throw out some bucks, go for best Zojirushi rice cookers here. They are the ones they call sophisticated and super-advanced smart cookers.

FAQs: Can you cook beans in a rice cooker?

Can I use rice cooker to cook beans?

Yes, you can use a rice cooker to cook beans, but it may not be the most efficient method. Rice cookers are designed primarily for cooking rice, so while they can certainly handle beans, you may achieve better results with a dedicated pot or pressure cooker, as they allow for more precise control of cooking times and water levels, especially for tougher beans like kidney or black beans.

Can you cook anything else in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can cook a variety of other foods in a rice cooker. Some rice cookers have a “keep warm” or “simmer” setting that can be used to cook dishes like quinoa, couscous, oatmeal, and even pasta. Additionally, you can make steamed vegetables, dumplings, and even certain types of seafood by placing them in a heatproof container or steamer basket inside the rice cooker while the rice or other grains cook below.

Can you cook dry beans in a rice steamer?

While you can technically cook dry beans in a rice steamer, it may not be the most efficient or effective method. Rice steamers are primarily designed for grains like rice, and cooking dry beans may require longer cooking times and more water than a rice steamer can handle. It’s usually better to use a dedicated pot or pressure cooker for cooking dry beans as they provide better control over the cooking process and can handle the required cooking times and water levels for beans.

Can you heat up beans in a rice cooker?

Yes, you can heat up pre-cooked beans in a rice cooker. Simply add the pre-cooked beans to the rice cooker, add a bit of water or broth to prevent them from drying out, and turn on the rice cooker’s “warm” or “keep warm” setting until the beans are heated to your desired temperature. This is a convenient way to warm up canned or leftover beans without using additional pots or pans.

Conclusion: Can you cook beans in a rice cooker?

So, Can you cook beans in a rice cooker? In conclusion, while it is possible to cook beans in a rice cooker, it may not be the most efficient or effective method for preparing dried beans. Rice cookers are best suited for cooking grains like rice, and for beans, using a dedicated pot or pressure cooker often yields better results in terms of cooking time and texture.

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