How long do canned black beans last in the fridge?
In this article, we will answer the question “How long do canned black beans last in the fridge?”, and how to cook canned black beans?
How long do canned black beans last in the fridge?
An opened can of black beans that have been continuously refrigerated after draining will last 3-4 days in the fridge.
An unopened can of black beans does not need to be refrigerated. It has a shelf-life of 3-5 years If kept in a cool, dark, and dry place away from direct heat sources.
The expiration dates of Beans
| Unopened | In the pantry | In the fridge | In the freezer |
| Past Printed Date | Past Printed Date | Past Printed Date | |
| Dried beans | Indefinite | — | — |
| Canned beans | 1 year | — | — |
| Fresh Green Beans | 1-2 days | 7-10 days | Cook first |
| Dried lentils | Indefinite | — | — |
| Opened | In the pantry | In the fridge | In the freezer |
| Canned beans | — | 5 days | — |
| Cooked beans | — | 5 days | 1 year |
| Beans sprouts | 1 day | 3-4 days | — |
| Hummus | — | 4-5 days | — |
How to store leftover canned beans?
Drain the can
Canned beans need to be removed from the can after opening it. An unopened can is difficult to seal properly which results in an altered flavor due to the metal leaching.
Besides, an opened can with a flimsy seal is more susceptible to drying out, spoilage, and picking unwanted odors. Therefore, get rid of the can and grab a shallow plastic or glass container instead.
Rinse ‘em all
Transfer the drained beans into a colander and hold it under cold running water. After rinsing thoroughly, let the beans sit in the colander for 10 minutes to drain the excess moisture.
Decide the storage time
If the beans are to be consumed within 24 hours, simply put them in an air-tight container and pop them in the fridge. If you intend to store the beans for a few days, toss the beans with some olive oil before putting them in the storage container.
Rinse the beans to get rid of the oil before use if your recipe does not require the oil. If the beans are in for prolonged storage( more than 5 days), consider freezing them.
For this, transfer the beans to a freezer bag or a freezer-safe plastic tub. Fill the tub with fresh water. Thaw and rinse the beans before use.
When to discard the beans?
If the black beans give off a sour smell, they are done for. Similarly, if the beans develop a whitish color or if the liquid surrounding the beans turns cloudy, the beans should be discarded.
In short, get rid of the beans if you notice anything strange happening with the color, taste, smell, or texture of the beans.
How to cook canned black beans?
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ large onion, minced
- 1 plum tomato, minced
- 1 jalapeño, minced (optional; seeds and veins removed if you don’t want it spicy)
- 1 tsp minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 15-ounce can black beans
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about the amount of juice in 1/2 lime)
- Salt, to taste
- Chopped cilantro, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Grease a medium saucepan with some olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat.
- Stir in onions, tomatoes, jalapenos, garlic, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika. Saute for at least 5 minutes or until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Stir in the beans from a can. Do not drain the beans. Simmering the beans in the original liquid will infuse more flavor in the beans. Bring it to a simmer.
- If you like soupy black beans, pour some water or broth until the consistency is according to your liking.
- Turn off the flame and squeeze fresh lime over the beans. Sprinkle some salt for taste.
- Top off with some cilantro leaves to give a pop of color. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for the recipe
- Using canned beans with no added salt will better help you create the taste of the beans that you like.
- If olive oil is not your cup of tea, you can go with any other cooking oil that you like. For example, avocado oil, coconut oil, canola oil, etc.
- Continue sauteing the veggies and spices until you smell a pleasant aroma of onions, garlic, and tomatoes.
- If you like jalapeno and want to make things spicy, do not forget to include the seeds and veins. You can skip this if you enjoy a mild taste.
Anyway, if you don’t want to cook, canned beans are safe to eat without cooking.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “How long do canned black beans last in the fridge?”, and how to cook canned black beans?
