Beans · Tested twice, with a stopwatch

A Proper Pot of Beans

Name: A Proper Pot of Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 165 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb dried cannellini or pinto beans, soaked overnight; 1 onion, halved; 4 cloves garlic, smashed; 2 bay leaves; 1 piece Parmesan rind, optional; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 teaspoons salt, added later; Black pepper

Soaking the night before and fifteen minutes of actual work the next day gets you a pot that feeds a crowd for almost nothing, while asking for very little of your morning in return.

15 minhands-on

165 mintotal, start to plate

15 minHands-on

2 hr 45 minTotal

8Serves

1 potTo wash up

Active vs. unattended

Each step below is marked active or unattended, so you can see exactly where the clock and your attention part ways.

Method

Active — Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then put them in a heavy pot with the onion, garlic, bay leaves, Parmesan rind and olive oil.
Active — Cover with cold water by 2 inches, bring to a boil, then skim off any foam that rises.
Unattended — Reduce to a bare simmer, cover partially, and leave it alone for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Check perhaps three times to make sure the liquid still covers the beans, topping up with hot water if needed.
Active — The beans are done when they are fully creamy inside with no chalky centre — taste one to check rather than guessing from the clock.
Active — Only now add the salt. Remove the onion, garlic skins and bay leaves, season with black pepper, and serve with a drizzle of good olive oil.

How to use the unattended time

This is a pot to start on a weekend morning and leave running while you do chores, work in another room, or go out for an hour. It does not need watching, only an occasional glance to confirm it has not boiled dry.

The bit that matters

Salt only at the end. Salting dried beans before they have softened toughens the skins and can add significant extra cooking time — a well-documented effect that is easy to test for yourself by salting half a batch early.

*Approximately 220 calories per serving. Calories are an estimate from standard ingredient databases; actual values vary by brand and portion. See our disclaimer.