Practical Post

Because we try to limit our meat intake to 2-3 nights per week, we use beans a lot for a great source of protein!  While .89 cents a can for black beans is not going to break the bank, paying .29 cents a can is even better!  Now, because I am sharing a great frugal idea with you, please give me grace when it comes to these pictures. Number one, I do not claim to have any photography talents.  Number two, who can really make BEANS look that great?

Alrighty, let’s get started!  First, buy a 2-pound bag of dried black beans (I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $1.98).  Place them in a strainer and rinse them off thoroughly.  Place them in a Crockpot and cover with water. You want the water to be about 2 inches higher than the beans, because the beans will absorb a lot of water.  

Soak for 8 hours, but do not turn the crock pot on.  I typically soak the beans overnight.

8 hours later, place the beans in a strainer and rinse thoroughly again!  

This rinses off a lot of the gas causing properties of the beans and any remaining residue. This is how the beans look after soaking.

Place the beans back in the Crockpot and cover with water again.  

Turn the Crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.  Just start testing them at 6 hours and if they are soft, they are done!  Turn the crockpot off and allow the beans to cool.  I typically put the beans in a strainer ONE more time, to rinse off all the remaining liquid.

Now it’s time to bag the beans! I use lunch size Ziplocs.  Measure 1 cup plus 2/3 cup beans into each baggie.

This equals one 15 oz can of beans!  I end up with 7 bags from 2 pounds which equals .29 cents a bag! Just place them in the freezer until ready for use!  

1/2 cup of cooked black beans has 113 grams calories, 19.9 grams carbohydrates, 0.4 grams fat, 9.7 grams fiber, and 5.6 grams protein!  The fiber in 1/2 cup of black beans is 1/3 of your daily recommended intake of fiber, so it's a great food choice! I use black beans in black beans and rice, black bean quesadillas, stuff bell peppers, salads, and much more!