How to Can Beans Without Rehydrating Them First

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could grab a can of beans off of the shelf to quickly to your chili or casseroles? Dry beans are easy to store, but turning them into a usable canned good that is to be used in a hurry is easy, too. Here is the way to can them with little or no effort.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pressure cooker
• Manufacturer's directions for the pressure cooker
• Dry beans, sorted and cleaned
• pint canning jars
• lids and rings for sealing
• water

1. Be sure to clean the beans. This involves searching through the beans you are going to can for any little stones or other debris. Wash beans.

2. Be sure all jars are washed and rinsed thoroughly. Fill a little under half full with dry beans of your choice. Fill jar with hot or warm water until the beans are just covered.A little over half of the jar should be just air. Be sure to wipe the lip of the jar with a sanitary cloth.

3. Place rings and lids in a pan of hot water. Using a tongs or magnetic ring lid lifter, pull lid from water, place over the jar opening, and screw band around the neck of the jar to secure the lid. Tighten so that it will easily be removed later.

4. Place jars into the pressure cooker, and using the manufacturers book, check pressure setting and time requirements to cook the beans. Process accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not overfill these jars. The beans will expand, and if the jars are overfilled with beans, the jars will break.
• Check the seal by pushing down on the lid to see if the lid pops back up. If it is sealed properly, there will be no give when you push down on the lid.
• If the jars do not seal properly, you can remove the lid and band, wash them, and the lip of the jar and try to reseal them in the hot water bath for ten minutes.
• A tiny bit of salt can be added to each jar before sealing, however it is not necessary to add salt for the beans to be properly canned.
• Be familiar with how to use the pressure cooker as it can be dangerous to operate. Allow the device to cool for at least one half hour before opening.
• Do not fast cool the pressure cooker when it is done as the jars need time to sit and seal.
• Individual beans will expand differently. This means of processing does not produce a uniform jar of beans. However, the procedure is fast and easy. It also helps to cut the cost of canned goods in the family.