Can you freeze cooked beans? Yes, for 2 months

Yes, you can freeze cooked beans. The USDA FoodKeeper data gives cooked leftovers without meat 4 days in the fridge and 2 months in the freezer, and beans follow the same rule. This applies to beans you cooked yourself from dried, and to beans cooked from a can once you have drained and rinsed them. The freezer time is for best quality, and frozen food kept at 0°F (-18°C) stays safe.

How long do cooked beans last in the fridge?

Four days, in a sealed container, at 40°F (4°C) or colder. Cool them within 2 hours of cooking. If the beans are in a dish with meat, such as chilli, follow the time for the meat too. For a fuller guide to cooked leftovers, see how long soup lasts in the fridge.

How do you freeze cooked beans?

• Let them cool until they are just warm, then portion them. Freeze them in 1 or 2 cup amounts, so you only thaw what you need.
• Keep some of the cooking liquid. Beans frozen in their liquid stay moist, and the liquid makes a good base for soup.
• Use freezer bags with the air pressed out, and lay them flat until frozen.
• Label the bag with the date and the amount. See how to label meal prep.

Do frozen beans lose texture?

Slightly. Soft beans, such as black beans and chickpeas cooked until very tender, hold up well. Beans cooked until they are falling apart can turn mushy. Beans in a soup, stew or curry are the easiest to freeze, and the flavour holds up well. The black bean soup and chickpea curry recipes both freeze well.

How do you thaw and reheat them?

Move the bag to the fridge the night before, and reheat until steaming hot all the way through, 165°F (74°C). A pan on the stove works well, with a splash of water if the beans look dry. Do not thaw them on the counter. More on thawing is in how to thaw meal prep safely.

Beans from a can or from dried?

Either can be frozen once cooked. Dried beans take longer, but they cost less per serving, which matters for a budget. For that comparison, see canned or dried beans and the beans and lentils meal prep guide.

Related questions

• Budget meal prep pantry staples
• Foods that freeze well
• Freezer meal prep for beginners
• Printable fridge and freezer storage chart

Sources

• FoodSafety.gov: cold food storage chart
• USDA FoodKeeper (storage times by food)
• USDA: leftovers and food safety
• USDA: freezing and food safety