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Shoutout to the giant bag of dried beans I bought in 2021 that just gave me a final, surprisingly good chili last night.
I finally used the last of them, and I mean, after three years in a jar in my pantry, I was fully prepared for a bland, rock-hard disaster, but it turned out totally fine and fed me for like $0.50 a bowl.
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mila_fox986mo ago
Honestly, I used to be so strict about using dry beans within a year. I figured they'd just turn to dust or never soften up. But my last batch of black-eyed peas sat forgotten for at least two years, and they cooked perfectly fine. It's made me way more relaxed about my pantry stock. I guess as long as they're sealed up tight, they just keep on keeping on.
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the_joel6mo ago
My pantry is basically a retirement home for dry goods. I found a bag of lentils from my last apartment move three years ago. Cooked them up out of spite, expecting gravel soup, and they were totally fine. Now I feel like all those "best by" dates are just a clever plot to make me buy more beans.
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lee_bailey655mo ago
Honestly, it's all about the seal. I've been there with a bag of pintos that sat for like four years and they turned out just fine. The trick is to give them a good rinse and then add a pinch of baking soda to the soak water if they're really old. That little bit of soda helps break down the tough skins and makes them softer. I also toss in a bay leaf while they cook, it covers up any iffy flavor from the long storage. Once they're done, they're basically just like fresh beans with a bit more character lol. So yeah, I'm with you on ignoring those "best by" dates for dry beans.
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