Our family frijoles taste just fine without an overnight soak

I know most of my relatives would disagree, but I stopped soaking the beans overnight. My abuela always insisted on it for her frijoles recipe. I remember the big pot sitting on the counter all day when I was little. Now I use a pressure cooker to get them soft in under an hour. It lets me make them even when I'm home for a short break from driving. The flavor is still rich and comforting, just like she made. Keeping the recipe simple means I can pass it on to my kids without the wait.

3 comments

3 Comments

evahart1mo ago

My aunt still gives me side-eye for this, but I quit soaking years ago too. I use a pressure cooker and just add a splash of apple cider vinegar with the broth. It cuts the cook time way down and they still get that deep flavor, never come out tough or dense. Honestly, the only thing I miss is the excuse to not cook dinner because the beans were "still soaking.

willow24429d ago

My grandma's bean pot would feel betrayed by this whole thread. I tried the no soak method once and got the full family lecture about respect for tradition. @jade_miller62, if you try the vinegar trick and it works, please don't tell my aunt. I need her to keep believing her way is the only way so I still get her famous beans at holidays. The pressure cooker is a total game changer for weeknights though.

jade_miller621mo ago

Totally get the aunt side-eye thing, @evahart. Might have to try your vinegar trick next time, sounds like a solid fix.