Things You'll Need
Cooked pinto beans
Air tight storage containers
Air tight freezer containers
Home cooked pinto beans are both delicious and nutritious, containing flavor that is packed with protein, vitamins, fiber and other nutrients. Cooking pinto beans can be time consuming, which is why when you cook them you often do a lot at once. If you find yourself with an overabundance of cooked pinto beans, you need to know how to store them to keep them fresh and tasty until you want to use them.
Step 1
Let the beans cool if they are still warm.
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Step 2
Place the beans in an airtight container, and put in the refrigerator. It is best to store beans in the amount of 1 1/2 to 2 cup servings. Storing more than this at one time can cause the bottom beans under the excess weight to soften and squish.
Step 3
Use the beans within 4 days of putting them in the refrigerator.
Step 4
Freeze the beans if you know that you will not be using them within 4 days. Place 1 1/2 c of pinto beans into a 2 c freezer container. Fill with water or broth until the beans are just covered. This will allow room in the container for the beans as they expand.
Step 5
Seal the container and put in the freezer, where they can remain for 2 to 3 months.
Tip
Label your freezer container with the date that you freeze the beans. This will help to remind you to use them before they are no longer fresh.
Warning
If beans are overcooked when you put them in the freezer, they will be even softer when you thaw them after freezing, and may be best suited for use in bean dips or refried beans.
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