If you often use kidney beans for your weekday meals, but you’re worried they’ll go bad, you’re in the right place. In this case, it’s good to know that they’re freezer-friendly!
By freezing kidney beans which you don’t plan to use soon, you will have healthy and tasty ingredients for upcoming dishes and decrease food waste. You can also freeze leftover cooked meals with beans.
Generally speaking, beans freeze well. The freezer prolongs their safety and taste and prevents them from ending up in the trashcan.
But, how to store them so that they keep their optimal shape and taste in the freezer? And, can you freeze both raw and cooked beans or not?
Keep reading to learn the answers to these questions and other helpful information for optimal kidney bean freezing!

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Can You Freeze Kidney Beans Once Cooked?
The next time you have leftover kidney beans, you needn’t worry. You can set them aside for the next occasion by setting them aside in the freezer. But, before freezing them, transfer them to a freezer-safe container with a lid.
Make sure there’s an inch of two space from the beans to the lid so that the liquid can freely expand as the content freezes. Close the container and don’t forget to label the container with the date.
In this way, you’ll know how long the kidney beans have been in the freezer and whether they’re safe to eat or not.
You can also store leftover canned kidney beans in this way. Never leave them in the can because they will spoil fast!
Another way to store kidney beans, dried ones, is to cook them before putting them in the freezer. This is a popular and effective method of storing all types of beans.
To try it, rinse the beans first. Sort through them to ensure any bad-looking beans are out. Then, soak them in water overnight or for two to six hours. Drain them and rinse them once more. Boil them in a pot with water for half an hour to an hour.
Leave them to cool down to room temperature. When they cool down, drain them and store them in freezer-safe bags. Squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible and close it.
Don’t forget to mark the bags with the date before you put them away in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Raw Kidney Beans?
Raw, uncooked kidney beans can be frozen.
But, make sure you rinse them well first. Remove any debris or dirt to prevent bacteria. Once you rinse and clean them, pat them dry using a clean cloth or a paper towel to remove the surplus water.
Put them in a plastic, freezer-safe container. Don’t fill it to the very top, but make sure you leave several inches of space between the beans and the lid. Close the container and put it on a sticker with the storage date.
Put it in the freezer. At 0 degrees F in the freezer, raw kidney beans can be kept for an indefinite period of time.
How Long Can You Freeze Kidney Beans?
Cooked and canned kidney beans, when you store them properly, remain safe for consumption for up to six months. On the other hand, dried beans in the freezer will last for an indefinite period of time.
Freezing kidney beans isn’t just great for the prevention of spoilage and ensuring healthy food preservation, but it’s also a great way to decrease food waste in your household.
Can You Freeze Baked Kidney Beans in Mason Jars?
Mason jars are freezer-safe. And, they make great containers for storing store baked beans in the freezer.
They’re a great, simple way to store foods and drinks. Whether it’s a soup, a stew, or leftover baked kidney beans, a mason jar is there to help out! Once the baked kidney bean leftovers have cooled down, transfer them into the mason jar.
Leave a bit of space on the top and close the lid. Remember to write the date of storage before you leave the jar in the freezer.
Can You Freeze Kidney Beans from a Tin?
Yes. You can freeze leftover kidney beans from a tin, but you should never use the tin as a freezing container, especially after it’s been opened!
This won’t just cause the food to go bad, but the food also becomes a danger if anyone consumes it due to a risk of poisoning.
Tins are great containers until they’re opened. Once you open them, you expose the inside content to air. If you tend to leave open cans of kidney beans in the fridge, we advise against doing this.
Regardless of whether you cover it or not, the food inside will eventually go bad. This is because cans are hard to reseal optimally once open.
The food inside will begin to dry, it becomes exposed to changes from the air circulating, and it will begin to absorb the smell from other foods in the fridge.
There’s also a risk of metal leaching into the food from the can. Although it’s not usually a health-related concern, it does make the taste of the food worse.
With this in mind, if you have leftover kidney beans from a can, transfer them to a plastic or glass container or a plastic bag before you store them in the fridge or freezer.
The fridge is the best option if you plan to eat them within several days. If not, the freezer is the safest option.
Final Thoughts
Kidney beans are yummy and a staple in a variety of cuisines. These beans are a favorite among vegans and vegetarians and they’re packed with amazing nutrients!
Whether consumed as a side dish or combined with other tasty ingredients to make a soothing stew, kidney beans are a great addition to any diet.
Kidney beans are freezer-friendly, including raw, cooked, and canned kidney beans. When storing them, it’s essential to do it properly in order to maximize their safety, maintain the optimal texture, and preserve the taste.
Mason jars and freezer-safe containers and bags are excellent for freezing all types of kidney beans!

This is Kristina, a passionate content writer, copywriter, and bookworm. Always dedicated to providing informative and accurate product reviews and info articles for enjoyable shopping. In her free time, she loves spending time in nature and with animals and doing yoga.