When You Should Rinse Canned Beans, According to an Expert

Canned beans can quite simply save the day. Even when compared to other powerhouse pantry ingredients, few are as versatile and nutritious as the mighty bean. They are inexpensive and widely available, and many varieties of beans come canned. But do you need to rinse canned beans? It’s a question asked by many, even sparking some controversy. We spoke to a canned bean expert to learn what that mysterious liquid is and if draining and rinsing the beans is necessary. And if so, when should and shouldn’t you? 

What Is Bean Liquid?

"The canning process is as simple as cooking at high heat under pressure," says Kat Kavner Woolf, co-founder and CEO of Heyday Canning Co., a canned food brand that features beans simmered in aromatic, vibrant sauces. "You don't need to use any artificial ingredients, preservatives, or salt to can food. All you're doing is applying heat." 

Canned beans are made by adding dried beans and water to a can, sealing it, and heating it until the beans are tender. It's a simple process and really an incredible technology that we've unfairly come to associate with highly processed, low-quality food, Kavner Woolf says. "While it's true that there are many canned food products out there made with low-quality ingredients or tons of added salt, that has nothing to do with the process of canning itself."

Do You Really Need to Rinse Canned Beans? 

The good news is that bean liquid does not necessarily need to be drained, and is perfectly edible and healthy. However, there are some instances when you might want to drain and rinse your beans, depending on how you are preparing them. 

When to Drain Your Beans

While it's not necessary to rinse your beans, there are two reasons why you might want to drain the liquid and give them a quick rinse:

Consider the dish you're making: Drain beans when you’re preparing something that doesn't call for extra liquid, such as salsa, bean salad, or if you're sprinkling beans over a dish that’s going into the oven, like nachos. 

Check the salt: Another consideration when determining whether or not to rinse your beans is how much salt they were packaged with. Unless you’ve purchased a product labeled "low sodium" or "no salt added," salt will always be added during the canning process. "If you are closely monitoring your sodium consumption or simply want to be in charge of salting your dish, draining and rinsing your canned beans will remove a lot of that salt from the equation, so you're starting with a more blank slate when you get to cooking," says Woolf.

The Best Way to Rinse Beans 

Effectively rinsing beans is simple:

1. Hold a fine-mesh sieve over the sink (or bowl, if you’re saving the liquid).
2. Pour the can of beans into the sieve, letting the liquid drain out and leaving the beans behind.
3. Rinse under cold water and shake the beans in the sieve and they are ready to use.

When Not to Rinse Beans 

Unless the beans you buy are canned in a special sauce, like Heyday's products are, the liquid in the can is simply a starchy solution of water and some salt. That's why when you open up a can of plain beans, the water isn't perfectly clear and has some thickness and body to it, Woolf explains. 

Rinsing your beans is a matter of preference, she says. The starchy liquid could be beneficial in many cases, like adding body to a soup or stew. 

What About Aquafaba?

While the liquid of the majority of canned bean varieties is mostly just useful for adding extra body to a soup, there is a special exception in the liquid of canned chickpeas, also known as aquafaba. It can be whipped like egg whites for a plant-based meringue in vegan desserts. 

Liquid from other bean varieties can technically be used in the same way, but few have as neutral a flavor as chickpeas, so they can be used in sweet applications.