How Long Do Beans Last in the Fridge?
Updated: May 29, 2020
How long do beans last in the fridge? This is everything you need to know about storing beans after they're cooked.
Black beans, pinto beans, cannellini beans—no matter what your go-to legume is, the humble bean is a winning ingredient to any number of healthy dinners. But how long do beans last in the fridge once cooked? Here’s what you need to know plus a few helpful tricks to extend their shelf life.
How Long Do Beans Last in the Fridge?
Your cooked beans last about 3 to 5 days in the fridge.
To store them, let the beans cool down after cooking, then pop them in the refrigerator within an hour. Getting them stored quickly and chilled in the fridge will help prevent the growth of bacteria.
How to Make Your Cooked Beans Last
If you want beans to keep, store them in an airtight container. A trusty air-tight container will keep your cooked beans fresh longer compared to wrapping a bowl with plastic wrap or covering it in foil.
Freezing is another excellent way to make your cooked beans last. It’s one of the reasons they’re such a great option for healthy meal prep dishes. Divvy them up between a couple of containers for dinner-sized portions you can reheat at your leisure. Beans will last about a month in the freezer, so make life easier on yourself and jot down the date you froze them. When you’re ready to eat, just let the beans defrost in the fridge overnight and cook them on the stovetop until heated through.
Time to hit the pantry and make the most out of your canned beans. Don’t miss this collection of our top 100 ways to use canned beans!
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Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet SupperI developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
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Beef 'n' Bean TortaThis zesty dish is a favorite of mine because it has a wonderful Southwestern taste and is easy to prepare. I serve it on nights when we have only a few minutes to eat before running off to meetings or sports events. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Best Ever Beans and SausageWhen my wife asks what she should make for a gathering, she's always told to bring this—and a couple of copies of the recipe! — Robert Saulnier, Clarksburg, Massachusetts
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Firehouse ChiliAs one of the cooks at the firehouse, I used to prepare meals for 10 men. This firehouse chili recipe was among their favorites. —Richard Clements, San Dimas, California
Yankee RancherosAfter my in-laws began affectionately referring to me as a Yankee, I decided I had to learn to make some Mexican dishes. These are super easy and make my Tex-Mex-loving family happy—even if they do come from a Northerner!. —Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
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Black Bean and Rice EnchiladasI love Mexican food, but I'm always looking for ways to make it more healthy. I "renovated" a dish that I have enjoyed in restaurants to suit my taste and lifestyle. —Christie Ladd, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania
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Championship Bean DipMy friends and neighbors expect me to bring this irresistible dip to every gathering. When I arrive, they ask, "You brought your bean dip, didn't you?" If there are any leftovers, we use them to make bean and cheese burritos the next day. —Wendi Wavrin Law, Omaha, Nebraska
Tilapia TostadasEven my non-fish-loving family enjoys this recipe. It’s a winner in my book. —Jennifer Kolb, Overland Park, Kansas
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Contest-Winning Easy MinestroneThis minestrone soup recipe is special to me because it’s one of the few dinners my entire family loves. And I can feel good about serving it because it’s full of nutrition and low in fat. —Lauren Brennan, Hood River, Oregon
Southern-Style Egg RollsSausage, black-eyed peas and turnip greens give these unique egg rolls a decidedly southern accent. When I bring them to a party, I always come home with an empty plate. —Holly Jones, Kennesaw, Georgia
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Fresh Spinach Tamale PieI got this recipe from my mother, who loved quick and easy meals for dinner. I made a few variations by adding spinach, bell peppers and fresh corn. The changes were well worth it––my family and friends love this dish!—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Fourth of July Bean CasseroleThe outstanding barbecue taste of these beans makes them a favorite for cookouts all summer and into the fall. It's a popular dish, even with kids. The beef makes it so much better than plain pork and beans. —Donna Fancher, Lawrence, Indiana
No-Fry Black Bean ChimichangasMy chimichangas get lovin’ from the oven so they’re a bit healthier. Black beans and corn make it meatless. And it’s a smart way to use leftover rice. —Kimberly Hammond, Kingwood, Texas
Hacienda Hash BrownsI use a clear glass dish to show off my hash brown bake. The bold pepper, cilantro, cumin and garlic make this potato-egg casserole extraordinary. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Spicy White ChiliI thought the original version of this dish was fine. But my son can't get enough spice, so I added green chiles and other seasonings until I'd created a quick and easy chili he's wild about. —Carlene Bailey, Bradenton, Florida
Huevos RancherosMy husband and I had huevos rancheros while visiting Cuernavaca, Mexico, and he loved the meal so much he asked me to cook it for him when got home. My version is suited to my family's preference for sunny side up eggs, but poached or scrambled eggs would be just as tasty. —Cheryl Woodson, Liberty, Missouri
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African Peanut Sweet Potato StewBack when I was in college, my mom made an addicting sweet potato and peanut stew. I shared it with friends, and now all of us serve it to our own kids. They all love it, of course. —Alexis Scatchell, Niles, Illinois
Mexican Roasted Potato SaladMy husband is the No. 1 fan of this south-of-the-border potato salad. The leftovers make an awesome late-night snack, straight from the fridge. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
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Tilapia with Corn SalsaMy family loves fish, and this quick and tasty dish is very popular at my house. Though it tastes like it takes a long time, it cooks in minutes under the broiler. We enjoy it with lemon wedges with couscous on the side. —Brenda Coffey, Singer Island, Florida
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Originally Published: May 29, 2020
