How to Cook Dried Soybeans

How to Cook Soybeans on the Stovetop

Rinse and sort your soybeans. Wash your dried soybeans under cool running water, rubbing them with your hands to remove any dirt. Pick out any discolored or misshapen beans, loose hulls, grit, or debris.

Soak your soybeans overnight. Place soybeans in a large bowl and cover with water, and add some salt. Use 3 cups (700 milliliters) of cold water and 1 teaspoon of salt for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. Put the bowl into the refrigerator, and allow your beans to soak overnight (8-10 hours). Make sure to refrigerate your beans while they soak—don’t simply leave them out on the counter! Refrigerating the beans will keep them from fermenting, especially in warmer climates.

Drain and rinse your soybeans one more time. Once the beans have soaked, they’re finally ready to cook. Pour them into a colander, and shake gently to remove any excess water.

Place your soybeans in a large pot and cover them with water. Make sure that your pot is large enough—the cooking process will create a lot of foam, which could overflow if your pot is too small. Your dried soybeans should only reach about 1/4th of the height of the pot on their own, and once the water is added, it shouldn’t reach more than 1/3rd of the pot’s height. Use 4 cups (950 milliliters) of water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. Add 1 tsp (6 grams) of salt for flavor, if desired.

Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for 4-6 hours. First, bring the water to a boil over high heat. As soon as it starts to boil, reduce the heat to low or medium-low. Allow the beans to simmer over this heat for about 4-6 hours, until they are tender.

Skim off the gray foam periodically. As your beans are cooking, keep a close eye on them. You’ll likely see a lot of foam forming, and it may boil over if you aren’t paying attention. Use a slotted spoon to periodically scoop out the foam and any floating hulls. Over time, the water will start to evaporate. Add more water to the pot as needed to replace the evaporated liquid.

Drain the beans and remove their hulls. Once your beans are fully cooked, their loose hulls will rise to the surface. Skim off these hulls with a slotted spoon, then pour your beans into a colander to drain. Let the beans cool for a few minutes, then use your fingers to remove any leftover hulls that you see. And that’s it! Your soybeans are now fully cooked and ready to serve or add to other recipes. You can store your cooked soybeans in small containers or resealable bags in the freezer, or you can refrigerate them in an airtight container.

How to Cook Soybeans in a Pressure Cooker

Soak the beans overnight then drain and rinse them. Rinse your soybeans and remove any dirt or debris. Place them in a large bowl with water, and allow them to soak in the refrigerator overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans once more.

Add the soybeans, water, vegetable oil, and salt to the pressure cooker. Add 3 cups (700 milliliters) of water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. Add 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of salt. This helps reduce frothing and foaming while cooking.

Cook the soybeans for about 20 minutes. Close and seal your pressure cooker, and cook the beans for about 20 minutes. Then, turn off the heat and allow your pressure cooker to cool and slowly release the pressure. Remove the beans from the pressure cooker, drain, and enjoy! Note: Be sure to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions that came with your pressure cooker.

How to Cook Soybeans in a Slow Cooker

Rinse your soybeans and soak them overnight. This is an easy, no-fuss option. It’s the perfect choice if you’re too busy to watch a pot of soybeans closely on the stove. Rinse your soybeans and remove dirt or debris. Next, place your beans in a large bowl with water, and soak in the fridge overnight. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans once more.

Cook the soybeans in water for about 6-8 hours. Add your pre-soaked soybeans into your slow cooker. Cover with water, using about 4 cups (950 mL) water for every 1 cup (200 grams) of soybeans. Add in 2 teaspoons (9.9 mL) of vegetable oil and 1 teaspoon (6 grams) of salt. Cook on high heat for 6-8 hours, or until tender. Allow to cool a bit, and serve!

How to Roast Soybeans

Roast soybeans at 350 °F (177 °C) for 40-45 minutes. Rinse dried soybeans then soak them in water overnight. The next day, spread the soybeans on top of a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake them in a preheated oven at 350 °F (177 °C) for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring often. When the beans are light brown and crunchy, they’re ready! For some extra flavor, you can also sprinkle olive oil, salt, and any other spices you desire over the beans before putting them in the oven.

Recipe Ideas & Uses For Cooked Soybeans

Cooked soybeans make a yummy addition to many dishes. You can add them to soups or salads for some extra protein, use them as a base for veggie burgers or falafels, or simply season them and eat them on their own as a side dish. Here are some delicious ideas to inspire you: Add your cooked soybeans to your favorite bean soup or chili recipe Throw cooked soybeans into a veggie stir fry Toss cooked soybeans into your favorite salad recipe Mash cooked soybeans and use as a base for veggie burgers (can be used as a substitute for other beans your recipe may call for, like black beans or lentils) Add mashed cooked soybeans to hamburger or meatloaf mixtures Season cooked soybeans with salt, pepper, and the spices of your choice, then serve as a side dish

How to Cook Edamame

Boil edamame in salted water for about 5 minutes. Edamame are immature soybeans that were harvested before ripening. Unlike dried mature soybeans, which are yellow-ish in color and require a long cooking process, edamame beans are bright green and require only a few minutes of boiling. Fresh edamame pods are available in the produce section of most grocery stores Here’s a breakdown of how to cook them: Start by scrubbing the pods with salt to get rid of the fuzz, then rinse them under running water. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the edamame pods to the boiling water, and cook for 5 minutes. Drain the edamame pods and add salt to taste. Allow the edamame pods to cool, then serve. Note: You may be able to find shucked edamame beans in the frozen section of the grocery store, as well. To cook, simply add the frozen beans to boiling water and boil for around 2-3 minutes.