Do kidney beans count as one of your five a day?

Yes! Around 80g of kidney beans counts as one portion of your five a day. This is the same for all pulses.

Can you eat kidney beans raw?

No, canned kidney beans are already fully pre-cooked during the canning process and are completely safe to eat straight out of the tin. You simply need to drain and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water to remove the viscous, salty starch liquid from the can before tossing them into cold salads, folding them into wraps, or warming them through inside a simmering hot sauce.

How long do cooked kidney beans last in the fridge?

Cooked kidney beans will remain fresh in the fridge for up to five days when stored inside a clean, airtight container. To maximise their overall shelf life and prevent spoilage, ensure you refrigerate the beans within two hours of them cooling down from the hob.

Kidney Bean Recipes

Packed with protein, fibre and vitamins, kidney beans are a powerhouse to add to your weekly menu. Embracing versatile kidney bean dishes makes it simple to whip up satisfying, plant-based dinners for the family without spending hours in the kitchen.

Similar Recipe Collections

Butternut Squash Soup Recipes

Vegetarian Egg Noodle Recipes

Best Cauliflower Recipes

Cavolo Nero Recipes

Best Sweet Potato Recipes

Rocket Recipes

Fennel Recipes

Best Mushroom Recipes

Sugar Snap Pea Recipes

Best Asparagus Recipes

Best Carrot Recipes

Best Spinach Recipes

Spring Onion Recipes

Vegetarian Egg Recipes

Pea Recipes

Mangetout Recipes

Brussels Sprouts Recipes

Best Aubergine Recipes

Portobello Mushroom Recipes

Best Beetroot Recipes

Best Courgette Recipes

Butternut Squash Recipes for Every Occasion

Get inspired

Benefits of Kidney Beans

If you’ve found yourself wondering, are kidney beans good for you? The answer is yes! When enjoyed as part of a balanced diet, kidney beans can add many essential nutrients and minerals to your daily intake. The nutritional composition of 100g of cooked kidney beans according to Healthline are as follows:

Calories: 127
Water: 67%
Protein: 8.7g
Carbs: 22.8g
Sugar: 0.3g
Fibre: 6.4g
Fat: 0.5g

Due to their nutrient-dense composition and high levels of plant-based protein, studies have linked kidney beans to improved digestive health. Kidney beans are also a source of antioxidants, known for helping lower the risk of several chronic diseases, while also promoting good overall health.

How to Cook Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are incredibly versatile when it comes to recipes. Their mild nuttiness and smooth texture make them a great addition to the likes of salads, soups, stews and wraps.

To ensure a perfectly creamy texture and completely eliminate natural toxins, handling raw pulses requires a precise, sequential method: To prepare raw kidney beans, soak them for at least eight hours in a large bowl of cold water. Alternatively, you can use a quick soak method by boiling the pulses for one minute and letting the beans sit covered for one hour.

After soaking, drain, rinse, and place the beans into a large pot filled with fresh water. Bring to a vigorous boil for a minimum of 10 minutes to thoroughly destroy the natural toxins, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer for 45 to 60 minutes until the centres are completely soft. Remember that raw kidney beans should never be consumed without this boiling process.

In all HelloFresh’s kidney bean recipes, and with most quick recipes you’ll find online and in recipe books, pre-prepared, canned kidney beans are used. To cook these, simply rinse thoroughly to remove excess salt or sugar before using.

Yes, you can freeze cooked kidney beans, as a great way to cut down on food waste. To freeze kidney beans, simply drain and rinse your beans, then place them inside a freezer bag or a freezer-safe, air-tight container. Fill the container with cold water, until all of the beans are covered, then seal the bag or container and pop them in your freezer. Using this method of freezing, kidney beans can last up to six months. To cook from frozen, simply remove from the freezer, leave to thaw, drain the excess water and use as you wish.

No, you must never eat raw or undercooked kidney beans because they contain high concentrations of a toxic plant protein called phytohaemagglutinin. This natural toxin causes severe stomach upsets, but it is entirely deactivated by soaking raw beans thoroughly and boiling them rapidly in fresh water for at least ten minutes. Canned kidney beans are already pre-cooked and perfectly safe to eat straight away.

Kidney Bean Recipes

Smoky Gochujang and BBQ Bacon and Bean Jacky-P

Spicy Meat-Free Mince Chipotle Chilli Rice Bowl

Chorizo, Beef and Beany Quesadillas

Caribbean Style Roasted Vegetable Stew

Cajun Pork Chilli Jacket Potato and Cheese

Crispy Beef Enchiladas

Chipotle Chilli Con Carne

Quick Beef & Bean Chilli and Cauliflower Rice

Easy Beef Enchiladas

Tex-Mex Style Pork Chilli and Tostada Dippers

Cajun Pork Mince and Beans Jacky-P

Bubbling Bean Jacky-P

Beef Chilli Quesadillas

Double Cheese, Chicken & Chorizo Enchiladas

Beef and Beany Quesadillas

Meat-Free Mince Chilli non Carne Loaded Rice Bowl

Veggie Korma Bean Burger and Curried Mayo

Caribbean Style Jerk & Honey Roasted Vegetable Stew

Cheesy Bean Quesadilla

Beetroot & Feta Falafel

Goan Tonak Inspired Double Prawn and Bean Curry

Roasted Jerk Butternut Squash and Halloumi on Rice & Beans

Chipotle BBQ Bacon and Bean Chilli Jacky-P

Boston Bean, Chorizo and Cheese Loaded Jacky-P

Similar Recipe Collections

Get inspired

Benefits of Kidney Beans

How to Cook Kidney Beans

Enjoy hassle-free home-cooked meals with HelloFresh