Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, they fill our bellies, and are an inexpensive, delicious addition to a wide variety of meals from cuisines worldwide. When you add all that to the fact that they are a great addition to taco night, there really is nothing but love for this food.
However, if you’ve made too many pintos and forgot to put them away, you’re likely better off starting with a fresh batch.
According to the USDA, any perishable food left out of cold storage for more than two hours enters into the “danger zone” and eating it puts you at risk of food poisoning. Cooked beans are no exception and should not be eaten if left out overnight at room temperature.
How Long Can Beans Sit Out at Room Temperature?
So you’re hosting Taco Tuesday and have some cooked beans out on the buffet table. Or maybe it’s Mediterranean night and you’ve prepared a delicious garbanzo bean salad. How long can you keep your dish out for the taking and not risk people getting sick?
According to the USDA, you can safely keep these cooked bean dishes on the buffet table at room temperature for up to two hours. You can extend this time a little bit if you keep them in the hot pot in which they were cooked with the lid on to preserve the time that they are still very warm.
If you live in a hotter than average climate, take this into consideration and know that your window for safely leaving the beans on the counter will be shorter. The USDA recommends only leaving foods unrefrigerated for an hour if the average temperature is above 90F/32C
Once the beans have cooled a bit and everyone has enjoyed their dinner with a side of beans, it’s time to get them into cold storage so you can enjoy it all again tomorrow and the next day. (Who said Taco Wednesdays and Thursdays can’t be a thing?)
What Happens If You Eat Beans That Have Gone Bad?
So, perhaps you made the batch of margaritas a bit too strong and you simply didn’t get around to cleaning the kitchen after Taco Tuesday party night.
The next day, you find the beans and make some huevos rancheros for breakfast. They were so good the night before, why not add some eggs and do it all again this morning?
It’s a risk. Bacteria begins to form on perishable food items after about 2 hours at room temperature. (If your climate is an exceptionally warm one, this window is even shorter).
Eating food that has begun to grow bacteria can lead to food poisoning which has a wide range of symptoms from minor abdominal discomfort to severe cramping, fever, diarrhea, and dehydration.
In extreme cases, when diarrhea or vomiting lasts for more than a couple of hours, dehydration can become an issue that requires immediate medical assistance. The best bet is to err on the side of caution: throw away the beans left out on the counter and start a fresh batch.
How Can You Tell If Beans Have Gone Bad?
Whether you’ve left them out or put them away properly and a few days later you come across another inspiring bean recipe. It calls for the same beans you made a few nights ago and you’re hoping to use your leftovers. Is it safe to do so?
No need to make a wild guess because there is good news: beans will not lie to you. The smell of beans that have turned or begun to grow bacteria is strong and offensive. A quick sniff test will tell you if they smell like a yummy addition to your taco plate or a very bad idea.
If they’ve been in the fridge or on the counter for too long, you’ll be able to see the bacteria growth in the form of a white-ish film which (see above) will also smell very bad. Black and pinto beans are especially forthcoming here because light-colored growth is easy to see in contrast to their darker colors.
If you’re wondering about a can of beans that has not yet been opened, check the expiration date on the can itself. Beans make a great pantry item and “emergency box” food because they can last a long time on the shelf, but all foods have eventual expiration dates. It’s a good idea to throw out anything past the factory label expiration date.
Finally, the jar of dry beans in your pantry will last for years. Assuming the pantry is dark and dry, your jars of dry beans will be a great source for meal-making almost indefinitely.
Of course, all good things come to an end and after a couple of years, even dry storage beans will not taste as fresh after cooking. If they’ve sat unused for a long time, shake the jar and look for signs of moths or mold.
How Should Cooked Beans Be Stored?
Beans make great leftover additions to a wide variety of meals for the next few days, so it’s worth taking the time to get them into proper storage after they’ve been enjoyed. A few simple steps and you’re looking at an easy, nutritious side dish for days to come.
Allow beans to cool, place into an airtight container, and place in the fridge. You can use resealable bags, but this tends to be messier than a glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Avoid simply covering a bowl with plastic or foil, as this is not airtight and beans will not last as long, even in cold storage.
Cooked beans can also be frozen, although they do tend to dry out a bit, so be sure to store them with plenty of liquid. Pour the room temperature cooked beans and cooking liquid into a resealable bag, leaving room for expansion. Press out excess air, seal tightly, and lay flat in the freezer. You’ll want to use a sharpie to date the resealable bag.
How Long Do Cooked Beans Last?
If you get your beans into the refrigerator in a timely manner and sealed properly they’ll be good additions to other meals for 3-5 days. If you have used an airtight container, you’ll enjoy your leftovers for 4-5 days, whereas if you’ve opted to cover the bowl with plastic wrap or foil you’ll need to use the beans within 2-3 days.
If you’ve opted to freeze your beans, you’ll be glad that you marked the date on your freezer bag. Use leftover frozen beans within 4-6 weeks of initial freezing.
For optimum use, freeze beans in appropriate portions for your household when you put them in the freezer originally, so you can defrost and reheat only what you need.
Whether it’s taco night pintos being used as refried beans or garbanzo beans being turned into hummus, the wide variety of bean recipes make them a great leftover food to have on hand. Get your nutritious and delicious beans into appropriate storage before the night is out so you can enjoy them again soon.