Instructions for pressure canning or freezing ahead dried beans for convenient use

1. Ready to Eat – Food Storage Beans
Canning
Dried bean can be pressure cooked before hand for convenience in food
preparation. I have seen dried beans placed in a jar with water and pressure
cooked immediately. However, this method is not recommended because the
beans will still cause gas problems. It is better to soak the beans for 12-18 hours
before processing. Discard the original soak water and replace with new water
before processing. This will cut down the amount of gas problems caused from
the beans.
Night before processing: Have clean pint jars and lids ready to go
Wash and sort the beans
Place ½ - 2/3 cup beans in each pint jar
Fill jars with water and cover them with a towel overnight
If you use 115 F water, the sprouting process will be initiated and
gas problems will be reduced even further. Place jars on
dehydrator tray or heating pad to keep 115 degrees during the
soak
process
In the morning, empty the water from the jars and refill with hot water to
leave one inch head space. You may need to adjust some beans
Add ½ tsp salt to each jar
Wipe rims of jar and place a lid on each jar according to the manufactures
instructions
Place the jars in the canner and process at 13 lbs pressure for 75
Minutes (Pressure given is for Utah, lower elevations can be
processed at 11-12 lbs pressure)
After jars are cool, wipe down, label and put them on your shelf
Freezing
It is also possible to freeze beans after cooking for convenient preparation.
Some people have complained that this method yields mushy beans. Others
have enjoyed using this method. You can experiment and decide what you like
best.
Wash and sort beans. Place 1 cup beans in quart jar. Cover with water
Soak for 12-18 hours. Drain and rinse
Sprout beans for 3 days if desired (This will increase enzymes and
nutritional value or use soak method above at 115 F)
Cook beans on low in crock-pot for 4-6 hours until tender
Ladle into 3- or 4- cup freezer containers

2. Store in freezer. Use within 6 months