Kidney beans are a variety of the common bean (*Phaseolus vulgaris)*, an annual [legume](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-legumes) in the lentil and pea family. There are a few different kidney bean varieties, including the standard maroon bean, white kidney beans (or cannellini beans), and the speckled, light pink beans that resemble the Borlotti, or [cranberry bean](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cranberry-beans-guide), a popular ingredient in Italian and Brazilian dishes. Light red kidney beans are popular in Caribbean cuisine. 

Kidney beans have thicker skin than black beans or Great Northern beans but are on par with navy beans, [pinto beans](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide), or small red beans in terms of cooking time—usually about 90 minutes to two hours. These gluten-free beans are the star of various side dishes and lunch options like bean soup, bean salads, and [cassoulet](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-cassoulet).
A rich source of protein, calcium, dietary fiber, and slow-release carbohydrates, kidney beans are a powerful pantry staple with numerous health benefits—and they taste good, too.  

1. __Add to stews and soup__. Kidney beans hold their shape when cooked, making them a popular option in stews like chili, in bean soups like minestrone, and alongside vegetables and chewy grains, like pearl barley or [farro](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-farro-history-cookings-tips-and-easy-recipe), or al dente pasta.
2. __Baked__. Kidney beans are ideal for making [baked beans](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baked-beans-recipe), a classic Southern side dish, thanks to their thick skins and velvety, soft texture: They absorb every last bit of flavor without turning mushy. Learn how to make baked beans using our recipe.
3. __Sautéed__. Preparing kidney beans on the stovetop may take longer than baking them, but this method provides cooks with the opportunity to calibrate the perfect flavor because they can season and taste for doneness throughout the cooking process.  
4. __With rice__. In addition to small red beans, kidney beans in a savory, spiced gravy are the centerpiece of Louisiana Creole-style red beans and rice; in India, a similar (vegetarian) presentation is known as rajma.
To cook canned kidney beans, drain the beans and rinse them under cold water before using them in your favorite bean recipes. If you’re using dry beans, there are a few more steps in the cooking process: 

1. __Quick-soak__. Soaking dry beans before cooking them can reduce your cooking time. To use a [quick-soak method](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soaking-beans-guide), add one cup of kidney beans to a large pot, and cover it with a couple of cups of water. Bring it to a boil, and cook for one minute. Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let the soaked beans stand for one hour. Drain and discard the soaking water, then return the beans to the pot. 
2. __Boil and simmer__. Cover the beans with two cups of fresh water, add a [bay leaf](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves) or two to the pot along with seasonings of your preference, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for one to two hours, or until the beans reach your desired consistency. 
3. __Drain and serve__. Drain off the cooking liquid, and let the beans come to room temperature. Store the cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. 

Kidney beans are distinct from other types of beans by the presence of phytohaemagglutinin, a toxin that must be destroyed by boiling; the USDA recommends a minimum of 30 minutes. If the cooking temperature is too low, the toxins will not adequately break down, so skip the slow cooker if you’re using dried beans.
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Dark red kidney beans, so named for their resemblance to the human organ, are a classic bean with a mild flavor that’s at home in everything from brothy soups to hearty stews.

Dark red kidney beans, so named for their resemblance to the human organ, are a classic bean with a mild flavor that’s at home in everything from brothy soups to hearty stews.

How to Cook Kidney Beans: 4 Ways to Enjoy Kidney Beans

Kidney beans are a variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), an annual <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-legumes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-legumes","linkCopy":"legume","category":null}'>legume</a> in the lentil and pea family. There are a few different kidney bean varieties, including the standard maroon bean, white kidney beans (or cannellini beans), and the speckled, light pink beans that resemble the Borlotti, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cranberry-beans-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/cranberry-beans-guide","linkCopy":"cranberry bean","category":null}'>cranberry bean</a>, a popular ingredient in Italian and Brazilian dishes. Light red kidney beans are popular in Caribbean cuisine. Kidney beans have thicker skin than black beans or Great Northern beans but are on par with navy beans, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pinto-beans-guide","linkCopy":"pinto beans","category":null}'>pinto beans</a>, or small red beans in terms of cooking time—usually about 90 minutes to two hours. These gluten-free beans are the star of various side dishes and lunch options like bean soup, bean salads, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-cassoulet' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-homemade-cassoulet","linkCopy":"cassoulet","category":null}'>cassoulet</a>.

What Are Kidney Beans?

A rich source of protein, calcium, dietary fiber, and slow-release carbohydrates, kidney beans are a powerful pantry staple with numerous health benefits—and they taste good, too. <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Add to stews and soup. Kidney beans hold their shape when cooked, making them a popular option in stews like chili, in bean soups like minestrone, and alongside vegetables and chewy grains, like pearl barley or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-farro-history-cookings-tips-and-easy-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-about-farro-history-cookings-tips-and-easy-recipe","linkCopy":"farro","category":null}'>farro</a>, or al dente pasta. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Baked. Kidney beans are ideal for making <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baked-beans-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/baked-beans-recipe","linkCopy":"baked beans","category":null}'>baked beans</a>, a classic Southern side dish, thanks to their thick skins and velvety, soft texture: They absorb every last bit of flavor without turning mushy. Learn how to make baked beans using our recipe. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Sautéed. Preparing kidney beans on the stovetop may take longer than baking them, but this method provides cooks with the opportunity to calibrate the perfect flavor because they can season and taste for doneness throughout the cooking process. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. With rice. In addition to small red beans, kidney beans in a savory, spiced gravy are the centerpiece of Louisiana Creole-style red beans and rice; in India, a similar (vegetarian) presentation is known as rajma. </li></ol>

4 Ways to Enjoy Kidney Beans

To cook canned kidney beans, drain the beans and rinse them under cold water before using them in your favorite bean recipes. If you’re using dry beans, there are a few more steps in the cooking process: <ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Quick-soak. Soaking dry beans before cooking them can reduce your cooking time. To use a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soaking-beans-guide' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/soaking-beans-guide","linkCopy":"quick-soak method","category":null}'>quick-soak method</a>, add one cup of kidney beans to a large pot, and cover it with a couple of cups of water. Bring it to a boil, and cook for one minute. Remove the pan from the heat, cover it, and let the soaked beans stand for one hour. Drain and discard the soaking water, then return the beans to the pot. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Boil and simmer. Cover the beans with two cups of fresh water, add a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-bay-leaves-17-recipe-ideas-using-bay-leaves","linkCopy":"bay leaf","category":null}'>bay leaf</a> or two to the pot along with seasonings of your preference, and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for one to two hours, or until the beans reach your desired consistency. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Drain and serve. Drain off the cooking liquid, and let the beans come to room temperature. Store the cooked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. </li></ol>Kidney beans are distinct from other types of beans by the presence of phytohaemagglutinin, a toxin that must be destroyed by boiling; the USDA recommends a minimum of 30 minutes. If the cooking temperature is too low, the toxins will not adequately break down, so skip the slow cooker if you’re using dried beans.

How to Cook Kidney Beans

Become a better chef with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Yotam Ottolenghi, Dominique Ansel, Gordon Ramsay, Alice Waters, and more.

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Dark red kidney beans, so named for their resemblance to the human organ, are a classic bean with a mild flavor that’s at home in everything from brothy soups to hearty stews.

Dark red kidney beans, so named for their resemblance to the human organ, are a classic bean with a mild flavor that’s at home in everything from brothy soups to hearty stews.
