Dry Black Beans vs. Canned: Which Is Better?
If you've ever stood in the grocery aisle wondering whether you should grab a bag of dried black beans or a couple of cans, you're not alone. Both are great pantry staples, but there are some important differences when it comes to cost, convenience, flavor, texture, and control over ingredients.
At Dinner With Durf, we usually reach for dried black beans. They take a little more planning, but we like the texture, we can control exactly how they're cooked and seasoned, and they're usually a great choice when we're trying to stretch our grocery budget.
That doesn't mean canned beans don't have their place! Here's how the two compare.
Dried Black Beans
Dried black beans require a little more work than opening a can, but in our house, we think they're worth it.
Why We Prefer Dried Black Beans
One of our biggest reasons is texture.
We like our beans a little more al dente, and when you cook dried beans yourself, you control exactly how soft or firm they become. Just begin checking them toward the end of the cooking time and stop cooking when they've reached the texture you prefer.
We also like being able to control what's added to our beans. You determine the amount of salt and seasonings and don't have to rely on what's already been added to a can.
And then there's the cost.
Buying dried beans in a bag can be considerably less expensive than buying the equivalent amount in individual cans—especially if beans are something you use regularly.
Do You Have to Soak Black Beans Overnight?
You can soak dried black beans overnight, but forgetting to soak them doesn't mean dinner is ruined!
Soaking can shorten the cooking time, but black beans can also be cooked without an overnight soak. They'll simply take longer.
Before cooking, sort through the beans and rinse them thoroughly.
Place them in a pot and cover with plenty of water. Keep the beans covered with liquid as they simmer, adding additional hot water if necessary.
Begin checking them as they become tender.
Dinner With Durf Tip: Don't rely entirely on the clock. Taste a bean! That's our favorite way to determine whether they've reached the texture we like.
Give Your Black Beans More Flavor
You don't necessarily have to cook your beans in plain water.
If we have some of our home-canned chicken stock available, we'll sometimes use it to add additional flavor to the beans.
You can also add seasonings and aromatics to the cooking liquid depending on how you plan to use the beans.
That's another advantage of starting with dried beans—you get to decide what goes into them.
How Much Do Dried Black Beans Make?
Here's an easy conversion to remember:
½ cup dried black beans ≈ 1½ cups cooked beans ≈ about one 15-ounce can
A 1-pound bag of dried black beans generally yields around 6 cups of cooked beans, or roughly the amount you'd get from about four 15-ounce cans.
That's why comparing the price of one bag to the price of one can doesn't tell the whole story.
Are Dried Black Beans Cheaper Than Canned?
Usually, yes—and the difference becomes more noticeable when you compare equivalent amounts.
For example, if a 1-pound bag of dried black beans costs around $1.25–$1.75, that bag can yield roughly the equivalent of four cans of beans.
If canned black beans cost around $1.25 per can, four cans would cost approximately $5.00.
That could mean paying around $1.25–$1.75 versus $5.00 for roughly the same amount of cooked beans.
Prices vary by store, brand, location, and sales, of course, so check the current prices where you shop.
For us, those little savings are exactly the kind that can add up over time.
What About Canned Black Beans?
Canned black beans win when it comes to one thing:
Convenience.
They're already cooked and ready to add to tacos, soups, salads, burritos, and other quick meals.
If dinner needs to be on the table quickly, opening a can is certainly easier than cooking dried beans.
Canned beans can contain added sodium, so check the label if that's something you're watching. Low-sodium and no-salt-added versions are also available.
Draining and rinsing canned beans can remove some of the sodium as well.
Dried vs. Canned Black Beans at a Glance
Dried Black Beans Canned Black Beans
Cost Usually lower Usually higher
Convenience Require cooking Ready to use
Texture You control it Already determined
Seasoning Complete control May contain added salt
Storage Excellent pantry staple Excellent pantry staple
Best for Budget cooking & big batches Fast meals
Which Do We Use?
For Dinner With Durf, dried black beans usually win.
We don't mind spending a little extra time cooking them because we like controlling the texture and seasoning—and we appreciate the savings.
But there's absolutely nothing wrong with keeping a few cans in the pantry for those nights when convenience matters more than saving a few dollars.
The best choice is the one that works for your budget, your schedule, and the meal you're making.
Recipes Using Black Beans
Now that you've got your beans ready, put them to work!
Freezer-Friendly Taco Soup
Our taco soup is exactly the kind of recipe where buying dried beans makes sense. We make a double batch, use our homemade stock, enjoy taco soup for dinner, and portion the leftovers into 1-cup containers for quick freezer lunches and easy dinners.
Get the Freezer-Friendly Taco Soup Recipe
Taco Salad
Black beans are also perfect for an easy taco salad loaded with your favorite toppings.
Taco Salad: A Flavorful Fiesta in a Bowl
Dinner With Durf Tip: You don't have to choose dried or canned beans forever. Keep both in the pantry. Use dried beans when you have time and want to save money, and keep canned beans around for those nights when getting dinner on the table quickly wins.