How Long Do Beans Take To Cook On The Stove

Beans take anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours to cook on the stove, depending on the type, size, and age of the beans.
 
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a pot of beans wondering how long do beans take to cook on the stove, you’re not alone.
 
The truth is that there’s no single answer because beans are all a little different, and several factors affect how long they take to soften.
 
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how long beans take to cook on the stove, what affects that time, and how you can tell when they’re perfectly done.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

How Long Do Beans Take to Cook on the Stove?

Beans take different amounts of time to cook on the stove depending on the variety, so let’s look at how long some of the most common beans take.
 

1. Lentils (20–30 Minutes)

Lentils are the fastest beans to cook on the stove.
 
Red lentils cook in about 20 minutes, while green and brown lentils usually take 25 to 30 minutes.
 
They don’t need soaking, which makes them a great choice if you want beans that cook quickly on the stove.
 

2. Black Beans (60–90 Minutes)

Black beans typically take about 60 to 90 minutes to cook on the stove.
 
If you’ve soaked them overnight, they’ll cook closer to 60 minutes.
 
Unsoaked black beans take longer, so plan for around 90 minutes or more.
 

3. Kidney Beans (60–120 Minutes)

Kidney beans take about 60 to 120 minutes to cook on the stove.
 
Soaked kidney beans soften in roughly an hour.
 
Unsoaked kidney beans can take up to 2 hours, and they absolutely need a hard boil for at least 10 minutes to destroy toxins.
 

4. Chickpeas (90–120 Minutes)

Chickpeas take the longest of the common beans, usually 90 to 120 minutes on the stove.
 
Soaking them overnight can shave off 30 minutes or so.
 

5. Pinto Beans (60–90 Minutes)

Pinto beans take about 60 to 90 minutes to cook on the stove when soaked.
 
Unsoaked pinto beans take closer to 2 hours.
 
So if you’re wondering how long do pinto beans take to cook on the stove, plan for at least 90 minutes.
 

What Affects How Long Beans Take to Cook on the Stove

Several things can change how long beans take to cook on the stove, and knowing them helps you plan better.
 

1. Soaking vs. Not Soaking

Soaking beans overnight can cut their cooking time on the stove by 30 minutes or more.
 
If you skip soaking, expect beans to take longer to cook on the stove.
 

2. The Age of the Beans

Older beans take much longer to cook on the stove than fresh ones.
 
Beans that have sat in your pantry for over a year may never soften fully, no matter how long you cook them.
 

3. Altitude

If you live at a high altitude, beans take longer to cook on the stove because water boils at a lower temperature.
 
You may need to add 30 minutes or more to the cooking time.
 

4. Acidity in the Pot

Adding acidic ingredients like tomatoes, lemon, or vinegar too early can slow down how long beans take to cook on the stove.
 
Add these at the end, once the beans are already tender.
 

How to Tell When Beans Are Done Cooking on the Stove

Knowing when beans are fully cooked on the stove comes down to texture and taste.
 

1. The Squish Test

Press a bean between your fingers.
 
If it smashes easily with light pressure, it’s done.
 
If it still feels firm in the middle, it needs more time on the stove.
 

2. Taste One (or Three)

Taste a few beans, not just one, since they can cook unevenly.
 
They should be creamy inside with no chalky or grainy texture.
 

3. Check the Skins

The skins should be soft and starting to split, not tough or papery.
 
When beans are properly cooked on the stove, the skins stay intact but give way easily.
 

Tips for Cooking Beans on the Stove Faster

If you want beans to cook faster on the stove, here are a few tricks that actually work.
 

1. Soak in Salted Water

Soaking beans in salted water overnight helps them soften faster and season them from the inside.
 

2. Keep a Rolling Simmer

A gentle but steady simmer cooks beans on the stove faster than a lazy, barely bubbling pot.
 

3. Don’t Add Salt Until the End

Wait to add salt until the beans are nearly tender, since early salt can toughen the skins.
 

So, How Long Do Beans Take to Cook on the Stove?

Beans take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3 hours to cook on the stove, depending on the type and whether you soaked them.
 
Lentils are the quickest, while chickpeas and unsoaked kidney beans take the longest.
 
Factors like soaking, bean age, altitude, and acidity all affect how long beans take to cook on the stove.
 
Once you know the timing for your favorite beans, cooking them on the stove becomes second nature.
 
So grab a pot, pick your beans, and give it a go.