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How long to simmer black beans depends on whether you’re using dried beans or canned beans, and whether you’ve soaked them beforehand.
If you’re working with dried black beans that have been soaked overnight, they typically need about 60 to 90 minutes of simmering on the stovetop.
If you’re using unsoaked dried beans, you’re looking at closer to 2 to 3 hours.
And if you’re using canned black beans, the answer is much simpler — just 10 to 15 minutes to heat them through.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how long to simmer black beans based on your method, plus tips to get them perfectly tender every time.
Let’s get into it.
How Long to Simmer Black Beans on the Stovetop
Simmering black beans on the stovetop is the classic method, and knowing how long to simmer black beans this way gives you the most control over texture and flavor.
1. Soaked Black Beans: 60 to 90 Minutes
If you soaked your black beans overnight or used the quick-soak method, they’ll cook relatively fast.
Bring them to a boil in a large pot with plenty of water, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.
How long to simmer black beans that have been soaked?
About 60 to 90 minutes, depending on how fresh the beans are.
Fresher dried beans cook faster, while older beans can take closer to the 90-minute mark.
2. Unsoaked Black Beans: 2 to 3 Hours
If you skipped the soaking step, don’t worry — you can still simmer black beans straight from dry.
Just expect a longer cook time.
How long to simmer black beans that haven’t been soaked?
Plan for 2 to 3 hours of gentle simmering.
Keep the pot covered partially and stir occasionally, adding more water as needed so the beans stay submerged.
3. Canned Black Beans: 10 to 15 Minutes
Canned black beans are already cooked, so simmering them is really just about heating them through and letting them absorb flavor.
How long to simmer black beans from a can?
Just 10 to 15 minutes in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
If you’re adding them to a soup or stew, you can simply toss them in during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
How Long to Simmer Black Beans in a Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker or Instant Pot is the fastest way to get tender black beans, and the answer to how long to simmer black beans here is much shorter.
1. Soaked Beans: 8 to 10 Minutes
Soaked black beans cook in just 8 to 10 minutes at high pressure, plus natural release time.
That’s a huge time saver compared to the stovetop.
2. Unsoaked Beans: 25 to 30 Minutes
Unsoaked black beans need about 25 to 30 minutes at high pressure.
Let the pressure release naturally for at least 15 minutes before opening the valve.
This keeps the beans intact and prevents them from splitting.
How to Tell When Black Beans Are Done Simmering
Knowing how long to simmer black beans is one thing, but you also need to recognize when they’re actually done.
1. Texture Test
A perfectly simmered black bean should be tender but not mushy.
Bite into one — it should give easily with a slight resistance in the center.
If it’s still firm or chalky, keep simmering and check again in 10-minute intervals.
2. Skins Should Stay Intact
The skins of properly simmered black beans stay mostly intact.
If they’re splitting open and turning to mush, you’ve simmered them too long.
If they’re tough and the skins are peeling away, they need more time.
3. Taste for Doneness
The best way to tell if black beans are done simmering is simply to taste a few.
They should taste creamy, mild, and fully cooked with no raw bean flavor.
Season them with salt only after they’ve finished simmering, since adding salt too early can toughen the skins.
4. Adjust for Altitude
If you live at a high altitude, how long to simmer black beans changes.
Water boils at a lower temperature up high, so beans take longer to cook.
Add 15 to 30 minutes to your simmer time if you’re above 3,500 feet.
Tips for Perfectly Simmered Black Beans
Simmering black beans is easy once you know how long to simmer black beans for your chosen method.
Always use a large pot so the beans have room to move.
Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during the first few minutes of simmering.
Add aromatics like onion, garlic, and bay leaves while the beans simmer for extra flavor.
And keep the water level about two inches above the beans at all times.
So, How Long to Simmer Black Beans?
How long to simmer black beans comes down to your method and whether they’ve been soaked.
Soaked beans need 60 to 90 minutes on the stovetop, unsoaked beans need 2 to 3 hours, canned beans need just 10 to 15 minutes, and a pressure cooker can cut that down to 8 to 30 minutes.
The good news is that no matter which route you take, tender, creamy black beans are completely within reach.
Now you know exactly how long to simmer black beans, so you can stop guessing and start cooking.