Dried beans - would not get soft

[DinkyDau]

I have stored beans and peas for many years, and not had a problem..I only soak for 24 and then slow cook up to 8 hrs I do add butter. Sound like something you don't need to mess with..Think about the electricity cost, Lesson learned with that brand.. I don't spice until maybe 2 hrs before eating..Meat and onions I will add when I start the slow cook. Good luck with your endeavor!

 

[biker_bill]

I have some really old, off brand dried red beans that I bought at the Asian market (off Spring Road in Smyrna). I have tried 2 times to cook them, and both times I think the beans cooked way too long and never got completely soft.

Today was the second attempt. I had a leftover smoked pork picnic bone that I really wanted to use, so I soaked the red beans for about 36 hours, and then cooked them on the stove for over 5 hours and they never got completely soft. They were edible, but still a bit "al dente".

I googled dried bean recipes, and most state that you don't even have to soak them, or at most, soak them about 6 hours. And the recipes also state that you should only cook them for 1-2 hours to get soft.

What am I doing wrong? I will admit these beans are probably 5+ years old. Could it be that when dried beans get that old they require many more hours of cooking time? Or did I just get some bad beans?

That's a pretty good description of old beans. They never get exactly right....
Oh yeah and Apalachian is correct. Never ever salt beans until they're fully cooked it makes the skins tough.

 

[bearpugh]

i never soak. just slow cooker all day. good to go.