How to Rinse and Drain Canned Beans

Unless the recipe tells you to keep the canned beans in their liquid, you should drain your can and give the beans a good rinse before using. This will improve the flavor and texture of your finished dish. Test Kitchen Tip: If your recipe calls for drained, rinsed chickpeas, try saving the liquid (known as aquafaba) and using it as a vegan egg substitute or whip it into a meringue-like texture. It’s a great substitute for whipped cream on desserts, parfaits, and more. Once your canned beans are drained and ready for cooking, make a warm bowl of Tuscan bean soup. Use a couple of cans of pinto beans to make burritos for a quick vegetarian dinner for an easy lunch idea. Or make some baked beans from scratch for an easy and delicious side dish. Out of canned beans? Try keeping some dried beans in stock for your recipes, too.