If you soak pinto beans all day can you rinse them and put them into the fridge overnight without cooking them first?

Answer 1

Although some sites don't tell you to do so, soaking beans overnight is best done under refrigeration for food safety purposes.

Dry beans are an agricultural product and have had plenty of exposure to critters, soil and irrigation water which could all contribute to a population of unknown micro-flora. Hydrating the beans at room temperature for an overnight will allow the growth of any pathogens that are present. The bacterial load will be increased and any toxins produced might not be destroyed when the beans are cooked. So, to avoid dealing with all of that, soak the beans under refrigeration.

Answer 2

When soaking pinto beans, refrigeration is not necessary. In Mexico, pintos have been soaked overnight for hundreds of years, much longer than the invention of the refrigerator and turn out better than most of us will ever make them. In some areas of Mexico, night temperatures do not drop below 64 degrees Fahrenheit, and the soaking beans are completely fine. (For an extra tidbit of info, to significantly reduce gas caused by beans, boil a piece of Kombu seaweed with them. It does not alter the taste at all and it breaks down the enzymes that are hard to digest, and thereby eliminating most of the "toot" from the musical fruit.)

Answer 3

Yes, but it might be good to try soaking them overnight as well - just chance the water for fresh and leave them to soak.

Answer 4

Beans that are soaking are actually a potentially hazardous food. They should be soaked under refrigeration.

Answer 5

One can cook pinto's without soaking overnight, the cooking time will be longer and require more water as the beans swell and soak up the water.