Name: Cannellini Beans: From Dried Beans to Brothy Bean Bliss
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: American

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 28, 2026

This simple Cannellini beans recipe will become a favorite ingredient in your weekly meal prep. Whether you're making Mediterranean white bean soup or a creamy dip, these beans will add a nutty flavor and creamy texture to your favorite dishes. Enjoy them in their own delicious broth or drain and rinse them and add them to other recipes just the same way you would with canned beans.

Cannellini Beans: From Dried Beans to Brothy Bean Bliss

Cannellini Beans: From Dried Beans to Brothy Bean Bliss cover

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Cannellini Beans: From Dried Beans to Brothy Bean Bliss

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningFish and 2 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

If using dried beans, soak them overnight or use the quick soak method.

Drain the beans and place them in a large pot with broth, onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, and red pepper flakes.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Once the beans are tender, remove the onion and bay leaf. Stir in olive oil and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

No-Soak Bean Brilliance 💡
Skip the traditional overnight soaking by using a quick-boil method: bring beans to a boil for 2 minutes, then let them sit covered for 1 hour before cooking to reduce cooking time and digestive issues.
Flavor Layering Magic 🧄
Bloom red pepper flakes and garlic in olive oil at the beginning of cooking to release their essential oils and create a deeper, more complex flavor base for your beans.
Broth Depth Technique 🥄
Save the bean cooking liquid as a rich, flavorful stock - it's perfect for adding depth to soups, stews, and risottos, capturing all the minerals and aromatics from the cooking process.
Bean Texture Control 🥣
Add salt only after beans are tender to prevent tough skins; acidic ingredients like tomatoes should also be added later in the cooking process to ensure even softening.
Aromatics Enhancement 🌿
Add a whole bay leaf during cooking and remove before serving to infuse a subtle, earthy background note without overwhelming the beans' natural flavor.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.