AboutCarol Schlitt Expertise I can answer questions on home food safety, sanitation, home food preservation and commercial food safety (HACCP).
Experience I am an Extension educator, nutrition, wellness and food safety. I am a certified HACCP manager and a food safety instructor for the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Organizations International Association for Food Protection, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (Certified CFCS), National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, Society for Nutrition Education.
Education/Credentials BS - University of Illinois
MS - Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Question I was wondering if it's possible to oversoak dried kidney beans. put them in the fridge several days ago to soak and forgot about them...it's been almost a week. am going to make minestrone soup. should I throw them away and start over?
Answer Hi Rachelle,
Yes -- you can oversoak beans but usually the effect is that the beans ferment rendering them unusable.
What I assume you are meaning by soaking beans and putting them in the fridge is "will they soak up too much water?" The answer is yes -- some beans will become mushy when over soaked causing them to become like refried beans when cooked. While this is not unsafe, it does not produce the best quality product.
Test the beans first before deciding if you want to go ahead and cook them. Are they soft, skins split, etc? If so -- I would pitch them and start all over as your minestrone is worthy of better beans!!!
I hope this answers your question, If you have additional questions, please let me know.
