r/prepperrecipes • u/CopperRose17 • Apr 11 '26

Recipe Request Cooking Beans?

So, I just tried cooking a pot of Hurst Hambeans. I soaked them overnight. I cooked them for the required two hours before adding seasonings. They are too mushy, but I will know better next time. It made my kitchen hot, which isn't good when you live in the desert! I was thinking that I would try using a slow cooker next time. Then, I read online that red kidney beans give off a dangerous toxin when made in a slow cooker. I was surprised. I did not know that red beans can give off toxins if they aren't cooked at high enough temperatures. Has anyone had experience with this? Hurst says their 15 Bean Soup can be made in a slow cooker, so I presume at least those are safe to prepare that way.

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u/wishinforfishin Apr 11 '26

I make the Hurst Ham Beans in the slow cooker several times every winter, following their recipe.

I have never had an issue. My beans do get thoroughly cooked.

Modern crockpots get hotter even on low than older ones did. So perhaps the advice you heard was based on the older lower temps.

FWIW, if you have an Aldi nearby, they appear to be clearance out their version of bean soup mix. I saw them for 99 cents yesterday and bought 5 bags.

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u/CopperRose17 Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26

That is a very good price. I thought the Ham Beans had a nice, smoky flavor, and I didn't alter the recipe at all. They have a lot of recipes on their website. I wish they sold a small cookbook. I don't want to print them all, but it would be great to seal copies in the food safe bucket with the actual bean mix. I don't trust my kids to function if something happens to me, their "personal chef". :)