Can You Cook Beans in a Rice Cooker? Dried and Canned Beans Guide
Yes, you can cook beans in a rice cooker. Use soaked dried beans with about 3 cups of water per cup of beans, run the brown rice, porridge or slow cook setting, and check them after an hour. Canned beans just need warming. Kidney beans need a 10-minute full boil on the stove first for safety.
Cooking Dried Beans in a Rice Cooker
- Soak. Cover 1 cup of dried beans with plenty of water and soak for 8 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Add to the pot. Put the soaked beans in the inner pot with 3 cups of fresh water. Do not fill the pot more than halfway, because beans expand and foam.
- Choose a setting. Brown rice, porridge or slow cook usually run long enough. A basic white rice setting may switch off too early.
- Check at 60 minutes. Taste a bean. If it is not tender, add ½ cup hot water and run the cycle again.
- Season at the end. Add salt, herbs and aromatics when the beans are tender, then rest 10 minutes in the liquid.
Cooking Times by Bean (Soaked)
| Bean | Soaked cook time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Black beans | 60–75 min | Reliable in a rice cooker |
| Pinto beans | 60–90 min | Check for tenderness |
| Chickpeas | 90–120 min | May need two cycles |
| Cannellini / white beans | 60–90 min | |
| Lentils (no soak) | 30–40 min | Use 1 : 2 water |
| Kidney beans | See safety note | Boil 10 minutes on the stove first |
Times vary by cooker wattage and bean age. Older beans take longer.
Important Safety Note About Kidney Beans
Raw red kidney beans contain a natural toxin called phytohaemagglutinin. It is destroyed by boiling at 212°F (100°C) for at least 10 minutes. Slow cookers and some rice cookers may not reach or hold a full boil, which can leave the toxin active. Boil soaked kidney beans on the stove for 10 minutes first, then finish them in the rice cooker if you like.
Using Canned Beans in a Rice Cooker
Canned beans are already cooked. To make rice and beans together, rinse and drain 1 can (15 oz) of beans, add them on top of 1 cup of rinsed white rice, and add 1¼ cups of water and a pinch of salt. Cook on the white rice setting. Do not stir the beans into the rice before cooking, to avoid scorching. You can also try the Spanish-style version in Spanish rice in a rice cooker.
Tips
- Do not fill the pot more than halfway. Beans foam and can clog the steam vent.
- Add a spoonful of oil to cut foaming.
- Do not add salt or acidic ingredients (tomato, vinegar) until the beans are tender, because they can keep beans hard.
- Check your manual first. Some manufacturers say not to cook dried beans in basic models.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to soak beans for a rice cooker?
Yes for most beans. Soaking shortens cooking time and helps beans cook evenly. Lentils do not need soaking.
How long do beans take in a rice cooker?
Usually 60 to 120 minutes for soaked dried beans, depending on the type.
Can I cook beans and rice together in a rice cooker?
Yes with canned beans or with very quick-cooking beans. Dried beans take much longer than rice, so cook them first.
Why are my beans still hard?
They may be old, were not soaked, or the cooker shut off early. Add hot water and run another cycle.
What is the best setting for beans?
Brown rice, porridge or slow cook, because they run longer than the white rice setting.
Sources
Kidney bean safety guidance is from the US FDA Bad Bug Book. Cook times are typical ranges and vary by cooker. See your model’s manual for approved uses.
Last reviewed: November 2026