How Do You Take The Gas Out Of Beans

You can take the gas out of beans by using methods that break down or reduce the compounds responsible for it, and there are several easy ways to do it at home.
 
Beans are notorious for causing bloating and embarrassing gas because they contain oligosaccharides like raffinose and stachyose.
 
Your body doesn’t have the enzyme to digest these sugars, so they travel to your large intestine where bacteria ferment them and produce gas.
 
The good news is that you can take the gas out of beans with a few simple techniques, and once you know how to do it, you’ll never have to avoid them again.
 
In this post, we’ll look at how to take the gas out of beans, why these methods work, and the common mistakes that keep people bloated.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

How to Take the Gas Out of Beans

You can take the gas out of beans, and here’s how the most effective methods work:
 

1. Soak Your Beans Overnight

Soaking beans is the oldest trick for taking the gas out of beans, and it genuinely works.
 
When you soak dried beans in water for 8 to 12 hours, the oligosaccharides leach out into the water.
 
Then you simply drain that water and rinse the beans before cooking.
 
This single step can remove a large portion of the gas-causing compounds before they ever reach your pot.
 
Use about three cups of water for every cup of beans and let them sit on the counter overnight.
 

2. Discard the Soaking Water Completely

Here’s where many people go wrong when trying to take the gas out of beans.
 
They soak the beans and then cook them in the same water, which defeats the whole purpose.
 
The oligosaccharides have moved into that soaking liquid, so cooking in it puts them right back into your meal.
 
Always drain and rinse your beans thoroughly after soaking, then cook them in fresh water.
 
That’s the key step for really taking the gas out of beans.
 

3. Cook Beans with a Piece of Kombu

Kombu is a dried kelp that contains enzymes that help break down the sugars in beans.
 
Toss a small strip into the pot while your beans simmer, and it will help take the gas out of beans naturally.
 
You don’t have to eat the kombu afterward, though you can if you like.
 
It also adds a subtle umami flavor that makes beans taste richer.
 
This is a staple technique in Japanese cooking, and it’s one of the simplest ways to take the gas out of beans.
 

4. Add Baking Soda to the Soak

A pinch of baking soda in your soaking water can help soften beans and reduce the gas they cause.
 
Baking soda makes the water more alkaline, which helps break down the oligosaccharides faster.
 
Just use about a quarter teaspoon per cup of beans, and don’t overdo it or your beans may taste soapy.
 
Some cooks believe this method takes the gas out of beans more effectively than plain water alone.
 
It’s a cheap and easy addition to your routine.
 

Other Ways to Take the Gas Out of Beans

Beyond soaking and kombu, there are more ways to take the gas out of beans if you want extra insurance.
 

1. Cook Beans Thoroughly Until Very Soft

Undercooked beans are harder to digest, so cooking them until they’re completely soft matters more than people realize.
 
When beans are fully cooked, their cell walls break down and the starches become easier for your body to handle.
 
This won’t remove every oligosaccharide, but it helps take the gas out of beans in a meaningful way.
 
So keep simmering until a bean mashes easily against the side of the pot.
 

2. Rinse Canned Beans Before Using

If you’re using canned beans, you can still take the gas out of beans with a quick rinse.
 
Drain the can and run the beans under cold water for a minute or two.
 
That liquid in the can contains some of the same gas-causing compounds, so rinsing helps reduce them.
 
It also cuts down on sodium, which is a nice bonus.
 
It’s a thirty-second step that makes a real difference for anyone trying to take the gas out of beans from a can.
 

3. Try Beano or an Enzyme Supplement

If you want to take the gas out of beans without changing your cooking at all, an enzyme supplement like Beano can help.
 
It contains alpha-galactosidase, the exact enzyme your body lacks to break down raffinose and stachyose.
 
Take it right before eating beans, and it goes to work in your digestive tract.
 
Supplements aren’t a replacement for good cooking habits, but they’re a handy backup.
 
A lot of people rely on them when they want to take the gas out of beans and still enjoy a big bowl of chili.
 

4. Start with Smaller Portions

Sometimes the simplest way to take the gas out of beans is to eat less of them at once.
 
Your gut bacteria adjust over time, so if you gradually increase your bean intake, your body often adapts.
 
Smaller servings give your digestive system a chance to catch up.
 
So rather than cutting beans out entirely, ease into them and let your gut adjust.
 

5. Avoid Adding Gas-Producing Sweeteners

It’s worth noting that beans aren’t always the only culprit.
 
If you sweeten your beans with molasses or certain syrups, you may be adding extra fermentable sugars that make gas worse.
 
So when you’re trying to take the gas out of beans, keep an eye on what else goes into the pot.
 

So, How Do You Take the Gas Out of Beans?

You take the gas out of beans by soaking them overnight, draining that water, cooking them in fresh water, and adding kombu or a pinch of baking soda along the way.
 
These methods work because they remove or break down the oligosaccharides your body can’t digest on its own.
 
Rinsing canned beans, cooking them fully, using an enzyme supplement, and easing into larger portions all help too.
 
With a few small changes, you can enjoy beans without the bloating, and that’s exactly how you take the gas out of beans for good.