Beans are a staple of so many different cuisines around the world, and for good reason. Tasty, nutritious, and super filling, knowing how to simply cook some good beans is enough to make anyone a good home cook.
One type of bean that often gets ignored, however, is the humble fava bean, also known as the broad bean.
Usually relegated to nothing more than animal feed, this simple green bean can be cooked super easily, as well as enjoyed in a variety of different ways, so why not learn how to cook fava beans yourself?
How Can I Use My Homecooked Fava Beans?
Fava beans might seem pretty boring on their own, but considering the fact that they’re just regular old beans, they are actually surprisingly delicious!
So long as you season them properly, fava beans can be enjoyed completely on their own. However, for a more balanced meal, pairing them with a healthy grain or some other kind of protein would help make a more filling meal.
You can also use your cooked fava beans in any recipe that calls for beans! From chili to bean soup, fava beans are the perfect kitchen staple to incorporate in basically any bean-filled recipe.
What Kind Of Special Equipment Do I Need To Cook Fava Beans?
Cooking fava beans is as simple as having a pot capable of boiling water, so you really don’t need anything special to make these!
Ingredients
1 cup of fava beans, dried or canned
Water, enough to cover the beans completely in a saucepan
1 teaspoon salt
How To Cook Fava Beans
If using Canned Fava Beans:
Step 1 – Empty out the can and drain away all of the liquid, rinsing off any excess using cold water.
Step 2 – Transfer your fava beans to a saucepan filled with cold water and salt, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 3 – Cook the fava beans until completely tender, and then drain and serve!
If using dried fava beans:
Step 1 – Rinse off your fava beans under cold water to remove any dried residue.
Step 2 – Soak your fava beans in enough water to cover the fava beans overnight, or around 8 hours, to allow them to rehydrate.
Step 3 – Boil your fava beans in enough water to cover them and the salt, cooking until completely tender, yet not falling apart, and then serve
Troubleshooting Tips
• One thing you might struggle with when it comes to fava beans is their rather sticky, thick skin. While this skin is absolutely packed with nutrients and fiber, some people might not like it as much, so you can really easily just pop the skin off of each one as you eat them.
• If you are using dried fava beans, you might find that your beans don’t seem to have changed much in size after soaking. If this happens, you might have just not left them long enough in soak! Try leaving them the full 8 hours to see if they hydrate thoroughly.
Nutritional Facts
For the health-conscious out there, here are the nutritional details for 1/4 cup of fava beans.
Calories: 85
Total Fat: 0.4 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.1 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 9.69 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates: 14.6 grams
Dietary Fiber: 6.3 grams
Sugars: 1.4 grams
Protein: 6.5 gram
Potassium: 268 milligrams
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FAQs
When it comes to cooking with fava beans, you can either go canned or dried and what you choose to do is up to you.
Canned fava beans are a lot more convenient because they are already pre-soaked and even partially cooked, so they are ready to cook in almost no time at all.
Dried fava beans take a lot longer, as you need to soak them and cook them for ages, but they can have a better flavor and texture – you just need to decide what’s more important to you!
If you are struggling to find fava beans at your local supermarket, you might try looking for broad beans instead.
Beans often have many different names depending on where you live in the world, and though fava beans are the more traditional name, they are also frequently sold under the name of “broad beans.”
So keep hunting around your supermarket for either fava or broad beans, and you should be fine.
How to Cook Fava Beans
Ingredients
1 cup of fava beans, dried or canned
Water, enough to cover the beans completely in a saucepan
1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
If using Canned Fava Beans:
Step 1 – Empty out the can and drain away all of the liquid, rinsing off any excess using cold water.
Step 2 – Transfer your fava beans to a saucepan filled with cold water and salt, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step 3 – Cook the fava beans until completely tender, and then drain and serve!
If using dried fava beans:
Step 1 – Rinse off your fava beans under cold water to remove any dried residue.
Step 2 – Soak your fava beans in enough water to cover the fava beans overnight, or around 8 hours, to allow them to rehydrate.
Step 3 – Boil your fava beans in enough water to cover them and the salt, cooking until completely tender, yet not falling apart, and then serve.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
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