Black turtle beans are very popular in Mexican, South American, and Cajun cooking. They have a meaty texture and a mushroom-like flavor that makes them useful for many vegetarian dishes. Black turtle beans are a very good source of antioxidants, protein, and dietary fiber.
Black turtle beans require less soaking than most other beans. 2-4 hours of soaking in cold water is sufficient. The cooking water is often saved as a base for soups.
Cooking instructions: Soak 1 cup of black turtle beans in 3 cups cold water for 2-4 hours. Drain and discard the soaking water. Add 2½ cups cold water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer slowly for 2 hours or until beans are tender. (Slow simmering over low heat keeps the beans from shedding their skins.)
Sealed in a #10 can with oxygen absorber for long-term storage. See our Shelf Life and Storage Guidelines pages for further information.
