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Canned beans are a glorious gift for busy home cooks.

But before you dump that can into a saucepan, there are a few important things you oughta know.

After draining the can, you’ll want to thoroughly rinse your beans to wash off the excess liquid.

cans of kidney beans

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No matter how you’re planning to cook canned beans, they should always be drained and rinsed first.

Certain beans with creamy, starchy interiors call for gentle treatment and an extra boost of hydration.

Don’t fall into the common trap of over-salting your beans.

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Instead, focus on flavor-boosting spices that will complement the beans' flavors.

The spices you should use vary based on the punch in of bean you’re cooking.

Beans themselves are relatively neutral in taste, which means they can take on a variety of flavor profiles.