How to Cook Fava Beans

A Healthier Michigan

| 1 min read

Fava beans are versatile legumes that are high in fiber, potassium and magnesium. They are a great source of plant-based protein. Flava beans come in fresh, dried, and frozen varieties.
When buying at the grocery store, look for fresh fava beans with green plump pods that have just started to turn shiny. Shelling and skinning the beans might take a while if you've never done it before, but once prepped, beans can be frozen and used later. Serve cooked fava beans as a side dish on their own or in a soup, stew or dip.

Total Time:

35 minutes

Prep Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Medium

Serving Amount
Ingredients

  • 10 cups water

  • 1 pound fava beans

  • salt, if desired

Instructions
  • Step 1

    If your fava beans aren’t yet shelled, shell the fava beans by pulling at the stem along the seam of the pod. The fava bean pod edges have a seam. To open the pod, snap off the tip and pull down. The seam should open like a zipper, but you can easily tear it open the rest of the way with your hands once the pod is somewhat open.

  • Step 2

    Remove the beans from the pod. Each pod should have four or five beans. Once the beans are shelled, place them to the side. Boil a large pot with water and salt the water according to preference and health needs. Use 10 cups of water for every 1 pound of fava beans. Oce the water if boiling, add the fava beans.

  • Step 3

    Boil the fava beans for just 1 minute, if they’re going to be skinned and used in a recipe or eaten on their own. Boil them for 3 to 4 minutes if you plan to puree or mash the fava beans.

  • Step 4

    With a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the fava beans to a bowl of ice water. This will stop them from cooking any longer. After that the beans will be ready to peel. The skin should slip off fairly easily by pinching between your thumb and first finger. This step is not necessary for some dishes or preferences but will be important if your recipe calls for skinned fava beans.

How to Store Cooked Fava Beans

Fresh, unshelled beans can be stored in the fridge for up to 10 days. Shelled beans can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days, or frozen for up to a month. Dried fava beans will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a year.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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