The #1 Ingredient You Need to Make the Best Beans, According to My Mother-In-Law

I’m very fortunate to have always been surrounded by amazing home cooks. With their years of experience, tales of trial and error, and keen intuition from spending so much time behind the stove, expressing creativity through food, they’re heroes in the kitchen. Many I’ve spent time with are never shy when it comes to passing along knowledge and wisdom, answering questions, and inviting me to cook with them. There’s no space for gatekeeping when it comes to spreading love through delicious, home-cooked food!

A perfect example is this pro tip from my mother-in-law. She’s from Puerto Rico, and for years now she’s taught me about the culture and techniques used in Puerto Rican cuisine. She gave me my first tostonera (a plantain press), continues to teach me how to make tostones, shares her tips for well-seasoned rice and tender shrimp—and told me long ago I should never prepare beans without adding a bay leaf to the pot. When I asked her about this pointer, I had no idea what a game changer the simple tip would be.

The Science Behind Adding Bay Leaves to Beans

According to my mother-in-law, adding one or two whole bay leaves directly to your dried beans as they cook will make them more tender and flavorful—and support healthy digestion. Bay leaves contain a number of enzymes that aid in breaking down certain proteins and fats in both beans and meat, and ultimately, in the digestive tract. Because this process makes them more tender and easier to digest, bay leaves can help reduce the unpleasant gas-inducing effects of beans. 

This trick works with canned beans, too. Even though canned beans are already cooked, the leaves will add complexity to whatever dish you’re making.

Keep in mind, though: Bay leaves are quite sharp and are a choking hazard or can harm the digestive tract if swallowed whole or in pieces. So be sure to remove and discard bay leaves from cooked beans before serving. 

Benefits to Cooking Beans with Bay Leaves

• Tenderize. Beans are a budget-friendly, easy dish to cook. However, beans that have been cooked properly maintain a specific texture. If you’ve ever tasted mushy or undercooked beans, you know. You want beans to remain plump and shapely with a soft and creamy center. For that perfectly tender bite, bay leaves are a helpful addition.
• Add flavor. Bay leaves make beans more enjoyable by infusing them with a subtle, yet satisfying herbal and earthy flavor.
• Minimize Discomfort. If you love beans, but dread feeling overly full or bloated after eating them, that is more than enough reason to try adding bay leaves to the mix! Food should taste and make you feel good, so enjoy tender beans without worrying about the discomfort they might cause later on.