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What are the best ways to make beans less gassy?

Posted on 8/20/26 at 2:45 pm
Posted by cbree88
South Louisiana
Member since Feb 2010
11224 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 2:45 pm
I love a good plate of homemade red beans and rice, but I don’t like the stomach aches and feeling like a balloon afterwards.

I’ve heard that there’s ways to make the beans cause less gas. Do any of them actually work well, or is it all BS?
Posted by DeoreDX
Member since Oct 2010
4413 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 3:07 pm to
Discard the water that you soaked the beans in.
Posted by SidetrackSilvera
Member since Nov 2012
2955 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 3:10 pm to
My roman empire obsession is that there was never a tradition of red beans and rice on Mondays only until John Folse did a studio deal on PBS and floated that theory. Had never heard that mandate before that day. We ate red beans on whatever day my dad had off to cook, and he never mentioned it being a Monday meal or not. Also, restaurants have served red beans every GD day my whole life. In summation, I do not subscribe to the red-beans-on-Monday theory. I also enjoy the gas after.
Posted by sjmabry
Texas
Member since Aug 2013
19177 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 3:29 pm to
I've heard soaking in baking soda.
Posted by KosmoCramer
Member since Dec 2007
80929 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 3:34 pm to
Beano
Posted by ConnectTheDots
Member since May 2026
266 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 3:39 pm to
Everybody knows you gotta take one bean out of the bag so the total number of beans is 239.
This post was edited on 8/20/26 at 3:40 pm
Posted by Stadium Rat
Metairie
Member since Jul 2004
10271 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 5:57 pm to
There's a Mexican spice called epazote that is supposed to reduce gas. Also, Beano is supposed to work, too.

Discarding the soak water is a must for me because I add salt to the water. It's supposed to help the skins cook at the same rate as the interior of the beans, so you don't wind up with a bunch of blown out skins floating around in the pot.
This post was edited on 8/20/26 at 5:58 pm
Posted by HeyCap
Member since Nov 2014
1126 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 6:19 pm to
quote:

Discard the water that you soaked the beans in.

This should be a no brainer to get rid of some of the PHA but even more important is boiling the beans (in fresh water) for no less than 10 minutes. I am surprised by the number of people that cook red beans in nothing but a slow cooker.
Posted by WillieD
Lafayette/BR
Member since Apr 2014
3426 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 7:06 pm to
Instapot for 1.5hrs and I sauté sausage, trinity in there. I wont do it any other way.
Posted by ruzil
WNC
Member since Feb 2012
18495 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 7:32 pm to
You have to be very precise in counting your beans when putting them into the pot.

Only put 239 red beans into the pot. If you put one more, it becomes too farty.
Posted by Missouri Waltz
Adrift off the Spanish Main
Member since Feb 2016
1796 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 8:47 pm to
quote:

I also enjoy the gas after.

This. There is great satisfaction in bringing tears to the wife's eyes and making her gag.
Posted by Doctor Strangelove
Member since Feb 2018
3514 posts
Posted on 8/20/26 at 10:09 pm to
“best ways to make beans less gassy?”

Ear plugs
Posted by StringedInstruments
Member since Oct 2013
21195 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 10:03 am to
Discard the soaking water.

But the best way is to eat more of them.

I try to get at least 35g of fiber every day. Ever since I started hitting that number regularly, no vegetables--beans or whatever--cause those problems.

Build up to it slowly though. If you're getting on average 10g/day, do a week of 15, then a week or two of 20, and so on.
Posted by Junkyard Hog
Arkansas
Member since Aug 2019
471 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 10:45 am to
When my boys were little I was able to get them to eat beans by telling them to think of beans as ammo instead of food.
Posted by cbree88
South Louisiana
Member since Feb 2010
11224 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 11:04 am to
quote:

This. There is great satisfaction in bringing tears to the wife's eyes and making her gag.




Hopefully she gets you back sometimes.
Posted by Burt Reynolds
Monterey, CA
Member since Jul 2008
25039 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 11:08 am to
quote:

When my boys were little I was able to get them to eat beans by telling them to think of beans as ammo instead of food

Lmao, imma use that
Posted by RichJ
The Land of the CoonAss
Member since Nov 2016
6376 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 12:22 pm to
quote:

best ways to make beans less gassy?


Never cook more than 239 beans. One more would be too-farty…

I’ll see myself out…
Posted by X123F45
Dictated not Read
Member since Apr 2015
30275 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 12:55 pm to
quote:

epazote


Works.

The other option is to add a very small amount of amylase, too much and you'll have a pot of sugar.
Posted by Bayou Warrior 64
Member since Feb 2021
1271 posts
Posted on 8/21/26 at 2:39 pm to
Bean-o........

Seriously, try taking a good probiotic regularly. Might provide 'balance' to you.
Posted by sheepshead
Ft Pickens Road
Member since Nov 2024
63 posts
Posted on 8/22/26 at 7:49 pm to
Stringedinstruments recommended eat more of them. This is the answer. I eat beans daily and never have gas from them.

When was in Australia back in the 90s as a young Marine, was served baked beans at breakfast in the chow hall. Never was huge fan of baked (sugary) beans, but the I liked the concept and now have beans (or peas or lentils) for most breakfasts. Cooked with a bit of Sausage is a most excellent way to start the day.
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