How long do red kidney beans take to cook?

For red kidney beans, patience is key, just like in meditation. First, soak them overnight, that's very important for digestion and reducing cooking time. Then in a pressure cooker, it usually takes about 6-8 whistles. On a stovetop, it can be much longer, an hour or more, simmered gently till they are soft and creamy. It’s a nourishing meal.

You MUST soak them overnight, seriously. If you do that, then in a pressure cooker, it's about 7-8 whistles on medium heat, maybe 20-25 mins. If you try to cook them without soaking, good luck, it'll take ages and still might be hard. Soaking is non-negotiable for rajma.

Kidney beans are good for diabetes, high in fiber, so I include them. Always soak them overnight. Then, for me, 6-7 whistles in the pressure cooker make them soft enough. Boiling on stovetop takes too long and uses more fuel. Make sure they are properly cooked and soft to digest, otherwise it can cause gas.

Okay, so for efficient cooking and nutrient absorption, definitely soak kidney beans for 8-12 hours. Then, in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, they'll usually be done in 20-30 minutes (after pressure is reached). On a stovetop, post-soaking, allow 1 to 1.5 hours. It’s worth the prep for that protein boost!

See, for rajma, first thing is always soak them, minimum 6-8 hours. If you forget, then do hot water soak for 2-3 hours. After soaking, in a normal pressure cooker, it takes 6-7 whistles. If you try to boil them in a pot, it will take at least 1.5 hours, sometimes more, and use more gas. Pressure cooker is best for efficiency.