How to Cook Mung Beans?

How to Cook Mung Beans?

Want to make mung beans at home but don't know how to cook them? We're here to help. Whether you've never made mung beans before or want to try a new cooking method, this article will cover how to cook mung beans to perfection. There are several different methods for cooking mung beans, and we've tried them all. To ensure that your next batch of mung beans is the best, we've rounded up three of our favorite ways to cook this legume. Read on as we walk you through the process for each.

What Are Mung Beans?

Mung beans are a type of legume related to beans and lentils. First originating in India, today mung beans are mainly cultivated in Asia and are a staple food in South America, Africa and Australia. Mung beans, also known as green gram and moong, refer to a whole bean wrapped in a green husk. Mung beans are often sold with the husk removed, split in half and sprouted. Split mung beans, or Moong dal, cook more quickly than whole mung beans. Mung beans can also be sprouted at home and are sold in stores as bean sprouts. Bean sprouts taste great in salads, sandwiches and stir fry.

Mung Bean Nutrition

Adding mung beans to your weekly menu has several benefits. Mung beans taste great, add variety to your meals, and are highly nutritious. They are a source of dietary fiber, plant-based protein, complex carbohydrates, iron and other vitamins and minerals. Mung beans also contain essential amino acids and are low in calories, fat and sodium. For a complete nutritional overview of mung beans, check out their Nutritional Information and Ingredients. mung bean plant

How to Cook Mung Beans

Mung beans can be cooked in several wayseach method with its own benefits. Read on for a complete guide on how to make perfectly cooked mung beans every time.

Should You Soak Mung Beans Before Cooking?

Unlike other beans, mung beans do not need to be soaked before they are cooked. This is because, when compared to beans like black beans, mung beans cook much more quickly, and soaking them beforehand won't exactly speed up the cooking process. That said, many people still prefer to soak mung beans beforehand to make them easier to digest.

Rinsing Mung Beans

There are a few different ways that you can cook mung beans. However, regardless of your chosen method, you'll need to rinse the beans beforehand. Rinsing mung beans ensures that no stones, dirt, or other hidden items make it into your meal. To rinse mung beans, put them into a mesh strainer and place them under running water for 30 seconds to one minute.

Stovetop Method

The most common way to cook mung beans is on the stovetop. No soaking is required; mung beans cooked on the stove will be ready in about 30 minutes. The stovetop method is recommended for first-time mung bean cookers, as it allows you to keep an eye on the beans as they cook. Once the beans are ready, you can remove them from the heat and add them to your favorite recipes. When mixing mung beans with a cold recipe like a salad, you'll want to remove the mung beans from the stove slightly earlier to provide a firmer bite. For soups, stews and burgers, mung beans should be cooked until they are tender.

How to Cook Mung Beans on the Stove Top

  1. Place 1 cup mung beans into a pot.
  2. Cover the mung beans with 3 cups water.
  3. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat and simmer until beans are tender.

mung beans

Slow Cooker Method

Use the slow cooker method for a "set it and forget it" approach that allows you to finish some household chores as your food cooks. When cooking mung beans in the slow cooker, you'll want to use the same 1-to-3 ratio of mung beans to water. While the cook times may vary depending on the slow cooker used, the benefit of this method is that your beans will cook to perfection with minimal effort required on your end.

How to Cook Mung Beans in a Slow Cooker

  1. Add 1 cup mung beans and 3 cups water to a slow cooker.
  2. Set the slow cooker to high and cook for 3 hours. Set the slow cooker to low for a longer cook time and cook for 6 hours.
  3. When the beans are close to being done, take the lid off the slow cooker and test the beans to check for desired tenderness.
  4. Once done, remove the beans from the slow cooker and serve.

Pressure Cooker Method

A combination of the two methods above, cooking mung beans with a pressure cooker is a fast and effortless way to make them. To cook, add mung beans and water to your pressure cooker, close the lid, and wait. In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked mung beans that taste delicious in any recipe you add them to.

How to Cook Mung Beans in a Pressure Cooker

  1. Add 1 cup mung beans and 3 cups water to your pressure cooker.
  2. Stir to prevent sticking.
  3. Pressure cook on high for 3-5 minutes. (three minutes will produce cooked, firm mung beans. Five minutes will make tender mung beans.)
  4. Once cooked, allow the pressure cooker to release naturally for 10 minutes.
  5. Remove the lid, and enjoy immediately in the desired recipe.

Vegetable soup with mungbeen

The Best Method

The best way to cook mung beans is the way that works best for you. Stovetop, slow cooking and pressure cooking all have their benefits. Stick to one method, or try all three and determine which style you like best. For first-time mung bean cookers, we recommend using the stovetop method, as it allows you to monitor and determine when the mung beans are perfectly done.

Storing Mung Beans

Unopened and uncooked mung beans should be stored in their original packaging in a dry, dark and cool placelike the back of your pantry. Once the bag of dried mung beans has been opened, they will keep best if transferred to an airtight container and stored in the pantry or refrigerator. Cooked mung beans should always be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When stored properly, they will last up to five days. Cooked mung beans can also be transferred to a freezer bag and kept in the freezer for up to three months.

How to Use Mung Beans

While mung beans are a staple ingredient in Asian cuisine, it is not the only place they're consumed. Mung beans are used worldwide in countless recipes to boost nutrition, flavor and texture. Read on to discover a few of our favorite mung bean dishes.

Mung Bean Dip

If you love making homemade dips and spreads, then this recipe is right up your alley. This Mung Bean Dip is easy to make and the perfect pairing for veggies, pita chips and sandwiches. Plus, it can be prepped and made in under an hour. Just seven ingredientsmung beans, water, tahini, lemon juice, minced garlic and saltare needed to create a flavorful and healthy treat that's perfect for weekly lunches or as a game day snack.

Monggo Bean Stew

Searching for your next favorite comfort food recipe? You've found it. This Monggo Bean Stew is the ideal dish to enjoy on a night in while watching your favorite movie. In fact, It's so good we've printed the recipe on our bags of mung beans. Inspired by mongg guisado, a traditional Filipino dish, everyone in your family will enjoy this treat.

Mung Bean Sprouts

mung bean sprouts Cooked mung beans are undeniably delicious, but they're not the only way that you can enjoy this legume. Mung bean sprouts are a crunchy and refreshing treat that tastes great in salads, sandwiches and stir fryand they're easy to sprout at home. To make mung bean sprouts from the beans in your pantry, follow these simple instructions. Before making your next batch of mung beans, review the different cooking methods above. When deciding which technique is best for you, consider your cooking skills and the amount of time you have on hand. Pressure cooking and stovetop are the best options for fast, mess-free mung beans. Slow cooking is a better fit if you prefer to multitask while your food is cooking. No matter your chosen method, we're confident your mung beans will turn out delicious. From the Bob's Red Mill family to yours, have a healthy and happy day! What to learn more about mung beans and their many benefits? Check out the articles "What Are Mung Beans?" and "5 Mung Bean Benefits". Do you have a mung bean recipe that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear more about it. Share your favorite mung bean dishes with us in the comments below.  
Bob's Red Mill
September 05 2022

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