Beans are Easy at Costco

Sprouted Bean Trio bag

Everyone is telling you to eat more beans, including the USDA, American Cancer Society and American Heart Association.  That’s because they’ve got all the good stuff (fiber, protein, minerals) and none of the bad stuff (cholesterol, saturated fat).  They also happen to be tasty, filling, and cheap!  But often, when I recommend beans to clients, they cite preparation time as a barrier.

So I was thrilled to come across a new product at Costco that makes beans a little easier.  truRoots Sprouted Bean Trio is a mix of sprouted lentils, adzuki, and mung beans.  Of course, canned beans are always a smart choice as well, but this product is much lower in sodium.

Unlike most dried beans, to prepare this mix you just combine it with water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.  No pre-soaking required!  Then, simply simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat, and let stand with the lid on for about 10 minutes.  (While the front of the bag boasts that they’re “ready in 15 minutes”–5 to cook and 10 to stand– I found they needed about 10 minutes of cooking for an ideal texture.  So I made it 10.  Either way, they’re ready fast.)

Nutrient content per 1/3 cup dry (which bulks up to about ¾ cup cooked):

160 calories, 0.5 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 10 mg sodium, 27 g carbohydrate, 11 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 11 g protein, 40 mg calcium, 1.8 mg iron

They’ll be ready in a jiffy.

I used them recently in my Red and Green Rice and Beans recipe and was quite happy with the convenience and novelty of cooking dry beans from scratch so quickly.

What healthy product have you discovered at the big “bulk” buying stores?

Kristine Duncan

Kristine Duncan, Registered Dietitian

I’m a Registered Dietitian, the author of Veg Girl RD, and a vegetarian who loves to eat. I’m a nutrition nerd who teaches at the University of Washington and Skagit Valley College. I also write about nutrition professionally for magazines and books. If you want to know more, check out my About page.

4 thoughts on “Beans are Easy at Costco”

    1. Hi Carol. I wrote this post early last year, and I must say I haven’t seen their products at Costco the last few times I’ve been there. There is a “where to buy” page on the company website for TruRoots here: http://truroots.com/where-to-buy/. I’m not sure where Henerson is, but it looks like all the stores on their map are in the midwest. They do offer an online option for purchase, too. Best of luck to you in finding your beans!

  1. I’m looking for the recipes from the back of the bag. I saved the bag, but now I cannot find it. If you still have the bag, could you take a pic of the back of the bag for me, please? 🙂

    1. I totally would! But I wrote the post a long time ago and don’t have the bag anymore. I wonder if you could find a pic of the bag online? Maybe even Costco’s website.

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