How To Cook And Prepare Lupini Beans

Italian lupini beans are a healthy snack high in protein and fiber, low in fat, and a great low-carb year-round munch.

They are also a healthy addition to charcuterie or an Italian grazing board. Read on and learn how to make, store, and use them in various dishes.

My Italian grandmother would serve tasty lupini beans, amongst other delectable things, to keep the family entertained at the dinner table long after dessert. We often put them out with mixed nuts or olives for guests to enjoy on special occasions.

This once artisanal food has become a snacking favorite in the North American market, with Brami selling them as Keto-friendly plant protein packaged snacks.

When adequately soaked, I find this unique bean oddly addictive with its crunchy and hearty texture. Hopefully, this lupini beans recipe will convince you to make them at home because preparing them is not a complicated process—it's just fresh water, salt, and beans.

But I think they're worth your time because you can make a big batch for much cheaper, and you get to play around with the flavors and toss them into other recipes as a great source of protein.

All you need is a bit of patience because it takes about 5-7 days to transform these lupini beans into an edible snack, but the actual work involved is simple and easy. Let's have a look at how to prepare them properly.

What Are Lupini Beans

If you've never heard of them, they're legumes, more commonly known as Lupins, and very popular in the Mediterranean region. Many recipes use lupini beans, but they are more widely enjoyed as a seasoned or pickled snack. They also happen to be a great protein-rich and low-carb plant-based source.

What Do Lupini Beans Taste Like

• Some would say it is neutral in taste once you've removed all the bitterness. But when adding the right amount of salt to the brine, lupini beans are deliciously buttery and slightly salty with a little crunch.
• Some like to add vinegar or spices like garlic, etc. But my family's traditional lupini beans recipe adds just salt—similar to a lightly salted nut.
• I love their texture. Even when cooked and prepared, lupini beans should be tender yet firm, almost 'al dente, taking on whatever flavors you give them.

Ingredients & Notes

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Here's what you need to make this lupini beans recipe:

• Dry lupini beans: Because it is difficult to find them in grocery stores unless they are ready to eat, your best bet is to buy them online. 
• Salt: Salt with water will create a brine solution to remove bitterness from the beans and get the right texture and taste.

How To Cook Lupini Beans

See the full recipe with measurements in the recipe card.

The short version of preparing lupini beans: Rinse and soak the beans overnight. The next day, drain and rinse. Place them in a large pot, covered with water, and simmer for 2 ½ hours on the stove. For another 4 to 7 days, drain and replace with fresh cold water twice a day—takes a few minutes—until the beans are no longer bitter. 

Let's have a look at it step by step.

Step One (Picture 1 above) - Rinsing & Sorting: Rinse the dry beans and pick out any funny-looking ones. Throw away broken or cracked ones.

Step Two (Picture 2 above) - Overnight Soaking: Pre-soak the dried beans overnight in cool water, covered. Store it in a cool, dry place. Ensure the beans are submerged in the bowl or pot of water. Soak them overnight or until ready to attend to them the next day.

Step Three (Picture 3 above) - Cooking: Drain and rinse the beans. Return them to a cleaned stockpot large enough to hold the beans and submerge them in at least 3 to 4 inches of water because they will swell during cooking. Add salt (anywhere from one to 5 tablespoons, depending on the quantity). It's more so to help rid them of the bitter taste. Once the water reaches a good 'rolling boil' on high heat, lower it to maintain a gentle simmer for about 2 ½ hours.

Note: There is really nothing to it. I keep them on the stove while doing other things around the house, checking from time to time whether the beans are still covered with enough water—add more if too much has cooked away—or the simmer hasn't become too vigorous. 

Step Four (Picture 4 above) - Soaking: After cooking, the beans will have changed to a more yellowish color and look plumper but still shriveled. Drain the beans to ready them for the soaking process. You can use the same rinsed and cleaned stockpot or a deep bowl. Whatever you have on hand that can hold the beans and enough water to cover them. Generously cover them in slightly salted water for 4 to about 7 days—or longer depending on the type of lupini bean—more on that later—replace water twice daily. 

Note: Changing the salty water will only take a few minutes, and you can use a colander to drain the beans, cheesecloth, or whatever you have on hand. Every time you change the water, you will notice some murky residue around the pot's interior. I recommend rinsing it off, cleaning the pot before adding the beans back in, and submerging them with fresh salted water.

Step 5 (Picture 5 above) - Ready To Consume:  The soaked beans will look beautifully plump and golden yellowish when ready. When they look ready after about 4 to 5 days, you can taste test a bean without swallowing it to see if any bitterness remains. If the bean is still slightly bitter, continue the rinsing, soaking, and salting process for a few more days before taste testing again. Noteworthy, there should be absolutely no bitterness.

How To Eat Lupini Beans

This part always reminds me somewhat of eating my grandmother's prepared sunflower seeds. I know it's going to sound tedious. But I promise you, once you get the gist of it, it'll become second nature, and they'll pop in your mouth fast.

• Take one, and bite into the edge of the bean to make a small tear on its skin (the outer layer).
• Then, pop the inner bean out into your mouth with your thumb and index finger and discard the skin.
• That's it!

At home, I always serve an extra empty bowl to trash the casings. 

Helpful Tips

• Equipment: Usually, when I make lupini beans, I make a big batch, so I prefer to use a big stockpot with a lid and then store it in a dry, cool place. But depending on the quantity, I've also used a large bowl covered with a clean kitchen towel. Either way will work.
• Cleaning your pot: Every time you change the water, you will notice some murky residue around the pot's interior. Always place the beans back in a clean vessel when refilling them with cold water and salt. 
• Have patience: Preparing a batch of lupini is not difficult, but it involves a few steps and a bit of patience. I'll do the initial steps during the weekend or on days I know I'll be working from home. Then, the additional soaking and rinsing need to happen only twice a day for about 4 to 7 days and can be done in the mornings and before going to bed. It might seem all a bit cumbersome, but, I promise, the actual work involved is simple.

Serving Ideas

• These prepared beans are delicious on their own and served as a snack.
• Enjoy as a popcorn substitute during movie night.
• They are a lovely addition to cheese or an Italian grazing board in conjunction with thick-crust pizza squares, fennel and cucumber bites, or savory veggie cakes—to give you a few ideas.
• Try adding your favorite herb and spices, like a tad of salt, lemon juice, and chopped parsley, to add some zing, or try adding olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.
• You can use ready-to-eat lupini beans as an ingredient in other recipes, like keto hummus, lupini bread, or cookies. I even heard of ice cream but have never tried it myself.
• Or toss some peeled beans onto a salad.

Other Recipe FAQs

Other Recipes To Serve With Lupini Beans

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Here you have it, everything you need to know to make this tasty bean, whether you enjoy it as a healthy snack or as the perfect side dish!