Can you use canned red beans for red bean paste?

Canned red bean paste is an acceptable product, but the homemade kind is obviously much tastier. In Chinese markets, you'll find small, plump dried red beans called _hoong dul,_not to be confused with adzuki beans, _zeck siu dul,_also small red beans that are oblong in shape. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups of red bean paste, just enough filling for Sesame Balls. Use regular brown sugar for this recipe.

Table of Contents Show

Ingredients
Reviews (2)
Korean cooking ingredients
Danpat-tongjorim 단팥통조림
What is red beans used for?
Red beans and red kidney beans, are they the same?
How to make red bean paste?
How to store red bean paste?
How long can I keep red bean paste?
Other recipe using red bean paste.
Video on How to Make Red Bean Paste
Can you use canned beans for red bean paste?
What can be substituted for red bean paste?
Are canned red beans already cooked?
Why is my red bean paste bitter?

Ingredients

Makes 1 1/2 cups

6 ounces small red beans _hoong dul,_about 1 cup

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Step 1
Wash the beans, cover the cold water, and soak overnight. Drain beans and discard water. Place beans in a 1 1/2-quart saucepan, add 3 cups cold water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour, or until very soft. Monitor the pan to make sure water doesn't dry up. Drain and discard the water.
Step 2
Place the beans in a food processor and process until smooth. Add brown sugar and process until just combined. In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the bean paste and cook, stirring 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mixture is dry. Remove from heat. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator until ready to use; it will keep for 1 week.

How would you rate Sweetened Red Bean Paste?

Reviews (2)

Made this recipe using dried adzuki beans, and turned out perfectly. Much tastier than the pre-made, packaged stuff. Heeding the other review, I slowly added the sugar, but ended up using the full half cup--maybe because of the different bean types.
I've made this recipe twice now, both times using commonly found red kidney beans. The first time, I made this as directed and the paste turned out extremely sweet. Second time I used 1/4 cup of brown sugar instead of a 1/2 cup, as directed. This was much better. Served in the middle of a bowl of brown rice congee, perfect for cold winter days, tummy aches, and general comfort all round. 3 forks because there was too much sugar as directed.

Korean cooking ingredients

Danpat-tongjorim 단팥통조림

Sweet red beans are used in many desserts and snacks in Korean cuisine. Canned sweet red beans are made from dried red beans (aka azuki beans) and can be found in Korean grocery stores, on Amazon. or make your own at home using the method described in my patbingsu recipe.

Posted on Wednesday, March 19th, 2014 at 10:19 pm. Last updated on October 28, 2021.
Tagged: azuki beans, danpat, 단팥, 통단팥, Korean sweet red bean, sweet red bean paste, sweet red beans

Sweet Red Bean Paste (Anko) is super easy to make from scratch, and its better than the store bought.

The red beans or adzuki beans is one of the most important ingredients in Asian cooking.

What is red beans used for?

As red beans have naturally sweet flavour, we tend to make them as dessert.

To name a few, we use red bean in our steam buns known as bao (or pau).
Or we cooked these red beans in sugar with mandarin peels added and enjoy as sweet red bean soup.

My favourite childhood dessert is to have soft cooked red beans in shaved iced with syrup. (which reminds me, I need to update this post!!)

I used red beans for blind baking. It is definitely cheaper than using pie weight.

Red beans and red kidney beans, are they the same?

Do not mistaken red beans to red kidney beans. These two are not the same.

Red kidney beans is bigger in size compare to red beans.
Red kidney beans has darker red colour almost crimson.

While red beans are smaller in size and brighter red.

How to make red bean paste?

Printable recipe, ingredients list and method is in the recipe card below.

1. Dry red beans

2. Rinse and wash thrice

3. Soak for at least 4 hours
I usually soak overnight.

4. Drain off water.

5. Place soaked red beans in an Instant Pot.
Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes.
Switch off Instant Pot and Natural release for 15 minutes.

6. Strain water (reserve some)
This is known as Tsubu-an or chunky red bean. Add sugar to the reserved strained water and make red bean porridge or soup, add some mandarin peel.

Point to note : I forgot to push these cooked red bean through a sieve just like when I did for Shiro-an, in my previous post. My bad!!

It will less time consuming when turning these red beans into paste.

or blend as per photo below.

7. Use a stick blender and blend till smooth to make anko or smooth red bean paste.

8. Transfer blended red bean to a pot.
Add sugar.

9. Red bean in its soupy stage.
{See my note 6 above}

10. Getting there...

12. Finally... red bean paste is ready :)

How to store red bean paste?

Store red bean paste in an air tight container.

And keep them refrigerated.

How long can I keep red bean paste?

Once refrigerated, used red bean paste within 7 days.

Place any left over red bean paste in a zip lock bag, do not forget to label and date the bag, and place in the freezer.
This should be good for 3 months.
Thaw before use.

Other recipe using red bean paste.

Steam bao
Matcha buns
Mooncakes (can substitute lotus paste with red bean paste)
Red bean ice cream

Video on How to Make Red Bean Paste

Can you use canned beans for red bean paste?

All you need is some azuki (sometimes called adzuki) beans, some water and a sweetener such as sugar. Regular grocery stores near me carry canned azuki beans which are easier to work with. If you can only find dried azuki beans then soak them over night and extend the simmering time until they are nice and tender.

What can be substituted for red bean paste?

White Bean Paste (Shiroan) White Bean Paste, or what we call Shiroan (白餡), is another common filling for Japanese confectionery such as mochi and manju. The paste has a milder bean taste, so it makes a great alternative to red bean paste if that's what you prefer.

Are canned red beans already cooked?

Canned beans are already cooked. They cost a little more than dried beans, but are still a great buy because they are fast and convenient. Just remember to rinse them first to wash away some of the sodium (salt) or buy canned beans with no added salt.

Why is my red bean paste bitter?

Unfortunately, saponins and tannins are not removed during cooking but remain in the finished products. The saponins and tannins leave a bitter and puckery taste in one's mouth when eating the red bean porridge.