Sweet Red Beans Recipe & Video
If you’ve ever tried sweet red beans in Asian desserts, you know how delicious they are! The best part? You can make them right at home with just a few ingredients. Today, I’m going to show you how to create your very own sweet red bean paste using Azuki red beans. It’s perfect for filling pastries, adding to smoothies, or even enjoying on its own!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Sweet Red Beans
To make this sweet red bean paste, you only need a handful of items:
- 220g (approximately 1 cup) Azuki red beans
- 6 cups water
- 3/4 cup to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
- A pinch of salt
Health Benefits of Red Beans
Azuki red beans are not only delicious but also super nutritious! They are high in protein, fiber, and antioxidants, making this sweet treat both tasty and good for you. These nutrients can boost digestion, improve immune function, and provide a healthy dose of plant-based protein.
Steps to Make Sweet Red Beans
1. Clean the beans
Start by rinsing the Azuki red beans under running water two to three times. This helps remove any dust or debris that may be on the beans.
2. Remove the Bitterness
Add the beans to a pot with three times the amount of water (6 cups in total). Bring the water to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. After about 15 minutes, you’ll notice the water turns burgundy color – that’s the bitterness leaving the beans. Drain the water and beans using a strainer.
3. Simmer the Beans
Now, clean your pot, add the pre-boiled beans, and pour in 3 3/4 cups of fresh water. Bring it to a boil again, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the beans simmer for about 30 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during this time.
4. Check for Tenderness
After 30 minutes, the water should have reduced, and the beans will be soft. To check if the beans are done, turn off the heat and press a few beans between your thumb and pinky finger. If they mash easily, they are ready.
5. Add the Sugar
With the beans tender and ready, it’s time to sweeten them up! Place the beans back on low heat and add half the sugar, stirring quickly. After about 10 minutes, add the remaining sugar and stir again. By adding the sugar in two stages, you ensure that the sweetness spreads evenly throughout the beans.
6. Final Simmering
Gently stir the beans occasionally to prevent them from breaking too much. Let the mixture simmer until it reaches your preferred consistency. If you use a wide, shallow pot, this process will only take about 15-20 minutes. However, if you’re using a smaller pot, it might take a bit longer.
7. Add Salt and Finish
Once most of the liquid has evaporated and the paste is slightly softer than your ideal texture, it’s time to turn off the heat. The paste will thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it’s a little softer than you’d like. Stir in a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
Sweet red bean paste has a short shelf life, so be sure to let it cool quickly and store it in the refrigerator. You can use it right away or store it in an airtight container for later. It’s delicious in so many desserts!
You can use this sweet red beans in any dessert! It’s perfect with shaved ice (Patbingsu), stuffed in mochi, or in dorayaki (Japanese pancake sandwich with sweet red beans). Try it as ang butter toast or with vanilla ice cream for a simple, delicious treat. Get creative and enjoy!
Sweet Red Beans
- Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
- Yield: approximately 2 1/4 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 220g (approximately 1 cup) Azuki red beans
- 6 cups water
- 3/4 cup to 1 cup sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Clean the beans
Start by rinsing the Azuki red beans under running water two to three times. This helps remove any dust or debris that may be on the beans. - Remove the Bitterness
Add the beans to a pot with three times the amount of water (6 cups in total). Bring the water to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. After about 15 minutes, you’ll notice the water turns burgundy color – that’s the bitterness leaving the beans. Drain the water and beans using a strainer. - Simmer the Beans
Now, clean your pot, add the pre-boiled beans, and pour in 3 3/4 cups of fresh water. Bring it to a boil again, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the beans simmer for about 30 minutes. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface during this time. - Check for Tenderness
After 30 minutes, the water should have reduced, and the beans will be soft. To check if the beans are done, turn off the heat and press a few beans between your thumb and pinky finger. If they mash easily, they are ready. - Add the Sugar
With the beans tender and ready, it’s time to sweeten them up! Place the beans back on low heat and add half the sugar, stirring quickly. After about 10 minutes, add the remaining sugar and stir again. By adding the sugar in two stages, you ensure that the sweetness spreads evenly throughout the beans. - Final Simmering
Gently stir the beans occasionally to prevent them from breaking apart. Let the mixture simmer until it reaches your preferred consistency. If you use a wide, shallow pot, this process will only take about 15-20 minutes. However, if you’re using a smaller pot, it might take a bit longer. - Add Salt and Finish
Once most of the liquid has evaporated and the paste is slightly softer than your ideal texture, it’s time to turn off the heat. The paste will thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it’s a little softer than you’d like. Stir in a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor.
Notes
- Sweet red bean paste has a short shelf life, so be sure to let it cool quickly and store it in the refrigerator. You can use it right away or store it in an airtight container for later. It’s delicious in so many desserts!
- You can use this sweet red beans in any dessert! It’s perfect with shaved ice (Patbingsu), stuffed in mochi, or in dorayaki (Japanese pancake sandwich with sweet red beans). Try it as ang butter toast or with vanilla ice cream for a simple, delicious treat. Get creative and enjoy!
- Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins
