How to Cook Mung Beans

Isabella Cannon

| 1 min read

Medically reviewed by Shanthi Appelo, MS, RD

Mung beans are small legumes that are a great source of plant-based protein, amino acids, antioxidants and nutrients. The beans have a slightly sweet taste and are sold fresh, as sprouts or as dried beans.
While mung beans are typically encased in a green husk, you can also find them split in half with the husk removed, which is referred to as moong dal. Moong dal will have slightly less dietary fiber and cook faster than whole beans. Mung beans are a popular addition to curry, soup and salad. Cooking mung beans is quick compared to other larger bean types, so soaking is not required before cooking.

How to Cook Mung Beans on the Stovetop

Total Time:

30 minutes

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cooking Difficulty:

Easy

Serving Amount
Ingredients

  • 1 cup water or broth

  • 3 cups mung beans

  • salt or seasonings, if desired

Instructions
  • Step 1

    Before cooking, sort through the mung beans and remove any twigs or shriveled beans. Then, rinse them under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer.

  • Step 2

    Fill a large pot with water or broth and cook on high heat. Use a 3:1 ratio of cups of water or broth to cups of mung beans. Add salt to the pot according to preference and health needs or mix in other spices if desired.

  • Step 3

    After bringing the mixture to a boil, cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the mung beans simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender. Take a bean and press it gently between your fingers. If it mashes easily, the beans are cooked

  • Step 4

    Drain the beans one more time using a colander or stainer. Once you are ready, season them before serving or use them in a recipe as desired.

How to Store Cooked Mung Beans

Mung beans should be refrigerated within two hours after cooking and can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for three to five days. For long-term storage, they can be frozen for up to six months.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Related:

Hungry For More

Food

How to Cook Butter Beans

Food

How to Cook Orzo

Food and Recipes

These Seasonal Holiday Dishes Are Packed with Antioxidants

dark covered dates
Food

How to Cook Wild Rice

About
Privacy
Contact

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.