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How to cook northern beans
Soak the beans overnight in cold water, if desired.
Rinse 1 pound (453 g) dried great northern beans or as many dried great northern beans as you like and place them in a large bowl. Pick out any shriveled or irregular beans and discard them.
Pour enough cold water into the bowl to cover the beans by at least 2 inches (5.1 cm). Soak the beans overnight at room temperature.