[header] How to cook northern beans [title] Soak the beans overnight in cold water, if desired. [step] 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.