Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste)

4.2
(19)
19 Reviews
9 Photos

Anko is a sweet red bean paste that's used to hold together pastries, cakes, and other desserts that come from Japan. Store cooled anko in a covered container in the refrigerator.

By Allrecipes Member
Updated on January 23, 2025
Tested by
Allrecipes Test Kitchen
Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen
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closeup of a dollop of Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste) with mochi in the background
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Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
1 hr 55 mins
Total Time:
2 hrs
Servings:
8
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 8 servings

  • 1 cup dried red beans

  • 1 ½ cups white sugar

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Ingredients gathered to make Anko.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  2. Place beans in a saucepan and cover with 2 cups water; bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.

    Beans placed in a saucepan with water, coming to a boil.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  3. Drain beans and transfer to a clean saucepan.

    Beans drained and transferred to a clean saucepan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  4. Cover with 2 to 3 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, adding more water as needed, until beans are soft and can be crushed between your fingers, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

    Beans simmering until they can be crushed with your finger.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  5. Drain beans and return to the saucepan. Add sugar and set over medium-high heat.

    Beans drained and sugar added to saucepan.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  6. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar melts and beans form a loose, shiny paste, about 10 minutes.

    Cook until sugar melts and beans form a paste.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

  7. Immediately transfer paste to a container to cool.

    Bean paste transferred to a container to cool.

    Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
44 home cooks made it!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

222 Calories
0g Fat
51g Carbs
5g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Calories 222
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 51g 19%
Dietary Fiber 6g 20%
Total Sugars 38g
Protein 5g 11%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 37mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 325mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

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