I prefer the no-soak method of canning beans, because it is easier and faster, plus you can judge how many jars you will need based on the amount of dry beans. A pound of beans is about one cup, which would be two pint jars of canned beans. Also I feel that soaking the beans allows them to get too soft and mushy after canning. When I use the no-soak method, I feel they turn out just right for the recipes that I use them in.