We’re all looking for good bean recipes right now, if you look at the store shelves. It’s hard to find canned or dried beans everywhere in Chicago. I don’t know about where you are. This may have meant that Jack and I had to go to a few more grocery stores, but I’m glad to see that people are still buying beans. They’re a fantastic source of plant-based protein, fiber, and other nutrients, they keep for weeks, and they’re delicious!.
What’s more, they’re incredibly versatile. Put them on the stove with salt and pepper to make a side dish. You can also blend them to make a creamy dip or pasta sauce, put them in tacos, or bake them into a hearty vegetarian pot pie. Your options are endless, but these 25 easy bean recipes are a great place to start.
White Bean Dip: This zesty dip is easy to make if you have white beans, olive oil, and lemons. I like to add rosemary and basil to make it extra fresh, but you can use any herbs you have on hand instead. It’ll be creamy and bright either way.
Hummus 7 ingredients. 5 minutes. 1. A big bowl of creamy, smooth dip! Hummus is hard to beat when it comes to taste, texture, and ease of use.
Beans are an incredibly versatile staple ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes Though beans are delicious on their own, mixing them with other ingredients can take your bean dishes to the next level. Here are 10 delicious ways to mix up your bean recipes
Add Vegetables
One of the easiest ways to mix up a basic bean dish is to add vegetables Vegetables like onions, garlic, carrots, celery, peppers, spinach, kale and tomatoes pair perfectly with beans Try sautéing onion and garlic as a flavor base, then add diced carrots and celery for some crunch. Leafy greens like spinach or kale add nutrition, texture and flavor. Diced tomatoes add a pop of brightness. Get creative with mixing and matching different vegetable combinations.
Include Whole Grains
Beans and whole grains are a match made in culinary heaven. Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro and whole wheat pasta complement the protein in beans. Try serving beans over brown rice or quinoa for a simple, healthy meal. Or mix beans into whole grain salads or pasta dishes. Whole grains add satisfying texture and fiber.
Add Herbs and Spices
Fresh or dried herbs and spices are an easy way to add big flavor to bean dishes. Cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, basil, cilantro, garlic powder, onion powder and cajun seasoning are all fantastic with beans. Try southwest-inspired flavors like cumin, chili powder and cilantro. Or go Italian with basil, oregano and parsley. Get creative with your own signature spice blends. A blend of herbs and spices elevates beans to new heights.
Include Healthy Fats
Adding healthy fats helps balance the texture of beans and boosts flavor. Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, nuts, seeds and olives are all great options. Drizzle olive oil over beans or use it to sauté aromatics. Mash up avocado with beans for creaminess. Toss beans with toasted nuts or seeds. And olives add a briny, savory punch. Healthy fats bring out the best in beans.
Pair with Cheese
Cheese may seem like an unlikely pairing for humble beans, but it works fantastically. Sharp cheddar, feta, cotija, parmesan, monterey jack, goat cheese and blue cheese all taste great with beans. Sprinkle cheese over beans, add to sandwiches or tacos, or stir into bean dips. The creaminess and saltiness of cheese balances the texture of beans.
Serve Over Lettuce
Turn beans into an easy salad by serving them over a bed of lettuce. Crispy romaine, butter lettuce, kale, arugula, spinach or spring mix are all great choices. Top with your favorite beans, fresh herbs, cheese and dressing for an easy yet elegant salad. Lettuce adds freshness and crunch.
Make Bean Burgers
For a satisfying vegetarian main course, turn beans into hearty bean burgers. Mash beans with eggs, breadcrumbs, onions, herbs and spices. Shape into patties and pan fry or bake. Serve on buns with all your favorite burger toppings. Beans form a fantastic base for flavorful, filling veggie burgers.
Blend into Dips
Blending beans with spices and mix-ins makes for creamy, protein-packed dips and spreads. Try blending beans with tahini, olive oil, lemon, garlic and herbs for a classic hummus. Or go southwestern with beans, salsa verde and spices. Beans also shine blended into bean dip with cheese, herbs and spices. Bean dips are endlessly adaptable.
Make Chili
What would chili be without beans? Beans are a must for adding protein, fiber and thickness to hearty chilis. Go all out with a variety of bean types like kidney, black, pinto and white beans. Spice it up with chili powder, cumin, paprika and cayenne. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, corn and zucchini make great veggie additions. Top with cheese, avocado or Greek yogurt. Beans and chili are simply meant to be.
Toss with Pasta
Pasta and beans are an easy, budget-friendly combo. Toss drained canned beans with cooked pasta shells, rotini, farfalle or macaroni. Add olive oil, parsley, Parmesan and seasonings. Or make it creamy with a dressing of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic and herbs. Pasta and beans create a simple, satisfying dish in minutes.
So there you have it – 10 delicious ways to mix up beans! From adding veggies, grains and herbs to blending into dips and pairing with pasta, beans are endlessly adaptable. Use these ideas to break out of your bean comfort zone. Have fun getting creative with mixing and matching different flavors and textures to complement the protein-packed goodness of beans. Your tastebuds will thank you.
Pasta & Bean Recipes
If you like creamy pasta, forget about mac and cheese. A can of white beans makes a bright, nutty sauce that is just as rich and creamy as one made with cheese, cream, or butter.
Vegan Pasta Salad: This bright and salty pasta salad with little navy beans is filling enough to eat by itself.
Spaghetti and Meatballs Sometimes, nothing but a homey bowl of spaghetti and meatballs will do. Smoky black bean and mushroom balls are my go-to veggie dish. I serve them over pasta with a big scoop of my own tomato sauce. Trust me, you won’t miss the meat!.
The tagliatelle with tomatoes and greens is made with canned tomatoes, pasta, carrots, shallots, and cannellini beans. It’s tangy, rich, and filling, even though it only uses a few pantry items. It’s also on page 95 of The Love & Lemons Cookbook.
Fruit and Ginger Rice Bowl: In this recipe, I change up the traditional mix of beans and rice in a big way. I dress them up with crisp veggies, creamy avocado, diced mango, and a tangy tamari-lime sauce. A scoop of pickled ginger takes it all over the top.
My favorite way to make this colorful bowl is with mung beans, but French green lentils will do in a pinch. They give this vegetable and brown rice dish some weight, and the turmeric tahini sauce gives it a big flavor.
Adzuki beans are small red beans that taste rich, nutty, and slightly sweet. They go well with brown rice and adzuki beans. You can use black beans instead of red beans if you can’t find them. They make this healthy mix of crisp vegetables, red beans, and rice stand out.
The best way to make a portobello burrito bowl is to mix black or pinto beans with chopped chipotles from a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I love to accent their smoky flavor with a scoop of sweet and spicy pineapple salsa.
Just make sure you have a grain, a vegetable, and canned or dried beans on hand at all times. They make for a quick and easy grain bowl. For a simple weeknight dinner, I mix quinoa, chickpeas, and roasted sweet potatoes together. But you could use almost any mix of grains, legumes, or vegetables. Just add a big squeeze of lemon, and enjoy!.
Bean Soups and Stews
Easy Vegetarian Chili: A classic chili made with kidney beans and tomatoes is always on my list of bean recipes. I spice mine up with adobo sauce from a can of chipotles in adobo. It’s smoky, savory, and so. darn. good!.
Creamy Potato Soup There’s no cream or dairy in this plant-based potato soup. Instead, it gets its comforting creamy texture from blended potatoes and white beans!.
Creamy Wild Rice Soup: I use white beans in this healthy soup in two different ways. I leave some whole to give the soup a hearty texture, and I blend the rest with cashews, miso paste, and Dijon mustard to make the soup’s deliciously light and creamy base.
Curried Parsnip & White Bean Soup, page 223 of The Love and Lemons Cookbook, Can you guess how this soup gets its velvety texture? Blended white beans, of course! Curried spices and apples highlight the sweet, nutty flavor of the parsnips in this simple, comforting soup.
Tomatillo Zucchini White Bean Chili, page 99 of Love and Lemons Every Day This tangy tomatillo chili is one of my all-time favorite bean recipes! It’s the ultimate white bean chili, featuring a creamy, veggie-packed broth that’s bright with lime juice.
Vertically sliced zucchini and sweet potatoes are used instead of pasta in this fun take on the classic minestrone soup. If you don’t have a spiralizer, go ahead and dice the veggies. It’ll still taste delicious!.
If you have a piece of stale bread sitting on your counter, don’t throw it away! Instead, add it to a pot of brothy white bean soup to make ribollita, an easy and healthy Italian classic.
10 Easy Bean Recipes | Best Recipe Compilation for Canned or Dried Beans
FAQ
What can I add to beans to make them good?
What do beans go well with?
What can you add to can beans?