22 ways to make beans the highlight of your meals
There’s a reason beans have been loved for generations: they’re both affordable and delicious. Easy to cook, packed with plant protein, your favorite beans are ready to star in soups, salads, or mains. And in these 22 recipes, beans always deliver.
Beef and Beans Tex-Mex Casserole
This Tex-Mex casserole is cheesy, hearty, and always a hit. Packed with ground beef, beans, and protein, it’s a filling, gluten-free crowd pleaser. Get the recipe: Beef, Rice and Beans Tex-Mex Casserole
White Bean and Ham Soup
White bean and ham soup is cozy, filling, and hits all the right savory notes. It’s a solid way to use up leftover ham and makes a great meal when you’re not in the mood to cook anything complicated. Get the recipe: White Bean and Ham Soup
High Fiber Protein Smoothie
This high-fiber protein smoothie is packed with the right balance of ingredients to keep you full and satisfied. Perfect for breakfast or a quick meal replacement. Get the recipe: High Fiber Protein Smoothie
Beans and Quinoa Baked Fritters
These crispy bean and quinoa fritters come together fast with carrots, sweet potatoes, and pantry staples. Great as a snack, side, or light meal that feels like you kind of tried. Get the recipe: Beans and Quinoa Baked Fritters
Chipotle Black Bean Dip
Chipotle black bean dip is smoky, spicy, and ultra-creamy, making every chip dunk totally addictive. It’s the perfect balance of heat and flavor to keep your snacks on point all through the movie. Get the recipe: Chipotle Black Bean Dip
Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
Here’s a legit New Orleans red beans and rice recipe straight from a Cajun. It’s creamy, loaded with bacon, smoked ham, and andouille sausage, and perfect over rice for a seriously meaty, rich meal. Get the recipe: Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
Crispy Bean and Cheese Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
Bean and cheese tacos are the easy, flavor-packed weeknight fix you need. Crispy, cheesy, and topped with a creamy chipotle sauce—ready in 30 minutes and guaranteed to disappear fast. Get the Recipe: Crispy Bean and Cheese Tacos with Chipotle Sauce
Classic Homemade Hummus
This homemade hummus is smooth, creamy, and packed with flavour. Whether dipping veggies, spreading it on a sandwich, or serving it with pita, it’s the perfect versatile snack. Get the recipe: Classic Homemade Hummus
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
This Mediterranean chopped salad is loaded with fresh veggies and tossed in a tangy homemade vinaigrette. It comes together fast and works for pretty much anything you’ve got going on. Get the recipe: Mediterranean Chopped Salad
White Bean Dip
This white bean dip with rosemary is the kind of snack that is perfect for grazing. It’s smooth, herby, and perfect with pita chips, baguette slices, or whatever you’ve got on hand. Get the recipe: White Bean Dip
Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry
This creamy coconut chickpea curry is loaded with wholesome spices and comes together in just one pot. Healthy, plant-based, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Get the recipe: Creamy Coconut Chickpea Curry
Italian Tuna White Bean Salad
This Italian tuna white bean salad, or insalata di tonno e fagioli, features fresh tuna steaks and cannellini beans. It’s a simple, flavorful Tuscan classic that makes for a satisfying lunch or a tasty side dish with Mediterranean flair. Get the recipe: Italian Tuna White Bean Salad
How To Cook Beans From Scratch
Making beans from scratch sounds like a whole thing, but it’s way easier than expected. After that first batch, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for the canned stuff. Get the Recipe: How To Cook Beans From Scratch
One-Pot Lemon Bean Soup with Parmesan and Peas
White beans simmer in a cozy, Italian-style broth until perfectly tender and full of flavor. Toss in some peas, asparagus, and a squeeze of lemon, and it’s basically spring in a bowl. Get the recipe: One-Pot Lemon Bean Soup with Parmesan and Peas
Cowboy Caviar Salad
Black beans, rice, creamy avocado, and crunchy corn all dressed in a chili maple dressing that you could drink. This cowboy caviar salad will be on repeat all summer long. Get the recipe: Cowboy Caviar Salad
Mexican Quinoa Casserole
This Mexican quinoa casserole is a one-pan dinner that makes busy weeknights a little easier. Packed with ground turkey, bell peppers, black beans, corn, and tomatoes, it’s cheesy, flavorful, and the whole family will love it. Get the recipe: Mexican Quinoa Casserole
Cilantro Three-Bean Salad
Ideal for healthy meal prep, this salad tastes better and better. You cannot get enough of protein-packed beans, crunchy veggies, and a cilantro salsa dressing. Get the recipe: Cilantro Three Bean Salad
Chickpea Cookie Bars
Chickpea cookie bars aka blondies are incredibly chewy and surprisingly sweet, with a rich, nutty flavour. Made with chickpeas, they’re a great option for a gluten-free treat that packs in a bit of extra protein. Get the recipe: Chickpea Blondies
Roasted Golden Beet Salad with Beans
This roasted golden beet salad pairs colorful root vegetables with superfood greens for a nutritious, flavorful meal. It’s simple to make, uses easy-to-find ingredients, and looks as good as it tastes. Get the recipe: Roasted Golden Beet Salad with Beans
Sheet Pan Huevos Rancheros
Sheet pan huevos rancheros is the classic breakfast you know and love, just easier and baked all in one pan. Perfect for a spicy breakfast, brunch, or even a casual dinner, it’s high on taste and low on hassle. Get the recipe: Sheet Pan Huevos Rancheros
Chickpea Curry Soup
This chickpea curry soup is the perfect cozy meal to warm you up on a cold day. Hearty, protein-packed, and full of savory flavor, it’s ready in just 30 minutes with easy ingredients. Get the recipe: Chickpea Curry Soup
Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas with Black Beans
Sheet pan quesadillas are the easiest way to make a big batch of crispy, cheesy quesadillas all at once. Packed with shredded chicken, black beans, and melted cheese, they’re perfect for feeding a crowd or busy weeknights. Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken Quesadillas