How do you make canned beans taste nice?

Canned beans can be a quick, convenient and nutritious staple to have in your pantry. However, many find the flavor of canned beans to be underwhelming or metallic tasting. The good news is there are several easy ways to make canned beans taste delicious!

Why do canned beans have a metallic taste?

Canned beans undergo a high-heat canning process that often leaves them with a dull, tinny flavor. This is due to the beans being cooked inside the can, causing them to absorb some of the metallic taste. Other factors like the variety and age of the beans, and length of time in storage can also affect the flavor.

Do you have to soak canned beans before cooking?

No, canned beans are already fully cooked and soaked during the canning process. So there is no need to soak them before use. Simply drain and rinse the beans to remove any excess sodium or liquid.

However, soaking canned beans can help freshen up their flavor by hydrating them again. Overnight soaking allows the beans to reabsorb moisture, resulting in a less metallic taste.

Seasoning and Flavoring Canned Beans

The good news is a few simple tricks can transform the flavor of canned beans and make them taste great. Here are some easy ways to make canned beans tasty:

Use aromatic ingredients

Add aromatics like garlic, onions, herbs and spices when heating up canned beans. The flavor will infuse into the beans, masking any metallic tastes. Try ingredients like:

– Garlic
– Onion
– Shallots
– Celery
– Carrots
– Bay leaves
– Fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, oregano, basil
– Spices like cumin, chili powder, paprika, curry powder

Sautéing the aromatics in a bit of oil first helps intensify their flavor before adding canned beans.

Use acidic ingredients

Bright, acidic ingredients help balance out the brothy flavor of canned beans. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. Or use vinegars, tomatoes or ingredients like:

– Lemon/lime juice
– Vinegars: apple cider, red wine, sherry, balsamic
– Tomatoes – fresh or canned diced tomatoes
– Hot sauce or chili sauce
– Wine
– Tamarind paste or sauce
– Fresh salsa

The acidity amplifies flavor and helps cut through the metallic taste.

Boost umami

Umami-rich ingredients enhance savoriness and flavor. Add these when cooking canned beans:

– Dried mushrooms
– Tomato paste
– Anchovy fillets or anchovy paste
– Worcestershire sauce
– Marmite or Vegemite
– Miso paste
– Soy sauce or tamari
– Sautéed mushrooms
– Nutritional yeast

A tiny amount of these umami bombs punches up the depth of flavor in canned beans.

Use salty seasonings

The right amount of salt balances and enhances other flavors. Canned beans often already have a lot of sodium from the canning liquid. But you can round out the flavor with:

– Kosher salt or sea salt
– Finely grated parmesan cheese
– Cured meats like bacon, ham, sausage
– Olives
– Capers
– Pickles
– Soy sauce or tamari
– Fish sauce
– Miso
– Anchovies

A sprinkle of saltyseasonings gives canned beans a savory boost.

Include sweet ingredients

A touch of sweetness balances the flavors and adds complexity. Try adding:

– Brown sugar
– Honey
– Maple syrup
– Caramelized onions
– Roasted bell peppers
– Carrots or roasted sweet potato
– Barbecue sauce
– Ketchup or chili sauce
– Jams/preserves
– Dried or fresh fruit like raisins, dates, apples
– Orange or pineapple juice

Use healthy fats

Cooking canned beans with rich, flavorful fats helps coat them and impart taste. Saute with olive oil, butter, bacon fat, coconut oil or:

– Extra virgin olive oil
– Coconut oil
– Avocado oil
– Ghee (clarified butter)
– Lard or bacon fat
– Nut oils like walnut, hazelnut or pecan

Briefly sautéing canned beans helps them absorb these flavors. Beans also develop a creamier texture when cooked with fats.

Simple Ways to Cook Canned Beans

Once you have flavored and seasoned them, there are easy ways to turn canned beans into delicious bean dishes:

Bean salads

– Toss beans with chopped veggies, greens, and a tangy vinaigrette.
– Add beans to a grain-based salad with quinoa, farro or rice.
– Make a bean and pasta salad with olives, tomatoes, feta cheese.

Soups and chilis

– Purée beans into creamy bean soups.
– Add beans to minestrone, lentil or vegetarian chili.
– Make white bean chicken chili or black bean turkey chili.

Sides and dips

– Mash beans into dips and spreads to use with veggies, pita or crackers.
– Make baked beans, seasoned with smoky flavors.
– Sauté beans with garlic and greens for a quick side.

Tacos, bowls and burritos

– Use beans as a taco filling along with salsa and avocado.
– Make burritos and bowls topped with beans, rice, cheese, etc.
– Mix beans into enchilada casseroles or burrito bakes.

Vegetarian mains

– Make bean and vegetable stuffed peppers or zucchini boats.
– Use beans in place of meat in dishes like chili, tacos, etc.
– Purée beans into bean cakes, patties or fritters.

Tips for Cooking Canned Beans

Follow these tips for tasty canned beans every time:

– Always drain and rinse canned beans before use. This removes excess sodium and liquid.

– Flavor the cooking liquid. Replace all or some water when cooking beans with broth, wine, tomato juice, etc.

– Season generously with herbs and spices when heating. Beans absorb flavors well.

– Cook beans in a flavorful sauce. Simmer in marinara, barbecue sauce, salsa, etc.

– Sauté beans in olive oil and aromatics first. This adds lots of extra flavor.

– Undercook slightly when adding to recipes. Beans will continue to soften as they cook.

– Mash a portion of beans to thicken chili, soup and dips. Adds great texture.

– Roast or air fry canned beans to crisp them. Tosses these crunchy beans into salads or bowls.

Recipes for Delicious Canned Beans

These flavor-packed recipes make canned beans irresistible:

Spicy Black Bean Dip

[Instructions]
1. In a food processor, pulse together the black beans, jalapeno, garlic, lime juice, olive oil and seasonings until combined but still chunky.
2. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cilantro.
3. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or fresh veggies.

Mediterranean White Bean Salad

[Instructions]
1. In a large bowl, combine the cannellini beans, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, basil and feta cheese.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic and salt and pepper.
3. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
4. Let sit 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.

Southwestern Black Bean Quinoa Bake

[Instructions]
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 2-qt baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the peppers, onions and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the black beans, fire roasted tomatoes, quinoa, corn and seasonings. Cook 5 minutes until heated through.
4. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Top with shredded cheese.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes until hot and bubbly.
6. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Conclusion

Canned beans are an affordable, convenient pantry item. While they can sometimes have a dull, metallic flavor, this is easy to correct through proper seasoning and cooking.

By draining canned beans and then sautéing them in aromatics, herbs and spices, their flavor transforms. Bright acids and salty seasonings also help balance the taste. Follow flavor-boosting tips when incorporating canned beans into salads, sides, soups and more. With a little creativity in the kitchen, canned beans can be tasty and delicious.