Canned beans are a pantry staple for many home cooks. They are convenient, affordable, and shelf-stable. However, plain old canned beans can get boring after a while. So how can you jazz up canned beans to make tasty new dishes? There are lots of easy ways to turn boring beans into exciting meals!
What are some quick and easy ways to dress up canned beans?
Here are some quick answers for easy ways to jazz up canned beans:
- Add savory seasonings – Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and smoked paprika are all great options.
- Sauté aromatics – Sauté onion, garlic, peppers, etc. before adding beans.
- Change up the liquid – Replace some of the can liquid with broth, wine, or beer when heating.
- Toss with fresh herbs – Cilantro, parsley, basil, and chives all pair well with beans.
- Splash with acid – A squeeze of lemon or lime juice brightens up the flavors.
- Blend it up – Purée beans with broth for a quick bean dip.
- Add cheese – Sprinkle shredded cheese over heated beans.
- Stir in veggies – Mix in fresh or roasted veggies like corn, spinach, or diced tomatoes.
- Top with crunchy toppings – Toasted breadcrumbs, tortilla strips, fried onions, etc.
- Drizzle with oil – Good olive oil adds richness.
As you can see, with just a few extra ingredients and seasonings, you can take canned beans from bland to brilliant!
What are some flavorful bean salad recipes?
Bean salads are a great way to turn canned beans into a light, flavorful dish. Here are some tasty bean salad recipes to try:
Southwestern Black Bean Salad
- Black beans
- Corn
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Lime juice
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Olive oil
Mediterranean White Bean Salad
- Cannellini beans
- Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Kalamata olives
- Feta cheese
- Oregano
- Red wine vinegar
- Olive oil
Thai Curry Chickpea Salad
- Chickpeas
- Red bell pepper
- Carrots
- Green onions
- Cilantro
- Thai red curry paste
- Lime juice
- Coconut milk
The possibilities are endless! Play around with different beans, veggies, herbs, and dressings.
What are some hearty bean soup recipes?
Soups are another great way to use up canned beans. Here are some stick-to-your-ribs bean soup recipes:
Classic Minestrone
- Navy beans
- Onion
- Carrots
- Celery
- Tomato
- Spinach
- Pasta
- Parmesan
- Basil
- Vegetable broth
Spicy Black Bean and Chorizo Soup
- Black beans
- Chorizo sausage
- Onion
- Garlic
- Chicken broth
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
White Bean and Kale Soup
- Navy beans
- Onion
- Carrots
- Kale
- Vegetable broth
- Parmesan
- Smoked paprika
Soup is a great way to use up beans along with other vegetables, seasonings, grains and more.
What are some ways to use beans in dips, spreads and sandwiches?
Beans make a fantastic base for dips, spreads, and sandwiches. Here are some tasty ideas:
Bean Dips
- Black bean dip – Blend black beans, garlic, lime juice, cumin.
- White bean dip – Blend cannellini beans, garlic, rosemary, olive oil.
- Hummus – Blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil.
- Refried bean dip – Blend pinto beans, onions, garlic, cumin.
Bean Spreads
- Smash chickpeas with garlic and olive oil for bruschetta.
- Mash white beans with olive oil, lemon, and basil as a sandwich spread.
- Purée lentils with tahini, lemon, and garlic for a wrap filling.
- Blend pinto beans with salsa and spices for nachos or tacos.
Bean Sandwiches
- Falafel pita – Chickpea fritters with veggies and tahini sauce.
- Veggie burger – Smashed beans and oats grilled as a patty.
- BLT – With smashed white beans instead of mayo.
- Sloppy joe – Lentils sautéed with tomato sauce and spices.
Beans make a tasty, protein-packed filling for sandwiches, pitas, wraps, and more!
What are some simple main dishes featuring beans?
Beans can star in main dishes as well as sides. Here are some easy bean-based mains:
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas
Sauté onions and pinto beans. Place bean mixture and cheese between tortillas and grill until crispy.
Black Bean Enchiladas
Fill corn tortillas with black beans, cheese, and enchilada sauce. Bake until hot and melty.
White Bean Shakshuka
Simmer white beans in a spicy tomato sauce. Top with poached eggs.
Lentil Bolognese
Sauté lentils with tomatoes, garlic, herbs and red wine. Toss with pasta.
Chickpea Curry
Simmer chickpeas in an aromatic coconut curry sauce. Serve over rice.
Beans make a hearty, budget-friendly foundation for all kinds of delicious main dishes.
What are some creative ways to use beans for snacks and appetizers?
Beans aren’t just for main meals – they also make fantastic snacks and appetizers. Get creative with beans by:
- Roasting chickpeas with spices for a crunchy snack
- Frying refried bean balls for a poppable appetizer
- Blending white beans into a creamy spinach dip
- Baking bite-sized bean frittatas in a muffin tin
- Stacking tortilla chips with bean salsa and guacamole
- Skewering seasoned pinto beans for a portable protein bite
- Cutting baked falafel rounds into mini appetizer bites
Beans are endlessly versatile, so have fun experimenting with beans for snacking!
Conclusion
As you can see, canned beans can be transformed into all kinds of delicious dishes beyond just plain old beans on the side. With creative seasoning, mixing and matching, blending, and baking, the possibilities are practically endless! Beans are an affordable, nutritious staple that can be used in soups, salads, dips, main dishes, sides, snacks, and more. So don’t leave beans languishing in the back of your pantry – jazz them up and enjoy their versatility and flavor!