From creamy butter beans to nutty garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) to hearty cranberry beans, beans offer a myriad of textures and flavors that can serve as the stars of a dish as well as the perfect side scene stealer.
Whether they’re canned or dried, beans belong as a staple in your pantry because of their versatility and their many health benefits. A great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and iron, beans are good for your heart, gut and liver. And what we especially love about beans is how easy it is to incorporate them into any meal.
Whether you’re looking for a light salad, a comforting and hearty dish or a classic side, these recipes have you covered.
Braised Cranberry Beans
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftover beans, they are particularly good mixed with a bit more olive oil, high-quality canned tuna and some diced red onion. In fact, that combination is so good, you might consider making a double batch of the beans.
Lemon Beans
These are great atop a mound of greens, with or without some smoked fish or nice tuna, garden tomatoes and some pickled onions. The dressing is built in, but a drizzle of ranch is extra nice!
Recipe from Edible Bozeman
White Bean & Spanish Chorizo Salad
Alongside the chorizo, the sherry vinaigrette brightens the heavier flavors of the salad. Serve the salad with a grilled pork chop or grilled fish like grouper or salmon on top.
Recipe from Edible Rio Grande Valley
Bean & Feta Spread
This dip-like spread is a great way to use up the last of a pot of cooked beans. Spread it on sandwiches or as an appetizer with crunchy cruciferous vegetables.
Recipe from Edible Boston
Crispy Bean Cakes
Eat these alone as snacks, on salad greens, with eggs or topped with grilled squash. This recipe uses bolita beans because they are creamy in texture and a little sweeter than pinto beans.
Recipe from Edible New Mexico
Baked Beans
A classic summer side with bacon, molasses, mustard, sugar and vinegar. Watch the top caramelize and you know it’s ready to serve!
Recipe from Edible OKC
Two Bean Pasta Salad
This light, refreshing and hearty salad features green beans and chickpeas to make the traditional pasta salad a little more substantial as a meal in itself.
Recipe from Edible Sarasota
Frijoles de Mantequilla
Butter beans have a comfort food feel but are quite healthy and easy to execute. Start with dry beans. Canned beans will work in a pinch, but starting from dry will yield the best texture.
Recipe from Edible Inland Northwest
