How To Incorporate Beans Into Your Meals

We've all heard about the budget-friendly wonders of beans, and despite rising food costs, they remain an affordable staple. I'm happy to share with you some of my favorite bean recipes and meal ideas, hoping to inspire you to incorporate these versatile legumes into your meals.

Home Canned Beans: A Staple in My Pantry

I'm a big advocate for home-canned beans. They're not only convenient but also incredibly easy to pressure can, making them perfect for those new to canning. I recently covered this topic in a video, which I've included here for you to check out. While dried beans are a great option (just remember to soak them), having canned beans readily available is a game-changer for me.

Some Bean Inspiration:

1. Bean Burgers: A great vegetarian alternative to meat burgers. Mashup beans with spices, bread crumbs, and an egg (or a flax egg for a vegan option) to bind them, then pan-fry or bake.

2. Bean Salad: Mix beans with chopped veggies, a vinaigrette, and herbs for a refreshing side dish. Chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans are all excellent choices.

3. Hummus: While traditionally made with chickpeas, you can experiment with other beans like white beans for a smooth, creamy spread perfect for dipping or spreading on sandwiches.

4. Bean Tacos or Burritos: Use beans as a filling for tacos and burritos, along with rice, cheese, salsa, and guacamole. They're a great protein source and can be seasoned in so many ways.

5. Bean Casserole: Combine beans with a grain like quinoa or rice, vegetables, cheese, and a sauce. Bake until bubbly.

6. Beans and Greens: Sauté your favorite greens (like kale or spinach) and add cooked beans for a simple, nutritious side or main dish.

7. Rice and Beans: A staple dish in many cultures, you can vary the seasonings and types of beans and rice for endless variety.

8. Stuffed Bell Peppers: Fill bell peppers with a mixture of beans, rice, vegetables, and cheese, then bake until tender.

9. Baked Beans: A classic side dish, you can make them sweet or savory, depending on your preference.

10. Enchiladas: Fill tortillas with a bean mixture, roll them up, cover with sauce and cheese, and bake.
11. Bean Dip: Blend beans with spices and perhaps some cheese for a delicious dip for chips or veggies.
12. Minestrone Soup: A vegetable soup that's enriched with beans for added protein and heartiness.

I wasn’t always a huge fan of beans, but since learning how to incorporate them more regularly into our diets I’m a huge fan. There are a few tricks I’ve heard over the years for making them less gas inducing, but the one I find the most effective is soaking over night and rinsing several times before cooking with them.

I’d love to hear how you are incorporating beans into your diet!

Lots of love,

Cheslea