35 Anything-But-Basic Bean Recipes

Stop thinking of beans as a basic pantry staple and start thinking of them as a go-to ingredient. Black bean burgers, homemade hummus, vegetarian tacos and even brownies beans can do so much more than just bulk up soups and salads!

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Spicy 3-Bean Chili Salad

This bean salad celebrates all the bold flavors of the hot chili we enjoy during the year's colder months. Three kinds of beans are tossed with a vinaigrette made with tomato paste- and spice-infused oil (which gives the salad surprising depth of flavor). Stir a dollop of sour cream into the chilled salad to cut through some of the spiciness.

Get the Recipe: Spicy 3-Bean Chili Salad

Black Bean Burgers

Ree says, "Before I met my husband, I was a vegetarian. I don't make many meatless dishes on our cattle ranch, but I still love this one." And it’s easy to see why: hearty black beans, chili powder, hot sauce and melty cheese. Yum!

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Burgers

Navy Bean Soup

This hearty and satisfying white bean soup gets its signature flavor from the addition of ham. Cook the beans with two hocks to infuse them with a deep, smoky savoriness.

Get the Recipe: Navy Bean Soup

Beef and Bean Burritos

What to do with that can of refried beans? Make burritos, of course! Ree’s are easy to whip up on a flash they’re ready in just 35 minutes.

Get the Recipe: Beef and Bean Burritos

Cauliflower and Bean Chili

This vegetarian bean chili is head and shoulders above the rest a head of cauliflower, that is! Use a box grater to make cauliflower crumbles and add them during the last 10 minutes of cooking for a bean chili that has all the flavor you love along with an extra boost of nutrition!

Get the Recipe: Cauliflower and Bean Chili

Classic Hummus

Hummus has to be one of our favorite ways to use up canned chickpeas. Just give them a spin in the food processor along with a few other pantry and refrigerator staples and you’ve got a wholesome and delicious dip or sandwich spread. Easy!

Get the Recipe: Classic Hummus

Three Bean Salad

The perfect side dish for everything from baked chicken to grilled steaks, Jeff’s simple bean salad comes together in just 20 minutes. And, thanks to vibrant green beans, white cannellini beans and red kidney beans, it looks great, too.

Get the Recipe: Three Bean Salad

Tuna, White Bean and Olive Flatbread Pitas

Even if your pantry is close to bare, you probably have the fixin's for these super-simple and special flatbreads. The combo of sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar gives the bean spread a tangy earthiness that goes great with the tuna-and-olive salad. It's a perfect big snack or small meal. Or try the spread on your favorite crackers.

Get the Recipe: From the Pantry: Tuna, White Bean and Olive Flatbread Pitas

Pasta with Creamy White Beans

When you need a quick, satisfying meal from the pantry, the combination of pasta and beans is always a good choice. Giada’s take on this filling and family-friendly dish? Lots of Italian flavors from red pepper flakes, thyme and smoked provolone or mozzarella.

Get the Recipe: Pasta with Creamy White Beans

Black Bean Soup

Ree’s easy black bean soup recipe calls for dried beans but it cooks up fast, thanks to the use of a multi-cooker. No need to soak the beans overnight the pressure-cook cycle does all the hard work for you.

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Soup

Braised Beans

You’ll be amazed how much flavor these cannellini beans have; aside from the beans, salt and pepper, you only need 5 additional ingredients.

Get the Recipe: Braised Beans

Chickpea Shawarma Pitas with Hummus-Dill Dressing

Covered in spices and roasted to crispy perfection, chickpeas are a natural swap in these Mediterranean-inspired shawarma pitas. For a "cook once, eat twice" approach, transform any leftovers into a chickpea shawarma salad: Layer the vegetables with roasted chickpeas and top it with dollops of hummus-dill dressing.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Shawarma Pitas with Hummus-Dill Dressing

Refried Beans

This healthy recipe is perfect for your next Tex-Mex night. Grab that can of pinto beans in the back of your pantry and combine them with a few other common ingredients and you’ll have made-from-scratch refried beans in no time.

Get the Recipe: Refried Beans

Tuscan Bean Soup

Ree transforms humble canned beans into a meal-worthy soup with the addition of a few, flavorful ingredients: garlic, white wine, fresh herbs and Paremsan.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Bean Soup

Pinto Bean Salsa Salad

Turn canned beans into everyone’s favorite side dish (or a flavorful vegetarian main) by tossing them with corn, bell pepper and tomato and tossing them in a quick dressing of garlic, lime and chili powder.

Get the Recipe: Pinto Bean Salsa Salad

Black Bean Brownies

Forget the added nutrition black beans make these brownies extra rich and fudgy! They’ve been reviewed by Food Network fans more than 100 times and one fan even says, "my boys love these black bean brownies more than my traditional brownies".

Get the Recipe: Black Bean Brownies

Italian-Style Baked Beans

Giada gives baked beans an Italian twist by cooking them with pancetta, garlic and balsamic vinegar.

Get the Recipe: Italian-Style Baked Beans

Chickpea Salad

The key to Rachael’s salad is to chop the celery, onion and bell pepper evenly. That ensures balanced flavor in every bite (and an eye-catching presentation). Serve this showstopper alongside chicken or pork chops or over salad greens.

Get the Recipe: Chickpea Salad

Spicy Bean Tacos

You won’t miss the meat at all with these flavor-packed bean tacos. Damaris uses a few bold ingredients to guarantee maximum deliciousness: cumin, paprika, cayenne and fire-roasted tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Bean Tacos

Tuscan Bean Dip

Much like hummus, this bean dip comes together easily with just a few ingredients. The flavor, however, is totally different. This cannellini bean version relies on Italian flavors like garlic, rosemary and crushed red pepper flakes.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Bean Dip

Mexican Layered Bean Casserole

Beans are high in fiber and protein-and delicious layered with melted cheese. Cooked in the microwave in just 10 minutes, this is a quick, easy dish that everyone will love.

Get the Recipe: Cheesy Zucchini Tortilla Casserole

Bean with Bacon Soup

We’re willing to bet that you have most (if not all) of the ingredients to make this satisfying soup in your kitchen right now. Just be sure to plan ahead if you’re using dried beans; you’ll need to soak them overnight.

Get the Recipe: Bean with Bacon Soup

Tuscan Beans With Tuna

Think you don’t have anything on hand to make a delicious dinner? If you’ve got canned beans and tuna you’re in luck; you can make this quick-and-easy (but completely satisfying) meal.

Get the Recipe: Tuscan Beans With Tuna

Crispy Chickpeas

When you’re searching for a snack, chickpeas might not be your go-to but they should be. With a little olive oil and salt (and some time in the oven) they become a crispy, crunchy, crave-worthy snack. Best of all, they’re good for you!

Get the Recipe: Crispy Chickpeas

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

Molly uses a can of black beans to bulk up these tasty vegetarian wraps. They add protein and fiber and work perfectly with the Tex-Mex flavors she incorporates into the burritos.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos

Three Bean and Beef Chili

This big-batch, beef-and-bean chili makes 8 servings, so it’s perfect when you want to cook once and eat twice.

Get the Recipe: Three Bean and Beef Chili

Four-Bean Relish

The Peppadew peppers really make this bean salad pop. You only need a few to add a nice burst of flavor. We love the colorful, four-bean blend that Guy uses for this dish but if you don’t have them all you can use whatever you have on-hand.

Get the Recipe: Four-Bean Relish

Chili Beans

Ree’s chili beans take time (the dried beans need to be soaked overnight to soften) but they’re well worth the wait. Their smoky flavor is perfect alongside pork chops or grilled chicken and they can easily be tossed into a pot of soup or chili to add extra flavor.

Get the Recipe: Chili Beans

Beans and Bacon Macaroni

Beans and bacon pair well for more than just baked beans. Here, they’re tossed with tender macaroni and bright, juicy tomatoes for a quick and filling dish.

Get the Recipe: Beans and Bacon Macaroni

Cowboy Beans

Don’t be fooled by this speedy side dish; the beans are super flavorful thanks to diced chorizo and jalapeno. Guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Get the Recipe: Cowboy Beans

Marinated White Beans

To add flavor to otherwise basic canned white beans, we start by slowly softening garlic in olive oil. Then we add more aromatics like rosemary and lemon zest to further infuse the oil. Tossed in this fragrant bath with fresh parsley and tomatoes, the beans can be served on—or with—just about anything, including toasted baguette slices or crackers for a snack, and salad greens plus crunchy vegetables (and a can of tuna or some cooked chicken) for a fast lunch. As a bonus, the beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Get the Recipe: Marinated White Beans

Mix-and-Match Brothy Beans

These comforting beans are endlessly adaptable, thanks to easy swap-outs that rely on ingredients you already have in your pantry. Start with one of the classic flavor combinations below, then let your let your imagination go and experiment with your own variations. However you make them, the beans get better after a day or so of soaking in their cooking juices, so you'll be glad you made a big batch. Eat them with bread or tortillas-- or serve over rice, topped with a piece of cooked chicken or fish for a heartier meal.

Get the Recipe: Mix-and-Match Brothy Beans

Easy Kidney Bean Curry

Kidney beans are often overlooked (unless you're making chili). Don't pass them up! They are nutritionally dense and just as versatile as other, more popular beans. They also meld perfectly in this easy vegetarian curry, which uses curry powder and pumpkin spice as substitutes to a long grocery list of individual spices. Be sure to cook the onion until golden brown—this one step adds much depth of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Easy Kidney Bean Curry

BLT Bean Salad

All the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich come together in this hearty bean salad. The homemade herb-mayo dressing adds freshness while the crisp bacon and croutons add a welcomed crunch. It's a great way to use up those pantry beans in a summery salad you'll want to enjoy all year round.

Get the Recipe: BLT Bean Salad

Slow-Cooker Pinto Beans

If you have yet to cook beans from scratch and own a slow cooker, this is the recipe for you! It comes together with pantry ingredients, requires minimal prep and thanks to the slow cooker, you’ll be rewarded with plump, perfectly tender beans with almost zero hands-on time. (Navy beans would also work well here.) Seasoned with warm spices and pickled jalapenos, they are a great side dish. Or serve them over rice or with warm tortillas as a meal.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pinto Beans

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