11 Ways to Creatively Use Your Stored Canned Beans
By: Julia Mertes, Communications Intern, The Lion’s Pantry
Many students stop by The Lion’s Pantry and pick up beans to use for their everyday meals. However, there are a variety of ways to use beans to enhance one’s meal plan.
To gain some new cooking — and baking — inspiration, check out these 11 suggestions on how to use your next load of canned beans.
1. Beans and Rice
Why not make the traditional bean dish that comes to many people’s minds? Beans and Rice may be the perfect meal for you.
2. Tacos
Beans are an easy and traditional ingredient for yummy tacos. You’ll likely want them on hand for your next Taco Tuesday dinner party.
3. Incorporate beans into your next quesadilla.
Besides your typical ingredients of cheese or chicken, consider adding beans to your next quesadilla.
Photo by Tim Toomey on Unsplash
4. Create homemade salsa or hummus.
Rather than picking up a jar of salsa or hummus at the store, try to make your own using canned beans.
Serve some homemade Black Bean Salsa with tortilla chips at your next get-together with family or friends. You could also pick up some crackers and veggies to enjoy White Bean Hummus.
Salsa is also a healthy snack to enjoy throughout the week, especially on hot days.
5. Bean-based Soups
A wide array of soups include beans — ranging from Ham and Bean Soup to Potato Bean Soup. Making soup in a Crockpot, or even on the stove, allows for easy meal planning.
Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash
6. Add some beans to your next salad for extra flavor and protein.
If you’re tired of traditional garden salads, try adding some beans to your next dish.
7. Beans on Toast
Try out the British specialty “Beans on Toast” — a typical dish eaten for quick breakfasts, lunches and dinners. This is a comfort food that can help students through the rough exam periods and long shifts at work.
Another positive about making beans on toast is the recipe yields a large amount of food. There are many recipes for this treat if you would want to elevate the dish further.
Photo by Richard Bell on Unsplash
8. Add beans to your breakfast.
If you make yourself a breakfast sandwich in the morning, why not add some beans for added flavor?
Making breakfast burritos allows for creative freedom. You can choose your ingredients and the extent you add them in. When adding egg, cheese, potatoes, and other ingredients to your burrito, consider beans as a potential addition.
You could also incorporate beans into your next omelet or egg-based dish if feeling adventurous.
9. Loaded Nachos
Whether you’re hosting a football watch party or simply want an enjoyable treat on the weekend, loaded nachos may be the quick treat for you. With quick prep and cooking time, this meal will be a go-to treat for many college students.
Photo by Deryn Macey on Unsplash
10. Use beans as a topping for your next burger.
Besides adding cheese, ketchup, mustard, lettuce or onions to your burger, consider adding some beans.
You could even make bean burgers, rather than using traditional meat-based products, following recipes as such. For vegetarians and vegans, bean burgers may be a great treat to make for summer picnics or parties.
11. Use beans in your next dessert.
Whether you want to try Black Bean Brownies or Pinto Bean Cake, canned beans may be the secret ingredient in your next favorite sweet.
We hope you enjoy the following recipe ideas and add them into your weekly meal planning. What is your favorite way to use canned beans? Share your favorite canned bean recipes with us!
