36 Delicious Dishes with Beans and Chickpeas

Beans aren't just a pantry staple; they can be a main ingredient. From black bean patties to homemade hummus, vegetarian tacos, and even brownies, beans can do so much more than just fill soups and salads!

Slow Cooker Pinto Beans

If you need to make beans from scratch and have a slow cooker, this recipe is for you! It requires readily available ingredients and minimal prep, and thanks to the slow cooker, you'll get perfectly tender beans with no extra effort. (This recipe also works with white beans.) Seasoned with warming spices and pickled jalapeños, these beans make a great side dish. Serve over rice or with warm tortillas.

BLT salad with beans

All the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich come together in a hearty bean salad. A homemade mayonnaise dressing with herbs adds a fresh touch, while crispy bacon and croutons add a satisfying crunch. This is a great way to use up your jarred bean stash for a summer salad you'll crave all year round.

Black bean burgers

Ree says, "Before I met my husband, I was a vegetarian. I don't cook many meatless dishes on our ranch, but I still love this recipe." And it's no surprise: hearty black beans, chili powder, hot sauce, and melted cheese. Yummy!

White bean soup

Ham provides the signature flavor of this hearty bean soup. Cook the beans with pork knuckle to infuse the soup with a deep, smoky flavor.

Beef and Bean Burrito

What to do with a can of refried beans? Make a burrito, of course! Ree's recipe is super quick, taking just 35 minutes.

Spicy Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili with beans stands out from the crowd—it uses a head of cauliflower! Shred the cauliflower with a grater and add it during the last 10 minutes of cooking. This chili contains all the flavors you love, plus an extra dose of nutrients!

Marinated white beans

To infuse canned white beans with flavor, we first soften garlic in olive oil. Then we add other aromatic ingredients like rosemary and lemon zest. Tossed with this flavorful oil, fresh parsley, and tomatoes, the beans can be served with almost anything. Serve them on toasted baguette slices or crackers for a quick snack, or on top of crispy vegetables (along with tuna or cooked chicken) for a quick lunch. A nice bonus: the beans will keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Calico beans

Calico beans (also known as cowboy beans) get their name from the variety of colors found in the different varieties. Here, we use three types of canned beans: white beans, dark red kidney beans, and light brown baked beans with pork. All the beans are combined and baked with bacon and ground beef in a sweet and spicy sauce, creating the perfect summer side dish for grilled meats. Calico beans are also great on their own as a main dish, topped with grated cheese and drizzled with hot sauce.

Classic hummus

Hummus is probably our favorite use for canned chickpeas. Blend it in a food processor with other ingredients from your pantry and fridge for a healthy, delicious dip or sandwich spread. It's so easy!

Beans with vegetables in broth

This cozy dish can be endlessly customized based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen. Start with one of the classic combinations, then let your imagination run wild and experiment with your own variations. No matter how you prepare them, these beans become even more delicious the next day, when they've soaked in the broth, so you won't regret making a large batch at once. Enjoy with bread or tortillas, or for a more filling meal, serve over rice with chicken or fish.

Three Bean Salad

Jeff's simple bean salad takes just 20 minutes to prepare and makes a great side dish for anything from baked chicken to steak. The combination of colorful green, red, and white beans makes the salad look wonderful.

Flatbreads with tuna, beans and olives

Even if your pantry is nearly bare, you'll likely have the ingredients for these simple and special flatbreads. The combination of sun-dried tomatoes and vinegar gives this bean pasta a tangy flavor that pairs well with a tuna and olive salad. It makes a great appetizer or small main course. It can also be spread on your favorite crackers.



We recommend

Red bean curry

Red beans are often overlooked (unless it's chili). And in vain! They're nutritious and just as versatile as more popular varieties. They also work beautifully in vegetarian curries; instead of a long list of individual spices, curry powder and pumpkin pie spice are used. Be sure to cook the onions until golden brown: this adds a rich flavor to the dish.

Pasta with white beans

When you need a quick, tasty meal from your pantry, pasta and beans are always a good option. What's so special about this hearty family-friendly dish from Giada? A bouquet of Italian flavors, including red pepper flakes, thyme, and smoked provolone or mozzarella.

Black bean soup

Ree's simple soup is based on dried beans, but it's quick to prepare thanks to a slow cooker. There's no need to soak the beans overnight—the pressure cooker does all the work.

Baked beans

You'll be surprised how delicious cannellini beans are; besides beans, salt, and pepper, you only need five ingredients.

Shawarma with chickpeas and hummus and dill dressing

Coated with spices and baked to a crispy texture, chickpeas make a perfect substitute for meat in this Mediterranean-style pita shawarma. For a "cook once, eat twice" approach, turn leftovers into a chickpea salad. Layer the chickpeas on top of vegetables and top with a hummus-dill dressing.

Refried beans

This healthy recipe is perfect for a Tex-Mex-inspired dinner. Grab a can of pinto beans from the pantry and combine them with a few common ingredients for quick, easy refried beans from scratch.

Tuscan Bean Soup

Ree transforms humble canned beans into a hearty soup by adding a few flavorful ingredients: garlic, white wine, fresh herbs, and Parmesan.

Salad with salsa and pinto beans

Canned beans become a favorite side dish (or vegetarian main course): toss them with corn, bell peppers, and tomato, then toss them with a quick dressing of garlic, lime, and chili powder.

Black Bean Brownie

No unnecessary ingredients—these brownies are incredibly soft and rich, thanks to the black beans! They've received over 100 reviews from Food Network readers, with one of them admitting, "My boys love these bean brownies even more than the traditional ones."

Italian Baked Beans

Giada makes Italian-style baked beans with pancetta, garlic, and balsamic vinegar.

Chickpea salad

The key to Rachel's salad is to cut the celery, onion, and bell pepper into equal pieces. This ensures a balanced flavor in every spoonful (and a beautiful presentation). Serve this impressive side dish with chicken or pork, or on top of salad greens.

Spicy Bean Tacos

You won't miss meat with these delicious bean tacos. Damaris uses a few vibrant ingredients for maximum flavor: cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, and roasted tomatoes.

Tuscan Bean Dip

Like hummus, this dip is easy to make with just a few ingredients. The flavor, however, is quite different. This cannellini bean version draws on Italian flavors like garlic, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Mexican Bean Casserole

Beans are rich in fiber and delicious paired with melted cheese. This easy dish, ready in the microwave in just 10 minutes, is a hit with everyone.

Bean soup with bacon

We're sure you already have most (if not all) of the ingredients for this hearty soup. However, plan ahead if you're using dried beans; they need to be soaked overnight.

Tuscan Beans with Tuna

Think you don't have anything on hand for a delicious lunch? If you have canned beans and tuna, you're in luck; you can make this quick, easy, and delicious meal.

Crispy chickpeas

You might not be accustomed to eating chickpeas as a snack—and that's a shame. Baked with olive oil and salt, they become a crunchy, delicious snack. And best of all, they're healthy!

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

Molly uses a can of black beans to fill delicious vegetarian wraps. The beans are packed with protein and fiber and pair perfectly with the Tex-Mex flavors in these burritos.

Chili with beef and three types of beans

This epic beef chili with beans makes 8 servings, perfect for when you want to make a quick lunch.

Four Bean Relish

Peppadew peppers add a vibrant pop of color to the bean salad. A few are enough for a pleasant flavor. We love Guy's colorful blend of four types of beans, but if you don't have any of them, you can use whatever you have on hand.

Beans in tomato sauce

Ree's recipe takes a while (the beans need to be soaked overnight to soften), but it's worth the wait. The smoky flavor pairs perfectly with pork loin or grilled chicken, and the beans can also be added to soup or chili for an extra kick.

Pasta with beans and bacon

Beans pair well with bacon in many dishes. Here, they're paired with tender pasta and bright, juicy tomatoes for a quick, filling dinner.

Cowboy Beans

Don't let this quick side dish fool you: these beans are incredibly flavorful thanks to the chopped chorizo ​​and jalapeño. They're sure to become a family favorite!









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