It's time to get cooking! Dried beans shouldn't go to waste on the shelf. Put this pantry staple to good use in these delicious soup, stew, salad and sandwich recipes.
20 Recipes Made With Dried Beans
1/20
Lentil Tacos
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband's cholesterol numbers rose, I quickly lowered the fat in our family's diet. Finding dishes that were healthy for him and yummy for our five children was a challenge, but this fun taco recipe was a huge hit with everyone. —Michelle Thomas, Bangor, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 365 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 777mg sodium, 44g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 6g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
2/20
Pressure-Cooker Five-Bean Chili
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
12 servings (3 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A hearty bowl of chili always reminds me of my mom's cooking. While I love this classic recipe, I wanted a faster way to cook the dried beans, so I decided to make it in my pressure cooker. Now we get to enjoy the same from-scratch recipe but in a fraction of the time. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 308 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 medium-fat meat.
(Or try this pinto bean chili recipe that uses dried beans!)
3/20
Classic Red Beans N Rice
Total Time
2 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After living where Cajun cooking is common, we rely on this staple dish. Even If you've never tried red beans and rice, you'll like this recipe! —Jackie Turnage, New Iberia, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 309 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 25g protein.
4/20
Chili Sandwiches
Total Time
5 hours 30 min
Servings
30 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
No one will be able to resist these special sandwiches stuffed with spicy chili. Of course, the chili also makes a wonderfully filling meal by itself. —Kerry Haglund, Wyoming, Minnesota
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 289 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 686mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 6g fiber), 15g protein.
5/20
Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A real southern favorite, black-eyed peas are traditionally served on New Year's Day to bring good luck. The bacon and thyme in my mom’s recipe make them extra special. —Ruby Williams, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 361 calories, 19g fat (7g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 228mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 11g fiber), 15g protein.
6/20
Wild Rice Salad
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This wild rice salad, developed by the Light & Tasty Test Kitchen, is twice as nice since it stars both brown and wild rice! Tangy raspberry vinegar complements the nutty flavor of the rice, while dried cranberries provide unexpected bursts of sweetness.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 343 calories, 12g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 450mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.
7/20
Brazilian Pork & Black Bean Stew
Total Time
7 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
During high school, I spent a year in Brazil and fell in love with the culture and food. One of my favorite dishes was feijoada, a chili/stew served over white rice. I introduced this easy recipe to my family, and it has become one of our favorite comfort foods. —Andrea Romanczyk, Magna, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 531 calories, 33g fat (11g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 1069mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 33g protein.
8/20
Lima Beans
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I was growing up on Cyprus, my mother would often make this side dish to have with roast lamb. Although I hated lima beans when I was a kid (who didn't?), I love them now. They always remind me of home. —Paris Paraskeva, San Francisco, California
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 326 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 209mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 16g fiber), 16g protein.
9/20
Mexican-Style Pinto Beans
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cumin, cilantro and red pepper flakes lend southwestern flair to tender pinto beans in this dish, which was inspired by one we had at a restaurant in Dallas. It makes a terrific Tex-Mex side or a filling lunch when served with cornbread. —L.R. Larson, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 162 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 536mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 7g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch.
10/20
Italian Herb-Lentil Patties with Mozzarella
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has requested this meatless recipe over and over again. It is simple to prepare and even meat lovers like it. —Geri Lucas, Oldsmar, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 patty: 416 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 517mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 9g fiber), 26g protein.
11/20
Instant Pot Baked Beans
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was under doctor's orders to reduce the amount of sodium I was eating, but I just couldn't part with some of my favorite foods. After many experiments I came up with this potluck favorite—now everyone's happy! —Sherrel Hendrix, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 238 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 347mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein.
12/20
Coconut Lentils with Rice
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago I made this recipe for my kids, and they loved it. One of my daughter's friends would always request this dish when she came over to visit. I recommend basmati rice for this dish. —Diane Donato, Columbus, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 374 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 757mg sodium, 63g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 7g fiber), 16g protein.
13/20
Chorizo and Chickpea Soup
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Chorizo sausage adds its own spice to the broth of this soup, creating delicious flavor with no need for more seasonings. And while it's cooking, the whole house smells divine! —Jaclyn McKewan, Lancaster, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 180 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 569mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 high-fat meat.
14/20
Hearty Red Beans and Rice
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I take this dish to many potlucks and never fail to bring home an empty pot. I learned about the mouthwatering combination of meats, beans and seasonings while working for the Navy in New Orleans. If you want to get a head start, cover the beans with the water and let them soak overnight. Drain them the next day and continue with step 2 as directed. —Kathy Jacques, Summerfield, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 276 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 1149mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 18g protein.
15/20
Mexican Pork & Pinto Beans
Total Time
4 hours 30 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
We've lived in Arizona for decades, so Mexican-style cooking has become the same as "Arizona-style cooking" for us. Nothing tastes better than chili-spiced pork with tortillas. —Anne Fatout, Phoenix, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without tortillas): 211 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 181mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 6g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable.
16/20
Boston Baked Beans
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a potluck or picnic, you can’t beat this classic side that starts with a pound of dried beans. Molasses and maple syrup give it a slight sweetness. —Pat Medeiros, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 385 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 810mg sodium, 77g carbohydrate (50g sugars, 8g fiber), 11g protein.
17/20
Mimi’s Lentil Medley
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I made this one summer evening by putting together what I had on hand. My husband gave it his top rating. —Mary Ann Hazen, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups (calculated without bacon): 225 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 5g fiber), 10g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 fat, 1 starch, 1 vegetable.
18/20
Chicken and Lentil Chili
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to make a simple, hearty slow-cooked recipe at least once a week. You can mix this up the night before and throw it into the crock on your way out the door. Use hotter tomatoes and chiles or salsa if you like more zing. —Laurie Stout-Letz, Bountiful, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 249 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 844mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 9g fiber), 21g protein.
19/20
Flavorful White Chili
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For a tasty twist on conventional chili, try this low-fat version. It's packed with plenty of beans, tender grilled chicken and a zippy blend of spices.
—Wilda Bensenhaver of Deland, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 384 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 1224mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 16g fiber), 34g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 3 starch.
20/20
Chalupas
Total Time
8 hours 45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chalupa recipe is such a refreshing change of pace from traditional chili. It's also fun to serve to guests. Nearly everyone who's sampled it has requested the recipe. —Ginny Becker, Torrington, Wyoming
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 393 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 680mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 8g fiber), 18g protein.