Best bean recipes

Isabella Keeling - Deputy health editor

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Whether you have cans of butter beans, black beans, kidney beans or cannellini in the back of the cupboard, we have inventive ways to cook with them

Try using butter beans in a curry, black beans in veggie tacos, kidney beans in a classic chilli, or making healthier baked beans using cannellini.

When it comes to buying beans, it's worth spending a little bit more when you can. You'll notice the beans are better cooked and more plump.

Below, you'll find some of our favourite bean recipes. Next, check out our healthy vegan meals, best vegetarian recipes and high-protein vegan recipes.

Health benefits of beans

A nutritional powerhouse, beans are high in fibre, which means they contribute to a healthy gut and good digestion, as well as being low in fat and calories. Beans are also packed with plant-based protein, making them a great choice for vegetarians and vegans. They also contain important vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, iron, zinc and B vitamins.

Mixed bean recipes

Healthy bean salad

This colourful salad is packed with green beans, kidney beans and cannellini beans, all drizzled in a green tahini dressing. It offers a moreish way to pack in your plant-based protein.

See all our healthy salads.

Healthy bean salad with green tahini dressing

Five-bean chilli

Mixing up the beans in your chilli means you get different textures and plenty of vegan protein. Our top tip: always keep a few jars of beans in your kitchen cupboard so you can make this chilli when you need an easy, healthy meal.

We've got lots more healthy vegan ideas.

A cast iron pot filled with bean chilli with sliced avocado on the side

Butter bean recipes

Plump, creamy butter beans make a wonderful addition to fragrant curries, rich lamb dishes, our warming turmeric and ginger stew, plus healthy one-pot dishes, like our baked cod and butter beans.

Baked cod and butter beans in a casserole dish

Kidney bean recipes

Add kidney beans to our best ever chilli con carne or serve them in a rice-and-beans side alongside our punchy jerk-spiced cauliflower. Or try our chilli con carne cottage pie for a mash up of British meets Mexican.

A cottage pie topped with sweet potato mash

Black bean recipes

Black beans lend themselves well to lots of cooking; they simply become more creamy with time, making them a great choice for dishes like slow-cooked chilli. They're also a great choice for speedy dishes, like these sweet potato and black bean tacos.

Tacos featuring sweet potato, black beans and coriander salsa

Borlotti bean recipes

These are a relative of the kidney bean, so they can be used in similar dishes. They're versatile, tasty and nutritious, especially when added to our wholesome buddha bowls with shredded sprouts.

Vegan Buddha Bowl

Cannellini bean recipes

If you're a fan of tinned baked beans, then you already know these are a top-tier bean. With a subtle flavour, they work as a brilliant addition to lots of dishes. In a spicy chorizo stew, for example, or a turmeric and ginger vegan stew. Our favourite way to enjoy cannellini beans is gently braised with plenty of garlic, then topped with homemade pesto.

Cannellini beans topped with minty sauce and parmesan shards

Broad bean recipes

Broad beans are in season from April to September, and they're at their best between June and September. Their fresh flavour is a great match for zingy citrus, chilli, garlic and a number of cheeses. While you can, eat them in everything from creamy lemon, chilli and mint pasta to fried gnocchi with parma ham, ricotta and sage. Don't forget to try them mashed on toast with plenty of pecorino.

A bowl of pasta with broad beans and sliced chilli on a white linen tablecloth

Authors

Isabella Keeling - Deputy health editorDeputy health editor

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