"Some may say this is a stretch, but I believe that when you cook beans, you're connecting with thousands of years of tradition. Your simple act links you to your ancestors and the land around you. You are safe from hunger. You are in harmony with the earth, taking care of yourself and your family and friends."
- Steve Sando
We love trying out recipes in our kitchen, especially bean recipes, because beans are gorgeous (there's so much variety to choose from), they taste good, they're healthy, they keep well, and they're affordable. The best beans come from Rancho Gordo.
You'll find references to Steve Sando and Rancho Gordo in many cookbooks and websites that talk about beans. If you're in love with beans as much as we are, there's even a bean club!
Here are 21 of the best bean recipes, made with the best beans, plus some close relatives.
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The Bean Book
If you're looking for a cookbook that is purely beans, you want The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking with All Kinds of Beans, from the Rancho Gordo Kitchen by Steve Sando with Julia Newberry.
You could have tapped your credit card on a card reader from a delivery service bringing you a bag or two of tepid prepared food, but you chose to do something more substantial. When you cook beans, you are almost playing with fire in the best sense.
If you add a pot to your barbecue while the meat is cooking, you are truly playing with fire. It's primal and it's fun, and of course it tastes like nothing you could order for delivery from your smartphone. And you did it. You've done something good and substantial. Bean People everywhere, I respect and salute you.
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Soaking Beans
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The Best Bean Recipes
Jollof Rice with Beans
A delicious West African dish, jollof rice with beans by Chef JJ Johnson is from the Migrations chapter of Black Food. If you're looking to elevate your game in the kitchen, this is the meal for you.
Cuban Black Beans & Rice
This Cuban black beans & rice includes large Ayocote Negro beans, which make for a hearty and delicious dish with an attractive presentation.
Gallo Pinto
This gallo pinto, a Costa Rican rice and beans dish, touches on human desire with the origin of spices while using the relationship between movement and cognition for teaching time.
Pizza Beans
Not a substitute for pizza but rather a head-turning alternative, these pizza beans give us a delicious way to get in our lima beans (and they're not your average limas).
Orca Beans & Greens Soup
I wouldn't exactly call this SeaWorld, but it's still a good time. This orca beans and greens soup, made with these gorgeous 'orca' beans, has the superfoods you need to power through. With some freshly grated cheese on top, you can't pick a better soup recipe for the week.
Pasta e Fagioli
An Italian favorite, pasta e fagioli, zuppa di pasta e ceci, is the best pasta and beans dish. It's a variety of beautiful beans & delicious pasta you can raise a family on.
Eggs & Beans in Purgatory
Do you find time alone in the kitchen heavenly, or is it more like hell on Earth? When I've got kids at home with the fever (literally runnin' hot), it gets wild in here.
Eggs & beans in purgatory feels like the perfect dish.
Siena-Style Ribollita
On a day where you just want something warm and comforting, it doesn't get any better than soup. Siena-style ribollita, with onions, celery, carrots, and kale, is a good one.
Rajma
Rajma is a stewy bean dish that feels and tastes like the perfect bean dish. Don't be surprised by what comes next.
Loaded Nachos
These loaded nachos are made with homemade rajma and shredded cheddar cheese. They taste like the best vegetarian chili cheese nachos you've never had.
Masala Veggie Burgers
If you want these veggie burgers with masala to make you holla, you can add your own Tamarind Chutney, made with apple butter. It's the perfect combo of spicy and sweet. Butter and grill your buns to support this tasty burger.
Chili sin Carne
This chili boasts hearty Ayocote Morado heirloom beans as a substitute for meat. You won't find any tomatoes here either, but you will find plenty of zucchini and corn.
Easy Bean Soup with Sauerkraut
This hearty bean soup with sauerkraut, also known as iota, thick with borlotti beans, cured pork sausage, and pancetta, brings warmth and comfort to your table. Don't be surprised if it puts some magic in your step too!
Healthy Mashed Potatoes
These healthy mashed potatoes skip the heavy cream in favor of split peas, white beans, and seeds. Learn an authentic Ukrainian recipe for easy mashed potatoes as well as what to pair with them.
Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas are easy to find in any hospital or restaurant salad bar, and they're affordable whether you purchase them dried or canned. This salad is the best chickpea salad recipe I've ever tried, and the kids like it too. Trust me, I've had quite a few.
3 Sisters Bean Stew
Three sisters bean stew consists of three different types of beans, along with some vegetables, cooked in a flavorful broth. This dish holds much significance in Native American Cuisine.
Refried Beans
This refried beans recipe is simple to make, and you can even sneak in a bit of a workout if you like. Or pass the fun on to the kids.
Tacos Dorados
Tacos dorados are popular Mexican street tacos that are fun for the whole family to make. They can be customized to include your favorite fillings and toppings. If that isn't a dream come true, I don't know what is.
Beef and Bean Tostadas
These beef & bean tostadas boast squash, beans, beef, and fresh herbs. You can even make your own tostadas.
Enfrijoladas
These enfrijoladas are similar to enchiladas. A creamy sauce of Mayan Red Beans and Ayocote Negro Beans covers the lightly fried tortillas stuffed with queso fresco and red onion.
Mooncakes
It never ceases to amaze me what you can accomplish with black-eyed peas. Vietnamese mooncakes are traditionally made with mung beans. However, we've found that black-eyed peas make an excellent substitute with these elegant sweets.
Close Relatives
Hoppin' John
Sea Island Red Peas bring the color to this Hoppin' John experience. Noah and Katalina made this celebratory dish, traditionally served on New Year's and most definitely worth the wait.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
These stuffed bell peppers are all about healthy living and knife practice. The filling is composed of lentils, and mashed potatoes combined with jalapeño, shallot, cilantro, and ginger. Pull out your favorite knives and practice your chopping and trimming skills.
Red, orange, or yellow bell peppers are recommended for this recipe, but you can bring your favorite color to the table. The result is a healthy work of art that tastes incredible.
Rice & Lentil Soup
This rice & lentil soup from Italy, made with lentils, prosciutto, tomatoes, and rice, will satisfy you for the whole afternoon.
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