What Can You Do With Dry Beans?
Whenever you’re in a supermarket, do you just pass by these bags of dry beans? Well, you might want to give them a second look because these beans actually have a range of uses. Generally, they come in various shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors which makes them perfect for a variety of recipe ideas.
Dry beans are very affordable so you really can get more while spending less. Because it is inexpensive, you can use it for any type of dish including chili, soup, homemade hummus, and more. Aside from this, they don’t contain any additives as compared to canned beans. And if you didn’t know, beans are a great source of protein as well as vitamins and minerals.
Aside from making dry beans an ingredient for your food recipe, you can actually make these into a gluten-free flour. Just get your food processor and grind the beans until it turns into a powdery-like result just like what flour is.
How To Cook Dried Beans
So now you know the uses and some benefits of dried beans, but the question now is: How do you cook them? The most common way of cooking dried beans is soaking them the night before. The benefits of the soaking method are:
- It will reduce your cooking time
- The beans will become plumper and will be cooked evenly
- Reduce the beans’ impact on your digestive system
It is ideal to store the dried beans in a cool place for at least six hours before you use them. You can put it in a bowl, fill with water, then cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap. Before cooking, make sure you drain the bowl from the water and rinse the beans well. If you don’t have use for them immediately, you can cook and freeze a big batch so you will already have cooked beans that are ready to use and consume when needed.
However, if you do not have time to wait for six hours, you can just put the beans in a pot and fill it with water, cover the pot and bring it to a boil, and let it rest in warm water for an hour. Your beans will be cooked faster this way.
Cooked dried beans have better texture and more flavor as opposed to canned beans. And again, dried beans are way cheaper than those in cans.
Lentil Recipes
Lentils are a type of beans that are low in calories, high in nutrition, low in cost, and most importantly, very tasty! Just like any dried beans, the way to cook them is by soaking them in water overnight or boiling them for an hour or so.
With that said, here are some creative and delicious recipe ideas that have lentils as the main star:
- Quick Coconut Lentil Curry
- Healthy Lentil Burgers
- Superfood Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
- Lentil Fritter Pitas With Red Cabbage Slaw
Pea Recipes
Peas, be it frozen or not, can be easily incorporated in any type of dish. Just like any other beans, peas are also inexpensive and have a lot of health benefits, particularly sources of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
Here are some creative and tasty pea recipes that you can try:
- Spring Pad Thai with Green Garlic, Asparagus, and Peas
- Herby Pea and Lemon Pasta Salad
- Pea, feta & summer herb frittata
15. How to Cook Dry Red Beans: Instant Pot
Making red beans from dry beans is quick and easy using an Instant Pot instead of going through the traditional method of soaking and slow cooking.
Check it here.
14. Veggie Lentil Soup (Instant Pot)
Who doesn’t love a hearty vegetable lentil soup? This veggie lentil soup is oil-free and whole-food-plant-based. It is full of vegetables and because it uses a soup base of vegetable broth, you can be sure it’s vegan.
Check it here.
13. Instant Pot Chipotle Peruano Beans (a.k.a. Peruvian, Canary or Mayocoba Beans)
These creamy, buttery, tender Peruvian beans are super simple, healthy and easy to make. Spiced with ground chipotle pepper powder, these pressure cooker beans are filled with a deep, smoky flavor that accommodates a variety of dishes. Peruano beans are also known as mayocoba beans, canary beans or frijoles canarios. Gluten-free, vegan and oil-free. Stovetop method included!
Check it here.
12. Instant Pot Three Sisters Soup Recipe (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
This Instant Pot Soup is my spin on a Three Sisters Soup. Three Sisters refers to a companion planting technique used for planting beans, corn and squash together. This easy, healthy and delicious version uses crookneck squash, pinto beans, sweet corn, and the beautiful flavor of sage to tie it all together!
Check it here.
11. Ham and Bean Crockpot Soup (using Leftover Ham)
This ham and bean crockpot soup is perfect for using up leftover ham from Christmas, Easter, or any occasion.
Check it here.
10. Crock Pot Black Eyed Peas with Ham Hock
These crock pot black eyed peas with ham are so quick to put together. Just like any good slow cooker recipe – just dump all the ingredients in, cook all day, then enjoy a hearty, delicious dinner with your family!
Check it here.
9. Red Bean Sweet Rolls
These Brioche Sweet Rolls filled with Red Bean Paste are a delicious and original way to include more legumes into your diet. Perfect for breakfast and your kids’ lunchbox, these Red Bean Sweet Rolls are also a great healthier sweet treat to snack on all day long!
Check it here.
8. Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry
Meatless Monday dinner is sorted with this delicious, healthy and hearty Sweet Potato and Lentil Curry. It’s an easy one-pan meal that’s ready in 30 minutes and made with pantry staples including chickpeas, tinned diced tomatoes and turmeric!
Check it here.
7. Easy Pea Salad
Easy Pea Salad – A summer salad perfect for potlucks and gatherings. Crisp green peas float alongside bacon, cheddar cheese and thinly sliced red onion in a sweet and creamy dressing.
Check it here.
6. Buffalo Chickpea Pizza
A thick spread of creamy buffalo hummus over a thin, crispy pizza crust topped with spinach, celery, buffalo-seasoned chickpeas, celery, sweet peppers, red onion, topped with mozzarella, some crumbled blue cheese and a lovely drizzle of ranch, this vegetarian pizza has a nice buffalo kick with plenty of crunch and creamy goodness.
Check it here.
5. Lentils: Types, Recipes and How to Cook Lentils
How to Cook Lentils perfectly on the stovetop, oven, and pressure cooker so that they don’t end up mushy. A nutritional powerhouse filled with protein, fiber, and minerals, learn about the most popular types of lentils, how they differ, and easy ways to incorporate more of these mini-sized legumes into your everyday cooking.
Check it here.
4. Split Pea Soup with Ham
Split Pea Soup (Snert) is a quintessential leftover ham recipe and a personal family favorite. Packed full of fiber, protein, and loads of healthy vegetables, enjoy this comforting and delicious Split Pea Soup Recipe with Ham all week long or freeze leftovers and enjoy later!
Check it here.
3. Easy Lentil Soup Recipe (How to Make Lentil Soup)
This Easy Lentil Soup is made with a combination of pantry essentials plus fresh ingredients for a versatile, delicious, year-round soup recipe the whole family will love. Learn How to Make Lentil Soup and enjoy with chunks of crusty buttered bread or homemade croutons.
Check it here.
2. The Best Vegan Chili
Here’s the best vegan chili recipe that you will find! It’s sooo easy to make, requires very simple ingredients, cheap, and delicious! Make this on cold winter days to warm yourself up, and serve it with homemade vegan cornbread.
Check it here.
1. Vegan Shepherd’s Pie
This vegan shepherd’s pie is packed with plant-based protein and incredible flavours! It’s so easy to make, and ready in under an hour. Serve this for special occasions, a wintery dinner, or pack it for lunch. Great for meal prep, and suitable for freezing.
Check it here.
20 Best Dried Beans Recipes & Lentil and Pea Recipes
Dried beans are very affordable and they don’t contain any additives as compared to canned beans. And if you didn’t know, beans are a great source of protein as well as vitamins and minerals.
Ingredients
- Quick Coconut Lentil Curry
- Healthy Lentil Burgers
- Superfood Butternut Squash Lentil Soup
- Lentil Fritter Pitas With Red Cabbage Slaw
Instructions
- Choose any dried beans recipes from the post that you like.
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best dried beans recipes and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I’m Anastasia and I’m a full-time blogger, online entrepreneur, and Pinterest marketing strategist. I help digital entrepreneurs and bloggers drive targeted traffic from Pinterest either through my online courses or through Pinterest consultancy.