Beans and Grain Recipes

Old-school big-batch chili with whole beef roast, soup bone, cooked pinto beans, and a hit of Mexene chili powder and cumin. Slow-simmered for deep beefy stock and tender chunks.

Indian mixed vegetable cutlets with seven vegetables, chickpeas, nuts, and garam masala, coated in poppy seeds and fried in ghee. A crispy, spiced vegan snack.

A quick, thrifty potato and bean pie: kidney beans and tomatoes under a mashed potato top, baked until golden. A 40-minute vegetarian bake from pantry staples.

These plant-based sausages taste great, contain no added fat except the vegetable oil they're fried in, and are easy to make. These ingredients yield fairly mild sausages; after you've tried them, adjust the seasonings to please your palate.

Hearty beef chili with kidney beans, tomato sauce, and red pepper flakes cooked in a Dutch oven. Topped with Monterey Jack cheese and packed with garlic and celery.

Cuban-style black beans simmered with sofrito of onion, bell pepper, garlic, and cumin. Vegan, gluten-free, and the foundation of frijoles negros y arroz.

Rice and kidney bean salad with sauteed celery, red wine vinegar, and a touch of sugar. A simple, budget-friendly side dish served at room temperature or chilled.

Hearty cabbage soup with stewing beef simmered into a rich broth, then loaded with tomatoes, green beans, carrots, and a whole head of chopped cabbage. A filling one-pot meal.

Pinto bean casserole topped with a cayenne-spiked cornmeal pone crust made with yogurt instead of butter. Southern comfort that's hearty, budget-friendly, and nearly vegan.

Slow cooker beef chuck roast simmered all day with black-eyed peas, carrots and green chiles, finished with a hit of hickory liquid smoke. Set it and forget it for 9 to 10 hours.

Cumin-spiced black beans simmered with sauteed onion, garlic, and lemon juice, served over brown rice or whole wheat couscous. A budget-friendly, protein-packed vegan meal.

Turkey nachos layer seasoned refried beans, cumin-spiced turkey with green chilies, and melted Monterey Jack over crisp corn chips. A clever way to use leftover holiday turkey.

Ham and cheddar casserole over French-cut green beans with a homemade white sauce, hard-cooked eggs, and crushed herb crouton topping. A weeknight one-dish dinner in 40 minutes.

Hobo hike lunch for kids with canned tuna, baked beans, and an orange tied in a bandana. A zero-cooking outdoor adventure meal that doubles as a fun activity.

Vegetarian Mexican pizza with a homemade cornmeal crust, taco sauce, chili beans, bell pepper rings, and melted Monterey Jack. A pantry-friendly Tex-Mex pizza built in 40 minutes from scratch.

Chicken in fermented black bean sauce made entirely in the microwave with garlic, ginger, sherry, sesame oil, and chili paste. A Chinese takeout favorite ready in 30 minutes.