Beans and Grain Recipes

Hearty soybean burgers with eggplant, oats, wheat germ, and garlic, served with a homemade mushroom tamari gravy. A from-scratch vegetarian patty with serious substance.

Unadulterated black bean soup with dried beans, ham hocks, red and yellow onion, pureed silky smooth and finished with dry sherry. A purist's approach with no spices masking the beans.

Rice salad with corn, kidney beans, and bell peppers tossed in a tangy vinegar-horseradish dressing. No-cook, vegetarian, and ready in 15 minutes flat.

White chicken chili with tomatillos, Ro-Tel, green chilies, and cannellini beans. A lighter twist on classic red chili with a bright lime finish.

Garbanzo sandwich spread mashed with salsa, lemon juice, tomatoes, cilantro, and cayenne. A five-minute, no-cook vegan spread that works on sandwiches, wraps, or as a dip.

Bean and pistou soup with white beans, chicken broth, basil pesto, and Parmesan. Five ingredients, one pot, ready in 35 minutes. A Provencal-inspired weeknight soup.

Leftover turkey and fat-free refried beans cooked with onions, bell peppers, chili powder, and sour cream, loaded into crispy taco shells with cheddar. A quick, lighter taco night that puts those turkey leftovers to good use.

Freezer-ready garden vegetable mix with cabbage, green beans, carrots, celery, corn, and peas blanched and ice-bathed for up to 6 months of easy meal prep.

Spicy spaghetti salad tosses kamut pasta with navy beans, tomatoes with green chilies, bell pepper, scallions, cilantro, and cumin. A vegetarian, no-cook-after-boiling dinner.

Lean turkey chili with kidney beans, caraway, celery seed, and a balanced spice mix. Lower-fat than beef chili but every bit as rich, simmered slow for big-batch comfort.

I originally learned this recipe that I learned from my good friend of mine from San Juan. She taught me to make beans and rice like the natives do it. Of course over the years I’ve adapted it to make it my own. The biggest benefit of this recipe is that it is high protein and high fiber. Using brown rice instead of white rice decreases the glycemic index slightly as well. I hope you enjoy!

Slow cooker chipotle beef chili with pinto and black beans simmered 12 hours in a crock pot. Smoky chipotles blended with onion and garlic give this all-day chili serious depth.

Sweet and sour pasta salad with kamut spirals, kidney and black beans, red pepper, scallions, and basil. A protein-packed vegan picnic salad that holds up beautifully for make-ahead lunches.

Quick minestrone soup ready in 35 minutes with potatoes, kidney beans, and mixed vegetables in herb-seasoned vegetable broth. Topped with Parmesan.

Thai green papaya salad (som tum) with grated unripe papaya, green beans, cherry tomatoes, and peanuts in a spicy soy-chili-lemon dressing. Served with raw cabbage leaves for scooping.

One-pot rice and black beans with garlic, carrots, thyme, and allspice simmered in stock. Low-fat, filling, and topped with cool yogurt and fresh parsley.