9 Surprising Ways to Use a Can of Beans -

Looking for surprising ways to use a can of beans? Beans are a versatile, flavorful, and nutritious food often found in pantries all over the world. However, most people are unaware of the many different ways they can use a single can of beans to create some delicious dishes. Here are 9 surprising ways you can use a can of beans:

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Check out these Surprising Ways to Use a Can of Beans

1. Make Hummus

What better way to use up that can of chickpeas than to make hummus? Simply blend up the chickpeas with lemon juice, garlic, salt and tahini and you have yourself a rich and creamy dip perfect for chips or vegetables.

2. Add Protein to Salads

For an even healthier salad, add some kidney beans or black beans straight from the can into your bowl! This adds protein as well as flavor and texture to your salads.

3. Use for Baked Goods

Beans make for an excellent ingredient in baked goods such as brownies and muffins! Just blend them up until smooth before adding them into the batter. This is also a great way to sneak some extra nutrition into your favorite sweet treats!

4. Stir-Frys

Stir-frys are always quick and easy when you have a few cans of beans on hand! Throw together whatever veggies you like with some soy sauce and toss in your favorite kind of canned bean for an even heartier meal.

5. Make Chili

Use that can of kidney beans or black beans as part of your chili base! Canned beans make it simple to put together this classic dish without having to worry about soaking dry beans overnight first!

6. Create Bean Burgers

You can use canned or cooked dried beans alike to create veggie burgers that will satisfy even the biggest carnivores! All you have to do is mash up your favorite type of bean until it’s creamy enough before adding in any seasonings and binding agents like oats or egg yolks. Form these into patties and cook them until golden brown for a tasty burger alternative!

7. Soups & Stews

A great way to beef (or bean!) up any soup or stew is by throwing in a couple cans’ worth of white navy beans or cannellini beans. These will thicken up any broth while also giving it more flavor and texture!

8. Tacos & Burritos

Add some refried black beans on top of tacos or burritos for an extra dose of protein as well as taste, plus, it’s super easy since it just comes right out of the can ready-to-eat without much preparation needed at all!

9. Make “Meatballs”

Veggie meatballs are surprisingly delicious when made with canned lentils – simply mash them up until mostly smooth before shaping them into balls (or logs if making sliders) then baking or frying them until golden brown! Great served over pasta, in sandwiches, wraps…the possibilities are endless with these little gems!

FAQs for Using Beans in Recipe

Q. What are beans?

A. Beans are a type of legume that includes soybeans, lentils, chickpeas, black-eyed peas, and other varieties. They are an inexpensive source of protein, fiber, and several essential vitamins and minerals.

Q. How do I prepare beans for cooking?

A. Beans should be rinsed and picked over for any debris before cooking. Depending on the type of bean, you may need to soak them in water overnight or quick-soak them in boiling water for a few minutes before using them in recipes.

Q. Can I use canned beans instead of dried?

A. Yes, canned beans can be used instead of dried in recipes. However, it is important to rinse the beans before using them to remove any added salt or preservatives.

Q. How much liquid do I need when cooking beans?

A. Generally speaking, you should include enough liquid when cooking beans so that they are completely covered by two inches of liquid. This will ensure that the beans are cooked evenly and thoroughly.

These nine recipes prove that canned beans really are versatile ingredients deserving more credit than they get sometimes! Whether you choose to include them in main dishes, baked goods, salads, or even tacos, there are so many ways you can transform ordinary canned foods into something special that the whole family will love, all from one small (but mighty!) can of beans!

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Other than these 9 surprising ways to use a can of beans, what are some recipes you’d add to this list?

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9 Surprising Ways to Use a Can of Beans