
Is it bad to eat canned beans?
One can of canned beans can contain up to 25% of the recommended daily intake of salt (570 mg). Canned beans are safe to eat and provide many health benefits. Nevertheless, there is a low risk that canned foods may be a source of excess salt, nitrates, nitrites, and heavy metals that may pose human health risks.
Can I substitute dried beans for canned?
To substitute dried beans for canned beans in slow cooker recipes, soak the beans and then add 1.5 cups of soaked beans per can of beans in the recipe. Soaking the beans reduces their cooking time and helps with digestion. You can soak the beans overnight or in boiling water.
What to do with too many cans of refried beans?
- Remove the container from the freezer and place in the fridge to thaw for several hours or overnight.
- Once thawed completely, the beans may look a little dried out or pale.
- Simply pour in a bit of water or oil to moisten, then stir to combine.
- The beans should return to their regular consistency and the flavor should not be affected.
What Bean is used in commercially canned baked beans?
– Most commercial canned baked beans are made using haricot, also known as navy, beans. BAKED BEANS & SUGARCanned versions of baked beans can contain a lot of added salt and sugar and this is the main reason I wanted to make my own. .

What to add to beans from a can?
Toss drained/rinsed/dried beans with a bit of olive oil (or avocado oil) and your favorite seasonings. You can add crushed whole seeds (coriander, cumin, fennel, mustard, etc.), woodsy herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage), red pepper flakes, crushed garlic cloves, and of course salt and pepper.
How do you use canned beans?
10 Ways to Use BeansMake hummus and dip: Turn leftover chickpeas into hummus, black beans into a creamy dip, or pintos into a cheesy bean snack.Put them on toast: Avocado toast might have been the trendiest toast of the last decade, but pantry cooking is all about bean toast.Stir them into soup: White bean soup!More items...•
What can I add to canned beans for flavor?
How to make Kicked-Up Canned Baked Beans:Bacon.Onion.Molasses.Spicy brown mustard (can substitute yellow mustard)Worcestershire.Brown sugar.Ketchup.A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for a touch of tanginess is optional and not shown.
Can you cook canned beans in the can?
Although you can technically eat beans straight out of the can, even low-sodium varieties can be quite salty, so it's a good idea to drain and rinse them before eating them or cooking with them (unless a recipe specifically says otherwise).
What can you eat with canned beans?
Toss your beans (we prefer pinto or black beans) with some Tex-Mex spices and salsa or canned tomatoes with green chilies. Pair that with other burrito favorites like rice, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, and fresh veggies like corn or lettuce. Stuff everything in a whole-wheat tortilla and dinner is ready.
What happens if you don't rinse canned beans?
1. Not rinsing the beans first. Open any can of beans and the first thing you'll notice is the thick, goopy liquid that surrounds the beans. Not only is this liquid extra starchy, but it's also usually full of sodium.
How do you jazz up a can of black beans?
Seasonings: To really add a lot of flavor, I mixed in some ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika and salt. Lime Juice: Add in some lime juice at the end to add a touch of acidity that compliments the rich flavor of the beans and seasonings. Cilantro (Optional): This is one of my favorite garnishes to use.
Are canned beans healthy?
They are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, and other essential nutrients, such as folate and potassium. Despite the potential for contamination, canned beans are generally safe to consume and prove to be a convenient and nutritious alternative to dried beans.
Do you need to cook canned beans?
Canned beans are already cooked. They cost a little more than dried beans, but are still a great buy because they are fast and convenient. Just remember to rinse them first to wash away some of the sodium (salt) or buy canned beans with no added salt.
How do you heat up beans from a can?
Pour the can into a small pot (without draining or rinsing), and heat on the stove over medium-low heat with a lid on, stirring/shaking frequently. This is pretty common, even for just heating beans to be eaten.
Do you drain canned beans for chili?
Too much liquid will thin your chili The same holds true for using canned beans in chili. According to Taste of Home, you should typically drain canned beans before adding them to your pot of chili. All that liquid can seriously water the chili down, diluting all its flavors.
What is the liquid in canned beans?
One note: The liquid in all canned beans is a mixture of water, salt, and the starch released from the beans themselves. The salt acts as a preservative to keep the beans tasting fresh, which means the liquid is generally very, very salty.
Do canned beans need to be cooked?
Canned beans are already cooked. They cost a little more than dried beans, but are still a great buy because they are fast and convenient. Just remember to rinse them first to wash away some of the sodium (salt) or buy canned beans with no added salt.
What is the best way to cook beans?
Place beans in a large pot; cover with fresh water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until beans are tender but firm. Most beans will cook in 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the variety. Periodically, try a taste test or mash a bean against the side of the pot with a fork or spoon.
How can I use beans instead of meat?
Mix and Match Beans for Meaty Textures Pair smaller bean varieties with larger ones and vice versa, and use equal amounts of cooked beans (by volume or weight) to replace the meat. Reduce cooking time to under an hour: Beans don't require as much simmering as meats do.
Is canned beans healthy?
They are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, and other essential nutrients, such as folate and potassium. Despite the potential for contamination, canned beans are generally safe to consume and prove to be a convenient and nutritious alternative to dried beans.
Quickpea Curry
This colorful curry is a nice change of pace for a busy weeknight. I like to substitute fresh peas for frozen when they're in season. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
Spaghetti & Meatball Skillet Supper
I developed this one-skillet spaghetti and meatball dish to cut down on cooking time on busy nights. The beans, artichokes and tomatoes bump up the nutrition factor, while the lemon and parsley make it pop with brightness. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Mexi-Stroni Soup
If you're a fan of classic minestrone but love bold Mexican flavors, this soup's for you! It's pumped up with spices, veggies, and pasta for a filling bowl of fun. —Darlene Island, Lakewood, Washington
Healthy Greek Bean Dip
This crowd-pleasing appetizer is healthy to boot! Folks will love to eat their veggies when they can dip them in this zesty, fresh alternative to hummus. —Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma
Texas Chili Fries
The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls
Growing up, I bonded with my dad over chorizo and eggs. My fresh approach combines them with grits and black beans for this chorizo breakfast bowl. Add a spoonful of pico de gallo for extra pop. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Chicken Pizza
My fun twist on typical pizza is an excellent way to use up leftover pesto. And since it’s loaded with protein-rich chicken and black beans, it’s hearty enough to satisfy everyone! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Getting bored with the basics? Check out these baked beans recipes that help you add more to this BBQ classic
Getting bored with the basics? Check out these baked beans recipes that help you add more to this BBQ classic.
Barbecue Chicken Tostadas
Lots of my recipes (just like this one) start out as fun ways to use leftovers. My kids love tostadas, so this day-after-cookout dinner was a big hit. —Lauren Wyler, Dripping Springs, Texas
Baked Bean Chili
Who says a good chili has to simmer all day? This zippy chili, with a touch of sweetness from the baked beans, can be made on the spur of the moment. It’s an excellent standby when guests drop by. Served with bread and a salad, it’s a hearty dinner everyone raves about.—Nancy Wall, Bakersfield, CA
Sweet N Sour Beans
This recipe is popular on both sides of the border. It came from a friend in Alaska, then traveled with me to old Mexico, where I lived for 5 years, and is now a potluck favorite in my Arkansas community. It's easy to keep the beans warm and serve from a slow cooker. -Barbara Short, Mena, Arkansas
New England Bean & Bog Cassoulet
When I moved to New England, I embraced the local cuisine. My cassoulet with baked beans pays tribute to a French classic and to New England in one hearty, heartwarming dish. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Four-Bean Medley
This side dish always gets compliments. It’s easy to make ahead and simmer in the slow cooker, so it’s super convenient to take to potlucks and church get-togethers. —Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York
Ranchero Supper
This hearty dish is fast and easy to fix after a busy workday. We like to use hickory and bacon baked beans and serve it with fruit or a green salad for a complete meal. —Karen Roberts, Lawrence, Kansas
Jamie's Minestrone
This veggie-forward soup combines onions, celery, carrots, canned kidney beans, canned green beans, spinach, and zucchini. Top it all off with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil and serve with crusty bread .
Garlic Green Beans
If you're looking to doctor up your beans with a few simple ingredients, look no further than this 5-ingredient recipe. A whole head of garlic adds intense flavor to two cans of green beans.
Best Green Bean Casserole
This casserole is definitely in the Thanksgiving hall of fame (it has over 750 5-star ratings), but don't limit your enjoyment to just the holiday season. The best part? It only calls for four ingredients — three of which come from a can.
Three Bean Salad
Looking for the perfect last-minute potluck addition? Put that can of green beans to use in this cold salad that should be made ahead of time and refrigerated to allow the flavors to meld.
Ground Beef Vegetable Soup
This budget-friendly soup is a great way to sneak in some vegetables among all that savory beef and tasty broth. "My husband who is afraid of vegetables ate this up fast!" says reviewer BETTYWANNABE .
Venison Italian Soup
Here's another meat and vegetable soup similar to the previous recipe, but with venison instead of beef. "Served with mozzarella-garlic bread, makes a great meal on a cold winter day," says recipe creator Joelene Craver.
Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans
These sweet and savory baked beans are loaded with all different types of canned beans, including wax beans, green beans, lima beans, black beans, barbeque baked beans, and chili beans, as well as pork sausage.
Slow-Cooked Southwest Chicken
This dish needs just 15 minutes of prep, so you'll be out of the kitchen in no time. The delicious low-fat chicken gets even better with a garnish of reduced-fat sour cream and fresh cilantro. —Brandi Castillo, Santa Maria, California
Grilled Bean Burgers
These juicy veggie patties have major flavor with cumin, garlic and a little chili powder. They hold their own against any veggie burger you‘d buy at the supermarket. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey
Mexican-Inspired Chicken Soup
This zesty soup is loaded with chicken, corn and black beans in a mildly spicy red broth. As a busy mom of three young children, I’m always looking for dinner recipes that can be prepared in the morning. The kids love the taco taste of this easy soup. —Marlene Kane, Lainesburg, Michigan
Corn and Black Bean Salad
This colorful, crunchy black bean and corn salad is chock-full of easy-to-swallow nutrition that all ages will love. Try it with a variety of summer entrees, or as a wholesome salsa! —Krista Frank, Rhododendron, Oregon
Black Bean and Corn Guacamole
Head to any Mexican restaurant and we guarantee you’ll see this combo on the menu. The bright colors and contrasting textures make black beans and corn fun additions to guacamole. For extra flavor, grill the corn first.— Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Sweet Potato Skillet
One of the first things my husband made for me was a variation of this chicken sweet potato skillet. Over the years, it has become a family favorite. Top with cheese, sour cream, avocado, lettuce or anything else your family likes. —MacKenzie Wright, San Antonio, Texas
Smoky Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
My hearty, delicious, nutrient-packed vegetarian dish is amazingly healthy. Everyone I’ve made it for has loved it—even carnivores! I always make two batches and freeze one. You’ll want to eat this every week! —Elizabeth Lindemann, Salem, Massachusetts
1. Spicy Vegetarian Pinto Bean Chili
Calling all chili lovers! This chili is a great option when searching for recipes with canned pinto beans as it’s both easy and packed with flavor. You can customize the spice level to your preference, and with all the hearty pintos, you’ll never even miss the meat.
2. Mexican Rice And Cantina Beans
Everyone knows rice and beans go together like peanut butter and jelly, so why not play to the strengths of the canned pinto beans hanging out in your cupboard? This recipe takes a classic pairing to a new level with fresh ingredients and lots of yummy spices, making it a must for every Mexican night. Serve them with fajitas, quesadillas, or just about any Mexican dish for the perfect pairing..
3. Salsa Pinto Beans
If you’re looking for a new game-day dip and you happen to have some canned pinto beans lying around, look no further than these salsa pinto beans. They are fast, easy, and delicious, making them a perfect solution to the ‘what to make with canned pinto beans’ dilemma. Just chop an onion and some cilantro, mince some garlic, combine your salsa and pintos, heat it all together, and you have a new Superbowl snack for life..
4. Simmered Pinto Beans
Side dishes don’t have to be complicated, but they need to support and complement the main event. These simmered pinto beans check both of those boxes. All you need is one pot, some canned pintos, a bell pepper, an onion, some pantry staples, seven minutes, and voila! This will be among your favorite recipes with pinto beans from now on.
5. Ham Hock And Beans
A close second to rice and beans is ham and beans. The beauty of this recipe is that it delivers all the flavor and texture of a slow cooker ham and beans dish in only 90 minutes. Don’t waste time wondering what to do with canned pinto beans when you can emulate a savory crockpot meal in less than half the time. Garnish with jalapenos, pair with sweet cornbread, and relish every bite..
6. Vegan Pinto Bean Soup
Soup doesn’t have to be full of dairy and meat to be delicious. This vegan soup is a favorite on the list of recipes with pinto beans. The onion, green pepper, and tomatoes give the dish a fresh-from-the-garden nuance, and the chipotle peppers in adobo bring the heat. Top your pinto bean soup with avocado or green onion, and serve alongside vegan quesadillas..
7. Perfect Baked Beans
We know canned baked beans are an easy cookout go-to, but this recipe will teach you both how to make homemade baked beans and how to cook canned pinto beans at the same time. Ingredients like brown sugar, dijon mustard, paprika, and bell pepper, just to name a few, add something special to this traditional dish. The signature sauce ties the hearty pintos and savory bacon together in a simple but flavorful way that leaves you wanting more..
4. Flavor Maple Syrup
Add vanilla flavor to maple syrup by adding in a few spent beans. You'll get that hint of flavor, which is so perfect for drizzling over pancakes or waffles.
5. Make Vanilla Powder
Another ingredient that I absolutely love is vanilla powder. It has an intense flavor and the specks of vanilla seeds throughout is so pretty. Make your own by drying out vanilla pods and then grinding them in a small spice grinder or food processor.
6. Make Vanilla Simple Syrup
While you're simmering water and sugar together to make simple syrup, just toss in the used pods to make DIY vanilla simple syrup. This mixture is great to stir into iced coffee, iced tea, or cocktails.
7. Make Vanilla Salt
Sure, it might sound weird but that hint of vanilla flavor in salt is super tasty. Just toss a few vanilla beans in a container with kosher salt or sea salt, but be sure to label the container. You wouldn't want to mix up the vanilla salt for sugar!
8. Make Vanilla Sugar Body Scrub
If you're in need of some pampering, try out this moisturizing vanilla sugar body scrub. Blend together dried out vanilla pods with a little sugar until combined. Mix that in a bowl with more sugar (do not blend-you don't want all of the sugar to become powdery). Slowly mix in enough oil until it feels like wet sand.
