How to Use Canned and Dried Beans

How to Store

Keep canned and dried beans in a cool, dark place. Store dried beans in hard, closed containers to protect from pests. Refrigerate cooked beans within 2 hours and use within 3-5 days. Cooked beans also freeze well.

Five Tips for How to Use

  • Blended – Blend beans into smoothies, soups, or sauces to help thicken and boost nutrition. Add blended, refried, or whole cooked beans to burritos, quesadillas or wraps.
  • Burgers – Make your own bean burgers, adding your favorite spices and herbs.
  • Dip – Make layered bean dip or hummus. For a quick and easy option, make a simple bean dip by blending beans and green olives. Look online for more creative bean dip ideas.
  • Roasted – Roast chickpeas in your favorite spices for a crispy salad topping or snack.
  • Salads – Add beans to salads for a more filling option rich in plant-based protein and fiber. Or make an easy salad of beans, corn, and chopped peppers tossed in vinaigrette.

Hints: Lentils do not need to be soaked and are a good option if preparing dried beans in a rush. To save time, consider preparing extra dry beans and freezing half for later.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chickpea “Cookie Dough” Dip

Serves: 12-24 cookies

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas (15-oz.)
½ cup peanut butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract (optional)
1-4 tablespoons milk, as needed
Salt, to taste
1/3 cup chocolate chips
Graham crackers or sliced apples, to serve

Instructions:

  1. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.
  2. Blend chickpeas, peanut butter, and vanilla extract in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add milk as necessary to help blend.
  3. Taste for flavor; add salt and blend again if necessary.
  4. Mix in chocolate chips. Serve as a dip.

Tips:

  • Try different nut butters in place of peanut butter.
  • If not sweet enough, add your sweetener of choice, such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar.

More Delicious Bean Recipes Below!

Bean Cuisine Cookbook!

Basics

Cooking Dried Beans

Cooking Beans at High Elevation Using an Electric Pressure Cooker

Tips for Cooking with Dried Beans

Chickpeas

Baked Falafel

Chickpea Waldorf Salad

Deviled Egg Chickpea Salad

Ensalada de Garbanzos (Spanish)

Garbanzo Bean Salad

Grilled Shrimp with Chickpea Puree

Hummus

Lemony White Bean Dip

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Beans and Lentils

Bean Toast

Black Bean and Millet Medley

Chili

Lentils

Lentil Curry

Olive Bean Dip

Refreshing Three Bean Salad

Red Lentil Soup with Lemon

Sopa de frijol negro y salsa (Spanish)

Southwestern Bowl

Spicy Black Bean Spaghetti Squash

Summery White Bean Salad

Desserts and Smoothies

Bean Blondies

Fudgy Peppermint Black Bean Brownies

Peanut Butter Bean Blondies

Chocolate Banana black Bean Smoothie

Strawberry Banana White Bean Smoothie