Beans are a delicious and nutritious staple food that make their way into many of our favorite dishes. Whether you’re looking for a healthy source of protein, a flavorful side dish, or just a tasty snack, there’s a type of bean to suit any occasion. Here’s a look at the top seven types of beans that are popular in American cuisine.
1. Black Beans
Black beans are a small, oval-shaped bean that has a mild, earthy flavor. They’re an excellent source of protein and fiber, and they’re often used in Mexican, South American, and Caribbean dishes. To prepare black beans, rinse and sort them before soaking in water for several hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Serve as a side dish, or use in tacos, burritos, soups, and stews.
Black Beans Recipe
- 1 cup of dried black beans
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
- Rinse and sort the beans.
- Soak the beans in water for several hours.
- Drain and rinse the beans.
- Add the beans and 2 cups of fresh water to a pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Season with salt and serve.
One cup of cooked black beans contains about 245 calories, 15 grams of protein, 45 grams of carbohydrates, and 15 grams of fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Black beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Try using them in tacos, burritos, soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and more. They’re also delicious when served as a side dish with rice, quinoa, or other grains.
2. Pinto Beans
Pinto beans are a small, oval-shaped bean that has a creamy texture and mild flavor. They’re a popular choice for chili and refried beans, and they’re also a great addition to soups, stews, and salads. To prepare pinto beans, rinse and sort them before soaking in water for several hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Serve as a side dish, or use in tacos, burritos, soups, and stews.
Pinto Beans Recipe
- 1 cup of dried pinto beans
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
- Rinse and sort the beans.
- Soak the beans in water for several hours.
- Drain and rinse the beans.
- Add the beans and 2 cups of fresh water to a pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Season with salt and serve.
One cup of cooked pinto beans contains about 245 calories, 15 grams of protein, 45 grams of carbohydrates, and 15 grams of fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Pinto beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Try using them in tacos, burritos, soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and more. They’re also delicious when served as a side dish with rice, quinoa, or other grains.
3. Kidney Beans
Kidney beans are a small, kidney-shaped bean that has a mild, earthy flavor. They’re an excellent source of protein and fiber, and they’re often used in chili, soups, and stews. To prepare kidney beans, rinse and sort them before soaking in water for several hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Serve as a side dish, or use in tacos, burritos, soups, and stews.
Kidney Beans Recipe
- 1 cup of dried kidney beans
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
- Rinse and sort the beans.
- Soak the beans in water for several hours.
- Drain and rinse the beans.
- Add the beans and 2 cups of fresh water to a pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Season with salt and serve.
One cup of cooked kidney beans contains about 225 calories, 15 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbohydrates, and 15 grams of fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Kidney beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Try using them in chili, stews, soups, casseroles, salads, and more. They’re also delicious when served as a side dish with rice, quinoa, or other grains.
4. Navy Beans
Navy beans are a small, oval-shaped bean that has a mild, earthy flavor. They’re an excellent source of protein and fiber, and they’re often used in soups and stews. To prepare navy beans, rinse and sort them before soaking in water for several hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender. Serve as a side dish, or use in soups, stews, casseroles, and salads.
Navy Beans Recipe
- 1 cup of dried navy beans
- 2 cups of water
- 1 teaspoon of salt (optional)
- Rinse and sort the beans.
- Soak the beans in water for several hours.
- Drain and rinse the beans.
- Add the beans and 2 cups of fresh water to a pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
- Season with salt and serve.
One cup of cooked navy beans contains about 255 calories, 15 grams of protein, 47 grams of carbohydrates, and 15 grams of fiber.
Serving Suggestions
Navy beans are incredibly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes. Try using them in soups, stews, casseroles, salads, and more. They’re also delicious when served as a side dish with rice, quinoa, or other grains.
5. Great Northern Beans
Great Northern beans are a large, white bean that has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. They’re an excellent source of protein and fiber, and they’re often used in soups, stews, and casseroles. To prepare Great Northern beans, rinse and sort them before soaking in water for several hours. Once soaked, drain and rinse the beans, then add them to a pot with fresh water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1-2 hours, or until the beans are
