Bean Recipes: 25 Ways to Cook Beans for the 2027 Bean Boom

Beans are one of the big food trends forecast for 2027, and for good reason: they're cheap, filling, high in protein and fiber, and good for the planet. Here's how to cook them so they're genuinely delicious, not just virtuous.

Tinned vs dried

• Tinned: convenient; rinse to remove excess salt and the starchy liquid (or save chickpea liquid, aquafaba, for baking).
• Dried: cheaper and often creamier. Soak overnight (or quick-soak: boil 2 minutes, rest 1 hour), then simmer with aromatics until tender. Salt the cooking water; it seasons the beans.
• Red kidney beans must be boiled hard for at least 10 minutes when cooking from dried, to destroy a natural toxin; slow cookers alone may not get hot enough.

Creamy and comforting

1. Creamy white beans with garlic and greens.
2. Tuscan bean soup.
3. Butter beans in tomato sauce with feta, baked.
4. Refried beans.
5. Dal (with lentils or split peas).
6. Baked beans, homemade.

Crispy

1. Roasted chickpeas with smoked paprika.
2. Crispy smashed white beans in a skillet.
3. Falafel.
4. Black bean burgers.

Saucy mains

1. Chana masala.
2. Black bean chili.
3. Rajma (kidney bean curry).
4. Shakshuka with chickpeas.
5. Feijoada-inspired black bean stew.
6. Beans and greens with sausage.
7. Pasta e fagioli.

Salads and bowls

1. Three-bean salad.
2. Chickpea salad sandwich.
3. White bean, tuna and red onion salad.
4. Black bean and corn salsa.
5. Mediterranean chickpea bowl.

Dips and spreads

1. Hummus.
2. White bean dip with rosemary.
3. Black bean dip.

Make beans taste amazing

• Cook dried beans with onion, garlic, bay leaf and a splash of olive oil.
• Add acid at the end: lemon or vinegar.
• Fat and texture: good olive oil, toasted breadcrumbs, crispy onions.
• Let beans sit in their sauce to absorb flavor.

Track the protein and fiber

Bean recipes shine on the nutrition panel. SmartChef AI shows estimated protein and fiber per serving for each recipe. Ask Cook AI to "add beans to this recipe to make it more filling". More: food trends 2027, high-fiber recipes and Mediterranean diet recipes.

Creamy white beans with garlic and greens

Warm 3 tbsp olive oil with 4 sliced garlic cloves and a pinch of chili until fragrant. Add 2 drained tins of white beans (cannellini or butter beans) and ½ cup stock. Simmer 5 minutes, mashing a few beans to make it creamy. Stir in 2 big handfuls of spinach or chopped kale until wilted. Finish with lemon juice, salt, more olive oil and parmesan. Serve with toast. Serves 2–3.

Bean varieties to try

Butter beans (large, creamy), cannellini (mild), borlotti (nutty), black beans (earthy), chickpeas (firm), kidney beans (hearty), and heirloom varieties from specialist shops.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to soak dried beans?

Soaking shortens cooking time and can improve texture. Lentils and split peas don't need soaking.

How do I make beans less gassy?

Increase beans gradually in your diet, rinse tinned beans and cook dried beans thoroughly.

Are tinned beans healthy?

Yes. Rinse them to reduce sodium, or choose low-salt versions.