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30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans

Looking for easy ways to start saving on your grocery bill? Here are a bunch of delicious recipes using inexpensive canned beans.
30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans

Photography by Erik Putz. Food styling by Matthew Kimura. Prop styling by Madeleine Johari.

Legumes are an affordable, low-fat meat alternative, full of nutrients (think protein, fibre, iron and vitamin B). And if you're building out your pantry for fall and winter, a can of beans (or several) is an incredibly versatile addition.

You can choose from black beans, navy beans, romano beans, kidney beans and more, to make everything from rustic classics like beans on toast to hearty soups and southern-style breakfasts.

Kitchen note: A can of beans has higher sodium levels compared to dried beans, so it's always advisable to drain and rinse the beans before cooking with them.

Navy beans (1 can)

Skip the beef, and try a cozy chicken chili with beans tonight instead. Topped with jalapeños, avocado and freshly grated cheese, it won’t disappoint. Get the recipe for chicken chili verde.

a bowl of chili chicken verde with sliced avocado and lettuce Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Navy beans (1/2 can)

A zippy and fresh dip that’s perfect for the appetizer table. Simply pair with crudites and crackers (store-bought or homemade). Get the recipe for our lemony bean dip.

Lemon bean dip in a blue bowl with a serving spoon Photo, Erik Putz.

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Navy beans (1 can)

Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup made with hominy (dried corn kernels soaked in an alkali solution to remove the hull and germ). Our easy and quick-to-make chicken pozole calls for it—but if you don’t have any available, navy beans are a great substitution. Top with your choice of radishes, avocado, tortilla, queso fresco and cilantro. Get the recipe for quick chicken pozole.

chicken posole with a can of beans, radishes and diced tomatoes Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Navy beans (1 can)

If you prefer to dress up your beans a bit before throwing them over a crusty slice of baguette, this is the recipe for you. Our beans on toast takes it up a few notches with white wine and fresh aromatics. Get the recipe for white beans on toast.

White beans on toast with arugula salad Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Navy beans (2 cans)

If you prefer chicken to sausage, this hearty stew takes the same good stuff—protein, fibre-rich legumes and vegetables—and turns them into an amazing meal. Get the recipe for chicken and bean stew.

Hearty chicken stew recipe with carrots, beans and spinach Photo, Erik Putz.

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Navy beans (2 cans)

And sometimes, you’re just looking to make the classics. If you have two cans of beans on hand, now’s the time to make our 35-minute baked beans. Get the recipe for quick baked beans.

vegetarian baked beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

White beans (1 1/2 cans)

Bring big (and affordable) flavours to the dinner table tonight with this one-pan mushroom, chard, garlic and parmesan dish. Get the recipe for one-pan mushroom gratin with white beans.

one-pan mushroom gratin with white beans Photo, Erik Putz.

White beans (1 can)

This one-pan meal, filled with mushrooms and topped with cheese, is a dinnertime winner. Get this mushroom gratin with beans recipe.

Pan filled with mushroom gratin with butter beans. Photo, Erik Putz.

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White beans (1 can)

This creamy carrot and tomato based soup (boosted with nutirent-rich beans) is hearty enough to serve as a main dish, and ready in just 35 minutes. Get the recipe for white bean and tomato soup.

Soup with white beans and tomato soup Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Navy beans (1 can)

Mushrooms stand in for scallops in this hearty and delicious dish. Get the recipe for this navy bean cassoulet. 

Vegan “Scallop” And Navy Bean Cassoulet recipe Photography by Erik Putz. Food styling by Matthew Kimura. Prop styling by Madeleine Johari.

Black beans (1/2 can)

Huevos rancheros are great for easy entertaining, and this recipe can turn brunch, lunch or dinner into a fabulous fiesta. Get the recipe for huevos rancheros.

Huevos rancheros Photo, Sian Richards.

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Black beans (1/2 can)

For the other half of that can of beans, try another breakfast-for-dinner favourite. These squash, turkey and bean burritos mean dinner’s an all-in-one wrap. Packed with protein, vegetables and a hint of spice—each bite is cheesy perfection. Get the recipe for turkey and bean burritos.

squash, turkey and bean burritos Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Black beans (1/2 can)

A new way to make use of your slow cooker that’s perfect for your next fiesta! Get the recipe for our southwest corn and cream cheese dip.

southwest corn and bean cream cheese dip with vegetables and tortilla chips

Black beans (1 can)

Why waste calories on chips when baked tortillas are just as good? We also added lots of tasty, high-fibre refried beans and fresh toppings like avocado and chilies to these nachos to give them an extra edge. Get the recipe for health(ier) nachos.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

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Black beans (1 can)

Sometimes you’re looking for a low-effort meal (that still tastes great). On busy nights, our southwestern twist on beans on toast, served with tex-mex salad, is a life-saver. Get the recipe for southwestern beans on toast.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Black beans (1 can)

Yes we did. A WHOLE can of beans goes into this chocolate cake, making it healthier, as well as rich and fudgy. Get the recipe for black bean chocolate cake.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Black beans (1/2 can)

With perfectly spiced Cuban pork, tender sweet potatoes and a creamy lime sauce, this barley bowl recipe will go into weekly rotation. Get this Cuban-inspired pork barley bowl recipe.

Cuban pork and barley in a bowl. Photo, Erik Putz.

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Black beans (1 can)

Beans are also a great adition to this Tex-Mex-style vegetarian taco salad. Get the recipe for Tex-Mex taco salad.

Tortilla tex-mex salad.

Black beans (1 can)

Turn dinner into an assemble-your-own event! Pita, zesty chicken and a chopped bean salad fold together for a fast and easy meal. Get the recipe for lime and garlic chicken.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans

Black beans (1 can)

It’s a Friday night free-for-all at the dinner table. Throw out extra napkins, and dig into juicy, cheesy—and yes, sloppy—buns filled with saucy beef and topped with a tart pickle. Get the recipe for classic sloppy joes.

Sloppy Joes recipe

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Black beans (2 cans)

Whether prepared from canned beans or dried, this warming soup is only 10 ingredients and simple to make. Get the recipe for this black bean soup.

Black Bean Soup With Lime Popcorn recipe Photography by Erik Putz. Food styling by Matthew Kimura. Prop styling by Madeleine Johari.

Romano beans (1 can)

This steamy soup brings a taste of Italy to you at home. For an authentic finish, pair it with toasted, garlicky bread, drizzled in olive oil. Get the recipe for Italian pasta and bean soup.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Romano beans (1/2 can)

Simple and colourful romano bean fritters with a creamy avocado and cabbage slaw. (Bonus: buying hardy winter veg is another great way to save on your grocery bill.) Get the recipe for romano bean fritters with avocado slaw.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Erik Putz.

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Romano beans (1/2 can)

Use up the second half of that can of beans on a bowl of winter soup. This easy minestrone is a long-time favourite (it only take 30 minutes to make!). Get the recipe for easy minestrone.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Romano beans (1 can)

Take a break from the work-week hustle with a hearty chicken stew you can sit down to in just over a half-hour. Get the recipe for roasted chicken and romano bean stew.

Roasted chicken and romano bean stew Photo, Erik Putz.

White kidney beans (1 can)

Beans get tossed with kale, quinoa, peppers, pesto, parmesan and lemon for a 20-minute dinner salad. Get the recipe for kale, red pepper and quinoa toss salad.

This recipe can be made in less time than you'd wait for take-out delivery.Satisfy your desire for a super-nutritious hot meal made in 20 minutes. Recipe from Quinoa Revolution.

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White kidney beans (1 can)

Made with kale, beans, and turkey, chicken or Italian sausages, this soup is a perfect-for-winter comfort food. Get the recipe for turkey and white bean soup.

30 Deliciously Inventive Ways To Use A Can Of Beans Photo, Roberto Caruso.

White kidney beans (1 can)

Packed with delicious vegetables and pasta, this plant-based hearty soup is sure to fill you up. Get this hearty vegan minestrone recipe.

Hearty vegan minestrone with toast in a pink bowl on soft pink tabletop Photo, Carmen Cheung

Red kidney beans (1 can)

Make Friday night Nacho-Night with no-salt tortilla chips, chorizo and extra beans (for added fibre and protein). Get the recipe for nachos with beans and chorizo.

nachos with kidney beans chorizo and cheese Photo, Erik Putz.

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Kidney beans (1/2 can)

Make a cold-weather meal that’s extra hearty (and healthy) with sausage and beans and rich green kale leaves. Get the recipe for sausage and kale soup.

Sausage and kale soup Photo, Roberto Caruso.

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