You can find a 1 lb bag of beans (black beans, red beans, pinto beans, any beans…) for about $1 from most retailers. I have noticed that pinto beans tend to be the cheapest ones, but they are all relatively cheap. Here are some uses that go beyond a simple traditional preparation of just boiling them! What will you create?
1. Cooked Beans (Base Preparation)
Boil 1 pound of beans until tender. Salt late in cooking.
Use in soups, rice bowls, salads, tacos, or casseroles.
Freeze in flat bags for easy portioning.
2. Refried Beans
Mash cooked beans with a little oil, salt, and spices.
Add broth for creaminess. Freeze in small containers.
3. Air-Fried Beans (Crispy Snack)
Drain cooked beans, toss with oil and spices, and air-fry at 400°F for 10–15 minutes.
Crisp, savory, and protein-packed — perfect for salads or trail mixes.
4. Bean Milk
Blend 1 cup cooked beans with 3 cups water. Strain and flavor with vanilla or cinnamon.
Use for smoothies, cereals, or baking.
5. Bean Flour
Grind dry or dehydrated beans into fine flour.
Use to thicken soups or replace ¼ of flour in baked goods.
6. Bean Tofu (“Okara-style”)
Blend soaked beans, cook the slurry, strain, and press into a firm block.
Use as a neutral protein base in stir-fries or sandwiches.
7. Bean Burgers or Patties
Combine mashed beans, oats, onion, and seasoning.
Form into patties and pan-sear; freeze extras raw or cooked.
8. Bean Pancakes or Fritters
Blend beans with water, garlic, and herbs for savory griddle cakes.
Inspired by Korean bindaetteok or Indian chilla.
9. Bean-Based Pasta Dough
Mix bean flour with eggs or water for a protein-rich noodle dough.
10. Bean Desserts
Pureed beans replace flour or butter in brownies and blondies.
White bean purée adds body to custards or smoothies.
11. Bean Ice Cream Base
Blend white beans with coconut milk and sweetener, then freeze or churn.
12. Bean Paste & Dips
Whip beans with olive oil, lemon, and garlic for a hummus-style spread.
Store in jars and freeze small portions for quick use.
PRESERVATION & STORAGE
13. Bean Pickles
Marinate cooked beans in vinegar, herbs, and spices — crunchy, tangy, and probiotic.
14. Bean Powder Seasoning
Toast bean flour lightly and mix with herbs and salt for a protein-rich sprinkle.
15. Bean Crackers & Flatbread
Mix bean flour with oil, salt, and water, then bake crisp for long-lasting snacks.
GARDEN & SUSTAINABILITY
16. Bean Sprouts
Soak dry beans overnight; rinse twice daily.
Harvest in 2–4 days for salads and stir-fries.
17. Bean Stock or Broth Base
Simmer bean cooking liquid with onion and herbs for soup base or to cook grains. Leave some beans in as the base for a soup and use the remaining beans for another use!
18. Use as Seeds- Every bean is a seed!
Set aside a handful of raw beans to dry and plant for next season.
Every meal becomes a seed for the next.
CRAFT & HOME USES
19. Natural Bean Dye
Boil black beans to create a soft gray-violet dye for fabric or handmade paper.
20. Bean Mosaic
Use some liquid school glue to glue beans to a paper plate in a beautiful pattern.
