6 Budget-Friendly Recipes for Cooking with Beans

The Power of Beans: Delicious and Affordable

Nutritious, versatile, and affordable – beans are truly a miracle food. They pack a punch with their high protein and fiber content, making them a staple for anyone on a budget. If you’re looking to broaden your culinary horizon with these little gems, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into our first budget-friendly recipe!

1. Classic Chili Con Carne

When you think of comfort food, chili con carne often comes to mind. This dish is easy to make, delicious, and super affordable. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 2 tsp chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, cook the ground beef until browned.
2. Add the onions and garlic and sauté until soft.
3. Add the chili powder and cook for a minute.
4. Stir in the beans and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for about 30 minutes until flavors meld together. Serve warm.

2. Hearty Bean Soup

A heartwarming bean soup can go a long way in satisfying your hunger without breaking the bank. The great thing is, you can use any beans you have on hand. Here’s our go-to recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans mixed beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the carrots, celery, onion, and garlic until soft.
2. Add the beans, tomatoes, and thyme. Stir to combine.
3. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

5. Bean Salad with Fresh Vegetables

Nothing says budget-friendly like a hearty bean salad, and this recipe takes advantage of both canned beans and fresh veggies for a nutritious meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of mixed beans
• 1 cucumber
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 small red onion
• 2 tomatoes
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the beans under cold water.
2. Dice the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and tomatoes into small pieces.
3. In a large bowl, mix the beans with the diced veggies.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the salad and season with salt, pepper, and the chopped fresh herbs.
5. Toss everything together until well combined.
6. Serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour to let the flavors meld together.

6. Hearty Bean Soup

This last recipe turns inexpensive beans into a warming, comforting soup — perfect for those cold days.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of mixed beans
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots
• 2 stalks of celery
• 4 cups of vegetable broth
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 tsp of thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp of olive oil

Instructions:

1. Chop the onion, carrots, and celery into small pieces.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
3. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot and sauté until the veggies are tender.
4. Drain and rinse the beans, then add them to the pot.
5. Add the vegetable broth, thyme, salt, and pepper, and bring the soup to a boil.
6. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh herbs on top for added flavor.