Kidney beans are a staple in Central American dishes and a popular legume throughout the world. You can use them in a variety of amazing meals. This includes sloppy joes, chili mac and cheese, and Mexican soup to name a few. Plus, kidney beans are high in fiber, minerals, and protein. Move over cannellini and pinto beans, kidney beans are the new star of the show.
1. Chili
Kidney beans are your new secret weapon to making the ultimate chili. And this recipe is full of them. Other ingredients you’ll need are browned beef, garlic, yellow onion, canned tomatoes, jalapenos, and a ton of spice. I also like to add a splash of dark beer to give this chili more depth. Choose any dark beer you like, but I think the sweet, malty flavor of a porter pairs best.
2. Jamaican Rice and Peas (Coconut Rice and Beans)
Tonight, whip up your kidney beans Jamaican style with this Caribbean dish. The rice soaks up coconut milk to impart a wonderful tropical flavor that goes smashingly with kidney beans. You can serve this as a side dish or make it into a light entree.
3. Sloppy Joes
These aren’t like the sloppy joes at your middle school cafeteria. A savory filling of ground beef, veggies, and kidney beans gets smothered in barbecue sauce. Slap this satiating mix on a perfectly toasted bun and you have a winner.
4. Pasta e Fagioli
Pasta e Fagioli is a traditional Italian soup made with pasta and beans. It’s super yummy and satiating. Start by cooking your pasta and Italian sausage. Then throw all your soup ingredients into a pot and simmer. To make it taste just like Olive Garden, you’ll want kidney beans, great northern beans, veggies, onions, tomato sauce, and dried Italian herbs.
5. Kidney Bean Salad
Doctor up your kidney bean salad with this refreshing Mediterranean recipe. Ingredients like fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, and cilantro turn this humble bean into a spectacular dish. Don’t forget a drizzle of the dijon vinaigrette.
6. Refried Kidney Beans
This will be your new favorite way to do refried beans. These beans have a wonderful consistency and perfectly seasoned flavor. One bite and you’ll want to pair these refried beans with all your favorite Mexican recipes.
7. Chipotle Chicken Chili
Liven up a cold winter day with a nourishing, protein-rich chipotle chicken chili. Chipotle adds a hint of smokiness that compliments the mild sweetness of the kidney beans. Top this chili with an array of fixings. Some of my favorites are cheddar cheese, avocado, and fresh cilantro.
8. Kidney Bean Vegetable Soup
This veggie soup is an easy pantry staple. Ingredients include canned tomatoes, chicken broth, and low-sodium kidney beans. You can use whatever veggies you have on hand. Or stick with staples like carrots and onions.
9. Ultimate Scrambled Eggs
Up your scrambled egg game with this genius recipe. Red kidney beans, onions, red peppers, herbs, and spices are thrown into a fluffy egg scramble. Serve this delightful breakfast mix on top of buttered toast. Add a splash of hot sauce for an extra spicy kick.
10. Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is my version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. It’s full of comforting flavors and warming Mexican spices. Cream of chicken soup, shredded chicken, black beans, and kidney beans make up the base. Meanwhile, fajita seasoning and salsa add a flavorful punch. For the ultimate toppings, go with cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips.
11. Vegetarian Chili Mac and Cheese
Who doesn’t love mac and cheese! What’s even better is this one-pot meal can be ready in 30 minutes. This vegetarian recipe is a healthier version that still lets you give in to your cheesy cravings. The best part is it also incorporates your favorite chili fixings.
12. Taco Soup
Still think kidney beans are boring? Well then wait until you try this taco soup. It’s brimming with complex flavors that are impossible to resist. This includes ground beef, green chilis, kidney beans, pinto beans, veggies, and taco seasoning.
13. Bean Stew
Warm up on a dreary day with a wholesome bowl of bean stew. This recipe is a cinch to make and full of protein. It has three types of beans including garbanzo, black beans, and kidney beans. You can mix and match ingredients with whatever you have on hand, but I highly recommend not skimping on the kidney beans for this one.
14. Minestrone Soup
This rendition of minestrone is a favorite in my household. It’s full of veggies like carrots, spinach, celery, and zucchini. Kidney beans impart a mildly sweet taste, while the tangy tomatoes and herbs build deep flavors. All that goodness drenches al dente shell pasta for a super heartwarming bowl.
15. Coconut Kidney Bean Curry
Need a quick pick-me-up for dinner? Kidney bean curry is sure to lift your spirits. This Thai-inspired dish is bursting with spicy, tropical, earthy flavors. Kidney beans swim in a garam masala spiced coconut milk. Pour that over a bed of rice for a full meal.
16. Three-Bean Salad
This deli salad is highly underrated. It’s quick, cheap, healthy, and chock-full of yummy goodness. To make, toss kidney, garbanzo, and green beans to a bowl. Add some parsley and mix with an apple cider dressing. I think this easy peasy salad makes a wonderful addition to any lonely lunch sandwich.
17. Spaghetti with Kidney Bean Meatballs
Meatless Mondays, say hello to your new friend. These meatless meatballs feature white kidney beans, breadcrumbs, dried herbs, and nutritional yeast. Toss these giant meatballs on top of some spaghetti and dinner is ready!
18. Caribbean Bean and Collard Green Soup
Get ready to cozy up because this Caribbean soup is on the dinner menu tonight. Meld kidney beans, black beans, scotch bonnet pepper, canned tomatoes, and a heaping of spice in light coconut milk. You’ll also need some collard greens, lime, and a pinch of brown sugar.
19. Baked Beans
When I have a hankering for baked beans, I turn to this recipe. The combo of bacon and molasses transform baked kidney beans into a remarkable dish. This recipe is a stellar side for barbecues, fried chicken, or any home-style meal.
20. Two-Bean Veggie Pizza
Brilliant is how I describe this vegetarian pizza. Toppings include tomatoes, caramelized onions, and two types of cheese. The real treat, however, is in the smoky, tangy kidney bean sauce. With this recipe, you’ll have no problem getting your kids to eat their beans for dinner.
21. Red Kidney Bean Dip
Quick and easy, red kidney bean dip is a lifesaver for game days and parties. It only requires six ingredients and about 10 minutes of your time. Grab a bag of tortilla chips because your guest will want to dig right in.
22. Red Bean and Roasted Pepper Hummus
Chickpeas, step aside because kidney beans are in town. Kidney beans have a mildly sweet and earthy flavor that makes for incredible hummus. What makes this recipe even more unique is it uses lime and roasted red pepper. It’s so good, I could eat it with a spoon!
23. Three Bean Tacos
Taco Tuesday just got an upgrade with three bean tacos. They’re fresh, filling, and oh-so-scrumptious. Crunchy shells each get a healthy dose of bell peppers, red onions, taco seasoning, and three types of beans. I like to top mine with salsa, cheese, and avocado.
24. Cowboy Beans
What exactly are cowboy beans you ask? Well, I’ll tell you! It’s a hearty meal of ground beef, bacon, and beans. This recipe does it right with kidney beans, pork’ n beans, white beans, and liquid smoke. These beans go to show you can never have enough slow cooker recipes on your hands.
25. Stuffed Bell Peppers
Kids and adults will both agree that kidney beans are great in stuffed bell peppers. This recipe includes mushrooms, tomatoes, parsley, and jalapenos. Rice adds more substance to the filling while melty cheese seals in all the flavors.
26. Mexican Bean and Corn Salad
What I love most about this salad is it’s bursting with colorful plant-based ingredients. It calls for canned black beans, kidney beans, and corn. For fresh ingredients, toss in cherry tomatoes, green onion, cilantro, and bell pepper. But wait, it even has queso fresco and a citrusy Mexican dressing. This is an easy Mexican recipe you can make whenever you want a tasty, healthy side dish.
27. Spicy Bean and Beef Pie
Next time you’re craving a savory beef pie, give this recipe a whirl. Flaky pie crust gets a filling of beef, kidney beans, Picante salsa, and a bean with bacon soup. The fillings are so substantial, you may want to turn this into a deep-dish double-crust pie.
28. Mexican Corn and Bean Soup
What I love most about this dish is its versatility. You can swap out ingredients for what you have on hand. However, some ingredients are a must. These are corn, peppers, and of course, kidney beans. For a vegan version, you could use veggie broth and a non-dairy milk substitute.
29. Vegan Jambalaya
Speaking of vegan, this amazing vegan jambalaya is one to add to the list. This Louisiana dish typically calls for andouille sausage which consists of pork. But this one uses vegan andouille instead. Add in some creole cajun seasoning, fresh veggies, kidney beans, and rice for some tasty southern fare.
30. Kidney Bean Brownies
I know what you’re thinking, “kidney bean brownies, really?” Yes, really! You have to sink your teeth into these fudgy, chewy squares. Kidney beans give these brownies a healthy twist and thick texture. They’re so delicious your kids will never know you snuck in red beans. Click on a star to rate it!
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