11 Hearty Bean Recipes To Try This Winter
The cold winter months can often leave us feeling sluggish and low on energy. If you need a pick-me-up, beans, even the canned ones, are the perfect way to get that extra boost of nutrition and energy. They are a fantastic source of protein, fiber, and other nutrients. Plus, they are incredibly versatile and easy to work with, as you will see in these eleven recipes.
1. Air Fryer Falafel
![A bowl full of falafel on a table.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/air-fryer-falafel-1-1024x576.jpg)
This vegan-friendly Air Fryer Falafel will be one of the best things you’ll ever eat this season. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and they make for an excellent appetizer, snack, or filling.
2. Pork and Beans
![A white bowl filled with pork and beans.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/pork-and-beans-1-1024x576.jpg)
Love pork and beans? It’s definitely a comfort food type of meal, and this healthier version makes it even better. Don’t drain or rinse the canned beans. Add everything from the can to your skillet to maximize the flavor.
3. Bean Chowder
![A wood ladle scoops up a scoop of bean chowder from a soup pot.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bean-chowder-1024x576.png)
This bean chowder is one of those recipes that makes a huge pot of soup that you can easily portion out and freeze for a cold winter evening with some crusty garlic bread. It makes approximately a full gallon of soup, so you’ll have plenty left over to freeze.
4. Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans
![An overhead view of a white bowl full of cowboy beans. A wood spoon rests in the side of the bowl.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/cowboy-beans-1-1024x576.jpg)
A delicious, easy-to-make recipe for Slow Cooker Cowboy Beans that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish to other courses.
5. White Bean Soup
![A white bowl sits filled with white bean soup.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/white-bean-soup-1-1024x576.png)
A comforting Italian soup made with cannellini beans, vegetables, garlic, herbs, and optional bacon. It’s a perfect light meal or side dish.
6. Italian Navy Bean Soup
![An overhead view of a white bowl filled with Italian navy bean soup.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/italian-navy-bean-soup-1-1024x576.jpg)
This Italian navy bean soup is quick to make, delicious (anything with bacon is delicious!), and actually quite filling despite its lighter broth.
7. Chickpea Tofu
![A pile of Chickpea Tofu cubes laying on a cutting board.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/chickpea-tofu-1024x576.png)
This plant-based, 3-ingredient chickpea tofu is packed with protein but low in fat, and it’s soy-free. Make it in minutes.
8. Artichoke Heart Hummus
![A white bowl filled with artichoke heart hummus.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/artichoke-heart-hummus-1024x576.png)
This artichoke heart hummus is the perfect veggie dip. It’s also great in wraps and on sandwiches. Especially anything with a Mediterranean flavor profile.
9. Roasted Everything Bagel Chickpeas
![A funnel of parchment paper holds a batch of Roasted Everything Bagel Seasoning Chickpeas.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/roasted-chickepeas-1024x576.png)
Crunchy, flavorful, roasted everything bagel chickpeas are a delicious alternative to fat-laden snacks like chips or butter-drenched popcorn. They are easy to make and fantastically delicious!
10. Buttered Black Beans
![A green crock full of Butter Black Beans sits on a white towel on a countertop.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/buttered-black-beans-recipe-1-1024x576.jpg)
These buttered black beans are a deliciously plant-based main course in my house. But you can make it a side dish with just about any other main course you choose.
11. Black Bean Brownies
![Black Bean Brownies in a stack from overhead.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/black-bean-brownies-1024x576.png)
I know the words “brownies” and “healthy” don’t often go together. But in this case, they absolutely do! Brownies made with black beans may sound odd, but I promise, they are delicious.
Sick Of The Same Ol’ Chicken For Dinner? Here Are 101 New Ways To Make It!
![A dutch oven with a cooked whole chicken topped with rosemary twigs.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/dutch-oven-chicken-1024x576.png)
Having chicken for dinner… again? Here are 101 new ways to level up your dinner game tonight.
Healthy Ground Turkey Dinner Ideas That Actually Taste Good
![A skillet filled with ground turkey, chopped tomatoes, chopped avocado and garnished with fresh parsley.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/turkey-vegetable-skillet-1024x576.png)
Lean ground turkey is a great replacement for ground beef if you are working on your health. Here, we give you 17 Meals with ground turkey that are surprisingly good for you.
While You’re Cooking, Prep Breakfast For Tomorrow Too. It Only Takes 5 Minutes!
![An overhead view of a small canning jar filled with overnight oats with raisins.](https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/overnight-oatmeal-1024x576.png)
Prepping overnight oats the night before is a fantastic way to ensure that your morning runs smoothly. These delicious oatmeal recipes are prepped in just 5 minutes. In fact, you can even make homemade oatmeal packets with these recipes, so all you have to do is grab a packet and get it in the fridge.
This originally appeared on The Gracious Pantry.