9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (2024)

Confession: Even though I'm a food and health editor who knows all about the benefits of beans...I rarely enjoy eating them. You won't see me fill my plate with baked beans at a barbecue, and while I do buy canned kidney beans with good intentions (even armed with recipes), they tend to sit in my pantry for months.

But there is one bean dish I've loved ever since I was a kid: my mom's white bean chili, served with buttery cornbread. White beans are an entry-level bean. "They are a more palatable option for people who are not used to eating beans such as black or kidney beans due to their soft texture, but still provide a similar nutrient content,” registered dietitian Kelly Jones, RD, previously told Well+Good.

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That nutrient content she mentions is worth calling out. One cup of white beans has 16 grams of protein (you want to aim to get 75 grams a day) and almost 10 grams of fiber (a good daily goal to aim for is between 25 and 28 grams). See a full rundown of white beans nutritional value (per cup) below, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

Protein: 16 grams
Carbohydrates: 44 grams
Fiber: 10 grams
Calcium: 125 milligrams
Iron: 4 grams
Potassium: 842 milligrams

Looking for other delicious vegetarian sources of protein? These options are all approved by an RD:

As Jones mentioned, white beans are mild in taste. This makes them really versatile and adaptable. And if you've never cooked with white beans before, there's certainly no shortage of white bean recipes to try. Keep reading to check out some of our favorites.

9 white bean recipes to ease yourself into the bean-eating life

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (2)

1. White bean stew

This easy white bean stew is hearty enough to enjoy on its own, or you can serve it over rice—either way, it will taste delicious and fill you up. Besides white beans, the recipe calls for tomatoes, onion, garlic, leeks, and carrots. You'll definitely get your fill of brain- and heart-healthy antioxidants thanks to all those veggies, that's for sure.

Get the recipe: White bean stew

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (3)

2. White bean turkey chili

If you're looking for a way to way to incorporate white beans into a meaty chili to up the fiber, this recipe has you covered. White beans taste especially great with poultry, like chicken or turkey. Like any good chili, this one is full of veggies, too, namely onion, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Green chilis, chipotle powder, and chili powder add extra heat. Even though it will taste like it simmered all day, it only takes 45 minutes to cook.

Get the recipe: White bean turkey chili

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (4)

3. White bean hummus

Paired with crackers or sliced carrots, this white bean hummus is a great mid-day snack. The protein in the beans will give you enough energy to push through the rest of the afternoon. It only takes 10 minutes to make, too. Besides the beans, all you need is tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, onion powder, and salt.

Get the recipe: White bean hummus

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (5)

4. Rosemary garlic white bean soup

Even though white beans taste mild on their own, that doesn't mean you have to use a ton of seasoning to make them taste good. This recipe only uses garlic, rosemary, thyme, crushed red pepper, and pepper—and it's enough. Enjoy this soup as is, or add in vegetables from your crisper, such as zucchini, kale, or spinach.

Get the recipe: Rosemary garlic white bean soup

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (6)

5. White bean Mediterranean salad

Soups and stews aren't the only white bean recipes; you can enjoy them cold, too. This Mediterranean-inspired salad combines the legume with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, onion, mint, lemon, parsley, and za'atar seasoning. (Feta cheese tastes great added in, too.)

Get the recipe: White bean Mediterranean salad

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (7)

6. Tuscan white bean skillet recipe

Skillet dinners are the best for nights when you need to get something on the table quick—and don't want to be left with a sink full of dishes. Sun-dried tomato, mushrooms, artichokes, and spices help add an Italian flair to the dish.

Get the recipe: Tuscan white bean skillet recipe

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (8)

7. Garlic white bean mashed potatoes

Sorry cauliflower, you aren't the only fiber-rich item that tastes great mashed. This side dish—which takes a total of four minutes to make—shows that white beans work as a potato substitute, too. Just combine them with vegetable stock, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper.

Get the recipe: Garlic white bean mashed potatoes

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (9)

8. Pan-seared halibut and white beans

Like white beans, halibut is soft in texture and mild in taste; they both work well with the same sauces and spices. The parsley and lemon juice called for in this recipe help brighten up the whole dish.

Get the recipe: Pan-seared halibut and white beans

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (10)

9. Instant Pot tomatillo poblano white beans

This meal is (ahem) soup-er creamy and full of flavor. The recipe calls for half a jalapeno, but if you're into spice, go ahead and add a whole one in there.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot tomatillo poblano white beans

As you can see, there's no shortage of white bean recipes, whether you're looking for a side dish or want to enjoy them as the main event. Whichever recipe you pick, you're sure to end up with a meal that's both nutrient-rich and comforting.

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Tags: Food and Nutrition, Healthy Recipes for Dinner

9 White Bean Recipes That Even People Who 'Don't Like Beans' Will Love (2024)

FAQs

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

When a recipe calls for white beans What are they? ›

If a recipe calls for white beans, you can use Great Northern beans, navy beans, or white kidney beans (also called cannellini beans). Black Beans are medium-size, oval-shaped beans with matte black skin.

What is the benefit of white beans? ›

White beans have a high nutrient density and fairly low calorie count. Combined with their high fiber and protein content, these attributes may promote a healthy body weight. Foods high in fiber and protein have been shown to promote feelings of fullness, leaving you less likely to overeat ( 15 , 16 , 17 ).

What can I eat if I don't like beans? ›

In general, mushrooms tend to work in place of black beans or kidney beans (or beef and pork if it's a non-vegan recipe). Eggplant tends to work in place white beans or chickpeas or lentils used in Italian dishes.

How do you get picky eaters to eat beans? ›

An obvious way of adding beans to breakfast is with good old Baked Beans. You can serve them as part of a big breakfast, in a toastie, or just on their own with toast. Baked beans are also a good kid friendly option, because they are often quite sweet.

Which white bean is healthiest? ›

All beans are rich in fiber, but the top-ranking variety is the navy bean, allegedly named for its popularity in the U.S. Navy in the early 20th century. These pea-sized, cream-colored beans provide 10 grams of fiber per half-cup serving.

What is the most popular white bean? ›

White beans as a category includes navy beans, great northern beans, cannellini beans, baby lima beans, butter beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans, etc. These are the most popular types of white beans (cooked white beans), however each type has its own unique peculiarities and features.

Which white beans are creamiest? ›

Cannellini Beans.

They are one of the creamiest beans that are widely available in canned form. I absolutely adore them. If you cannot find them, you can substitute another white bean, but the end result won't be as creamy.

Are white beans and cannellini beans the same? ›

What is a White Bean? Some recipes simply call for “white beans.” This is a general term for great northern beans, navy beans, cannellini beans, and other similar beans.

Are navy beans the same as white beans? ›

Due to their creamy white color, navy beans are sometimes confused with other white beans such as great northern beans, cannellini beans, or white kidney beans. Although their taste is similar, navy beans are smaller and rounder than these other varieties.

Is it OK to eat white beans everyday? ›

Is it healthy to eat beans every day? Yes! "Eating beans, including canned beans, every day is one of the best things you can do to help increase nutrients [that you may fall short on] and substantially improve the quality of your diet," says Papanikolaou.

Are white beans anti inflammatory? ›

Overview. Low-calorie, nutrient-dense cannellini beans and other legumes are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants, have anti-inflammatory properties and have even been found to help people with diabetes (about half of whom also have arthritis).

What color beans are healthiest? ›

Some of the healthiest beans to consume include: Black beans: Often known as turtle beans, black beans are inexpensive and widely available in supermarkets. Cooked black beans have a texture that makes them a superb beef and poultry alternative.

How can I tolerate beans better? ›

But most people can enjoy more beans with less gas with the help of these tips: Soak beans overnight in water, then drain, rinse and cook in fresh water. This decreases the oligosaccharide content. Cooking the beans in a pressure cooker may reduce the oligosaccharides even further.

Can some people not tolerate beans? ›

Beans are a nutritious and delicious food that offers a wide range of health benefits. However, for some people, consuming beans can bring about a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including bloating, gas, and stomach pain. This is because beans contain complex sugars that some individuals may have difficulty digesting.

Why do some people not like beans? ›

Beans are a wonderful food, full of filling protein and fiber, as well as other important vitamins and minerals that nourish a healthy body. Unfortunately, some people choose to avoid this healthful food because they fear intestinal gas or flatulence.

How do you get used to eating beans? ›

For instance, begin with a quarter cup of beans per day and gradually work your way up to half a cup, three-quarters of a cup, and so on. This method allows your body to adapt slowly to the increased fiber content and other nutrients in beans, minimizing the risk of digestive problems.

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