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

How do you eat beans for people who don't like beans? ›

So, how do we get these magical beans into those who don't like them?
  1. Hummus. A lot of kids seem to like blended beans more than whole beans. ...
  2. Bean Quesadilla. ...
  3. Make nachos with refried beans. ...
  4. Rice and Bean Taquitos. ...
  5. Salsa Verde Soup. ...
  6. Black Bean Burgers. ...
  7. Legume Pasta is an easy way to eat beans. ...
  8. Bean Energy Balls.
Feb 22, 2024

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

What Are White Beans? 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.

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 white beans and white navy beans the same thing? ›

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.

How do you get picky eaters to eat beans? ›

Another easy way to get my kids to eat beans is by serving them in smoothies. Cannellini beans are so smooth, creamy and mild tasting that they're easy to add to smoothies without your kids knowing. I can add up to 1 tin of beans to this Chocolate Smoothie, and my kids have no idea.

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.

What are the best white beans to eat? ›

Though they come in several varieties, cannellini beans tend to be the most popular. Due to their high fiber and protein content, they may help support a healthy body weight, muscle mass, and digestion. In particular, they're a great source of protein for vegans and vegetarians.

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.

Is there a difference between white beans and great northern beans? ›

According to Healthline, great northern beans are smaller than cannellini beans and round in shape, while cannellini beans are larger and have an ovular shape, similar to that of a kidney. This is why cannellini beans are also referred to as white kidney beans.

What does white beans do to the body? ›

Rich in folate, magnesium, potassium, protein, complex carbs, good fats, iron, copper and other array nutrients, these white flat beans should be part of your regular diet plan for losing weight, maintaining healthy cardiac health, improving brain function, building muscles and repairing tissues.

Are white beans good for gut? ›

Beans, particularly small white navy beans, are full of gut-supporting fibers, amino acids, and other nutrients, which can help the beneficial bacteria in your colon flourish, supporting immune health and regulating inflammation, Daniel-MacDougall explains.

Are white beans a protein or carb? ›

They are full of protein.

The suggested intake of protein is . 36 grams per pound of body weight (Healthline.com). This amounts to about 46 grams of protein for an average woman and 56 grams for the average man. White beans contain 17 grams of protein per 1-cup of cooked beans.

What bean is closest to white beans? ›

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.

Why are white beans so cheap? ›

Legumes are very cheap foods thanks to simple cultivation methods. At the same time, they also come from strong, resistant plants less susceptible to climate variations, which keeps the production costs of peas, beans or lentils quite low.

Which white beans are creamiest? ›

Baby Lima Beans

They're more likely to be referred to by name, however, or called butter beans. They're creamy and buttery when they're cooked, hence their nickname. Because of their soft texture, they work well to make dips or include in a soup, stew, or even a casserole where you don't want a hard bean.

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.

How do you get used to eating beans? ›

Start by eating 2 to 4 tablespoons of beans per day, and gradually increase consumption to the ½ cup per day recommendation. Drink more water each day as you eat more beans. When soaking dry bean before cooking, change the water several times.

How do you adjust to beans in your diet? ›

Gradual increase in bean intake to avoid digestive issues

To gradually increase your bean intake, start with smaller portions and slowly increase them over time. 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.

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