This post was sponsored by BUSH’S® Savory Beans as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
I love to find ways to incorporate more wholesome, filling foods into our daily diets. Beans definitely fit that criteria. I have found 10 ways to add more beans to meal time at my house.
10 Ways To Add More Beans to Meal Time
I am a busy mom and I don't want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen. Shortcuts are my speciality, LOL. When I am cooking meals I am always looking at ideas for side dishes or other ways to bulk up dinner.
Beans are the perfect food for a side dish or to just add more umph to a main dish meal. Plus these ideas don't take much time to accomplish!
BUSH’S® Savory Beans
I got really excited when I was shopping at Walmart and spotted the new BUSH’S® Savory Beans.
I have been buying BUSH'S beans for as long as I can remember because let's face it…they are an expert at beans! This company is still family owned after 110 years!!!!
BUSH'S Savory beans make my life easier because they are heat and eat! The high quality beans are slow simmered in amazing, savory sauces and I don't have to add anything to the pot at all!!
There are three yummy flavors: BUSH'S Black Bean Fiesta, BUSH'S Southwestern Style Pinto Beans and BUSH'S Southern Style White Beans.
Let's just say that these savory beans are making it even easier for me to add more beans to my diet without sacrificing my valuable time.
Beans as a Stand Alone Side Dish
Gone are the days when kids have to turn up their noses at boring old beans. Beans make a wonderful stand alone side dish to basically any meal.
I am adding BUSH'S Savory Beans as a side dish to burgers, pork loin and really ANYTHING at all!
Adding these savory beans doesn't take me any extra time because I can just heat them in the microwave or on the stove-top and they are ready to eat.
They are perfect for our busy weeknight meals. Plus I am a happy parent knowing I am giving my kids simple, honest ingredients.
Beans as a Nacho Topping
Yes my family eats nachos for dinner on a fairly regular basis. Before you judge me, realize that it is possible to make nachos a halfway decent meal! 🙂
We each take a pie tin and put a layer of tortilla chips on it. Then we top the chips with meat–grilled chicken, ground beef, steak strips, etc. Then we add some BUSH'S Black Bean Fiesta Savory Beans and some shredded cheese.
Bake the nachos for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. When we take the pans out of the oven we add veggies like diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapenos, lettuce, etc.
Top with a little salsa, sour cream and possibly some guacamole and you are set for a full meal. I love how the beans bring that added fiber to this easy dinner idea.
More Beans in Chili
Chili is a staple on our meal plan year round. We don't wait for cold weather, LOL. I have always added beans to my chili recipe.
When our family started to grow and our food budget got tighter I started adding even more beans! It is a simple way to bulk the chili up without having to buy more expensive beef.
The BUSH'S Southwestern Style Pinto Beans are bringing even more flavor to my chili and I love the added fiber I am getting in each bowl. I typically add 3 cans to each pot of chili I make.
Bean Dip
It is always nice to know what you are eating. If you make your own dips and sauces you know exactly what is inside each bite.
Bean dip is a really simple side dish that works great for lunches. It could even stand alone as the main part of your lunch due to the protein the dip has.
It is easy to make your own bean dip. I have made black bean dip in the pressure cooker before and it turns out great especially for a crowd. BUT…I have found that I can throw a can of BUSH'S Southern Style White Beans in my food processor and end up with a delicious and FAST bean dip that tastes great with pita chips. The savory sauce in the beans has all the flavor I need.
Beans in Burritos
Lots of burritos call for refried beans. There are some people who don't care for the texture of refried beans.
Another way to add more beans to your diet is to put some pinto or black beans in the burrito. Burritos can be made lots of different ways. BUSH'S Savory Beans are perfect for adding the beans and some extra flavor to the burrito.
Beans in Salads
Salads have gotten so creative over the past few years. Beans have become a popular addition to many salads.
One salad I especially like to add beans to is my taco salad. I love, love, love the way black beans taste in a taco salad.
I have seen white beans used in Mediterranean themed salads a lot and that sounds fantastic.
Beans in Burgers
I will be honest and say that a complete and total vegetarian burger is not my first choice. Now if you add some beans to ground turkey and form that into a burger—sign me up!
Beans are a great way to bring protein and bulk to a burger without the high calories that beef can bring to the table. It also brings a really nice texture to the burger.
Don't forget to try your burger with lettuce leaves instead of a bun for a healthy change.
Beans in Soup
We eat a LOT of soup at my house. My slow cooker and I are besties and soup is one of my favorite things to make in the slow cooker.
Many of my soup recipes can have beans added to them and it only enhances the soup.
Beans are a very inexpensive ingredient to add to soup and it will go so much further. I like to add beans to my taco soup recipe, enchilada soup and many more!
Beans in Dessert
Beans don't sound like a traditional ingredient in desserts, BUT times have changed. Versatility is really what beans are all about and they have become the star of many dessert recipes.
I have personally made and eaten black bean brownies and was amazed at how good they were. There is a wonderful recipe for Black Beans Dark Chocolate Brownies on the BUSH'S Best website that you need to try!
Beans in Salsa
Have you heard about salsa recipes that are chunky and don't require food processing? Well, these salsa recipes are gaining a lot of popularity.
They are popular because they taste great and are easy to make. This delightful Black Bean Salsa recipe would work with regular BUSH'S Black Beans or you can add even more flavor by using the new BUSH'S Black Bean Fiesta Savory Beans!
It is easy to make up your own bean salsa recipe. Just add your choice of beans, diced veggies of your choice and some seasonings. Serve this up with chips or veggie strips.
How Will You Add More Beans to Meal Time?
I have given you 10 ways to add more beans to meal time. What are your favorite ideas? Do you have a great tip for adding more beans to your family's diet?
Let me know which new BUSH'S Savory Beans variety you like best when you pick some up from Walmart! Be sure to check out the BUSH'S Beans Instagram page for great recipe inspiration!
- More Weight Watchers Changes in 2023 - March 25, 2023
- Printable Easter Bunny Note to Child - March 20, 2023
- Easter Egg Filler Ideas for Adults - March 13, 2023
Leave a Reply