10+ Kidney Beans Recipes for Delicious and Easy Meals

Kidney beans are a nutritious and versatile ingredient that can enhance many dishes. They have a rich flavor and high protein content, making them perfect for soups, stews, and salads.

In this article, you’ll discover different recipes that showcase kidney beans in tasty ways. Whether you want a hearty curry or a refreshing salad, there are options to satisfy your cravings. Embrace the creativity of cooking with kidney beans and enjoy their many health benefits!

1) Classic Rajma Masala

Classic Rajma Masala is a tasty and comforting dish made from kidney beans. You’ll love how the beans soak up the rich flavors of spices and tomatoes.

Start by cooking chopped onions, ginger, and garlic in oil until they are golden. Then add spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala for warmth. Stir in diced tomatoes and let it simmer.

Add in cooked or canned kidney beans and mix well. Cook this for a while to allow the flavors to blend. Serve it hot with rice or naan for a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup kidney beans (soaked overnight)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle.
3. Add chopped onions and sauté until golden.
4. Stir in ginger-garlic paste; cook for 1 minute.
5. Add chopped tomatoes and spices. Cook until soft.
6. Stir in kidney beans; mix well.
7. Simmer for 15-20 minutes.
8. Serve hot with rice or naan.

2) Cajun Red Beans and Rice

Cajun Red Beans and Rice is a classic dish that’s both hearty and flavorful. This dish is especially popular in Louisiana and has roots in Creole cooking.

To start, you’ll use red kidney beans, which give the dish its name. Adding andouille sausage adds a smoky flavor that complements the beans well.

The use of Cajun seasoning really brings everything together. Serve it over fluffy white rice for a filling meal that warms you up.

Ingredients

• 1 pound red kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups cooked white rice

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the beans overnight, then drain them.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil and sauté onion, celery, and bell pepper until soft.
3. Add garlic and andouille sausage, cooking for a few more minutes.
4. Stir in the beans, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low heat for about 1.5 hours.
6. Serve hot over cooked white rice. Enjoy!

3) Creamy Coconut Kidney Bean Curry

This creamy coconut kidney bean curry is quick and easy to make. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and packed with flavor. You’ll love how cozy and filling it is.

For this dish, you’ll need kidney beans, coconut milk, and spices like curry powder. The sweetness of the coconut milk blends well with the hearty beans. You can add tomatoes for extra flavor too.

Serve it warm over rice or with bread. Enjoy each bite of this delicious and comforting meal!

Ingredients

• 2 cans kidney beans, drained
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, sauté onions and garlic until soft.
2. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they break down.
3. Stir in kidney beans, bell pepper, and curry powder.
4. Pour in coconut milk and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve hot.

4) Mexican Refried Kidney Beans

Mexican refried kidney beans are a tasty and easy dish you can make at home. They pair well with tacos, burritos, or as a side dish. You can whip them up in just a few minutes!

To get started, you will need cooked kidney beans. You can use canned beans for convenience. Just drain and rinse them before using.

A few simple spices like chili powder and garlic powder will give your beans great flavor. Sauté some onion in olive oil to add sweetness and depth.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked kidney beans (canned or boiled)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the kidney beans and spices.
4. Mash the beans to your desired consistency.
5. Cook until heated through and serve warm.

5) Kidney Bean and Vegetable Soup

Making kidney bean and vegetable soup is a simple and tasty option for any meal. This soup is packed with nutritious ingredients and is easy to prepare.

Start by sautéing your favorite vegetables in a pot. You can use carrots, onions, and celery for a great base. Then, add canned kidney beans and diced tomatoes for flavor.

Pour in vegetable broth and season with herbs. Let it simmer until the veggies are tender. For a creamy touch, mix in some parmesan cheese before serving hot.

Ingredients

• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté carrots, onion, and celery until soft.
3. Add kidney beans and tomatoes; stir well.
4. Pour in vegetable broth and add salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Stir in parmesan cheese if desired, then serve hot.

6) Red Kidney Bean Salad with Mayo

Red kidney bean salad with mayo is a simple and tasty dish you can whip up quickly. This salad works well as a cold side dish for any meal.

To start, you’ll mix together some mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Then, add diced onions and celery for crunch. Fold in the drained red kidney beans carefully.

Let the salad chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to enhance the flavors. Serve it cold for a refreshing taste!

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 ounces each) red kidney beans, drained
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ onion, diced
• 1 stalk celery, diced

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir in diced onions and celery.
3. Add the drained kidney beans and fold gently.
4. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
5. Serve cold.

7) Vegan Chili with Kidney Beans

Vegan chili with kidney beans is a filling and tasty meal. It’s perfect for chilly days and easy to make. You can customize the ingredients based on what you have at home.

Start by cooking some onions and garlic in a pot. Then, add chopped bell peppers and carrots for extra flavor. Next, mix in canned tomatoes, kidney beans, and your favorite spices like cumin and chili powder.

Let it simmer for about 20 minutes. This gives all the flavors time to blend together beautifully. Serve your chili hot with some crusty bread or over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pot over medium heat and add onions and garlic.
2. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add bell pepper and carrot, cooking for another 5 minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes, kidney beans, chili powder, and cumin.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Serve hot with bread or rice.

8) Stewed Kidney Beans with Spices

Stewed kidney beans with spices create a flavorful and satisfying dish. This recipe highlights the natural goodness of the beans, enhanced by various spices. You can enjoy these beans as a main meal or a side dish.

To start, gather your ingredients. These beans soak in a rich, savory broth that is simple to make. A blend of garlic, thyme, and a spicy pepper adds depth and warmth.

For the best results, slow-cook your beans on the stovetop. This method allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried red kidney beans
• 8-9 cups water
• 4-6 cloves garlic, smashed
• 5 sprigs thyme
• 1 wiri wiri pepper (or any spicy pepper)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the kidney beans in water overnight.
2. Drain and rinse the beans.
3. In a large pot, combine beans, water, garlic, thyme, and pepper.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Cook for about 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
6. Add salt and stir. Enjoy your flavorful dish!

9) Spicy Sausage and Bean One-Pot

This spicy sausage and bean one-pot dish is a flavorful and satisfying meal. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner and easy to prepare.

Start by heating olive oil in a large pot. Add sliced sausages and cook until they are nicely browned. Next, toss in diced onions and minced garlic for added flavor.

Once the onions are soft, add kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and your favorite spices. Let everything simmer for a bit to blend the flavors. This dish is ready in about 30 minutes, making it a quick meal option.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound spicy sausage, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
2. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned.
3. Stir in diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until soft.
4. Add kidney beans, diced tomatoes, paprika, salt, and pepper.
5. Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

10) Homemade Baked Kidney Beans

Homemade baked kidney beans are a tasty and comforting dish. They are perfect for family gatherings or as a side for your main meals. This recipe gives the beans a sweet and tangy flavor that everyone will love.

To start, you will need to soak the kidney beans overnight. This helps them cook better and makes them easier to digest. Then, mix in ingredients like sugar, molasses, and mustard for that rich taste.

You’ll bake them in the oven for a few hours to let all the flavors blend. The result is a hearty dish that pairs well with bread or rice.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs kidney beans, cleaned
• ½ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup molasses
• 6 teaspoons dry mustard
• 2 teaspoons salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 large onion, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the kidney beans overnight in water.
2. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
3. Drain the beans and combine them with the other ingredients.
4. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
5. Cover and bake for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Enjoy!