36 Anything-But-Basic Bean Recipes

This bean salad celebrates all the bold flavors of the hot chili we enjoy during the year's colder months. Three kinds of beans are tossed with a vinaigrette made with tomato paste- and spice-infused oil (which gives the salad surprising depth of flavor). Stir a dollop of sour cream into the chilled salad to cut through some of the spiciness.

If you have yet to cook beans from scratch and own a slow cooker, this is the recipe for you! It comes together with pantry ingredients, requires minimal prep and thanks to the slow cooker, you’ll be rewarded with plump, perfectly tender beans with almost zero hands-on time. (Navy beans would also work well here.) Seasoned with warm spices and pickled jalapenos, they are a great side dish. Or serve them over rice or with warm tortillas as a meal.

All the flavors of a classic BLT sandwich come together in this hearty bean salad. The homemade herb-mayo dressing adds freshness while the crisp bacon and croutons add a welcomed crunch. It's a great way to use up those pantry beans in a summery salad you'll want to enjoy all year round.

Ree says, "Before I met my husband, I was a vegetarian. I don't make many meatless dishes on our cattle ranch, but I still love this one." And it’s easy to see why: hearty black beans, chili powder, hot sauce and melty cheese. Yum!