Bean Trio Recipe

This delicious Bean Trio recipe is a simple and hearty meal perfect for cozy dinners or easy meal prep. With rich, comforting flavors from Tex-Mex, Cajun, and classic bean dishes, it offers flexibility with common pantry ingredients. The recipe’s key feature is its versatility—serve it with creamy guacamole, crispy bacon, or fresh green onions!

Recipe Ingredients:

Best Basic Beans:

• 1 pound pinto beans, rinsed
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Cheddar
• 1/4 cup diced red onion

Tex-Mex Beans:

• 1 cup jarred jalapenos with juice
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• Hot sauce, to taste
• 1/2 cup guacamole
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1/2 cup sour cream

Cajun Beans:

• 6 ounces andouille sausage, diced
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon crushed chile flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground thyme
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

How To Make Bean Trio Recipe?

1. Prepare the Beans: Cover the pinto beans with cold water, allowing the water to rise 2.5 cm / 1 inch above the beans, and soak for at least 3 hours or overnight.
2. Cook the Best Basic Beans: Rinse the soaked beans and place them in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add minced garlic, chopped bacon, bay leaves, diced onion, salt, and black pepper. Add enough water to cover the beans by 2.5 cm / 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, keeping the lid slightly ajar. Simmer for 3 to 3.5 hours, or until the beans are tender and the liquid is thick.
3. Serve Best Basic Beans: Top with grated Cheddar cheese and diced red onion.
4. Make Tex-Mex Beans: Follow the Best Basic Beans recipe, adding the jarred jalapenos with juice, chili powder, and hot sauce along with the other ingredients. Simmer as instructed. Serve with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
5. Make Cajun Beans: Follow the Best Basic Beans recipe, adding the diced andouille sausage, paprika, crushed chili flakes, and ground thyme along with the other ingredients. Simmer as instructed. Garnish with sliced green onions.

Recipe Tips:

• Soak the Beans Properly: Soaking the beans for at least 3 hours (or overnight) helps them cook faster and become tender. If you’re short on time, use the quick-soak method by boiling beans for 1 minute, then letting them sit covered for 1 hour.
• Don’t Skip the Simmering: Allow the beans to simmer slowly. Rushing this step can leave your beans tough. Keep the lid slightly open to let steam escape and thicken the sauce naturally.
• Add Salt Early: Adding salt while cooking the beans helps them absorb flavor from the start. However, avoid adding acidic ingredients (like tomatoes or vinegar) until the beans are soft, as acid can slow the cooking process.
• Monitor the Water Level: Beans absorb a lot of water while cooking. Keep an eye on the pot and add more water if needed to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
• Use Fresh Spices and Herbs: Freshly ground black pepper, minced garlic, and vibrant green onions can elevate the flavor of your dish. Stale spices may not provide the same depth of flavor.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover Bean Trio cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Allow the Bean Trio to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Pour the Bean Trio into a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beans are thoroughly warmed through.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 110​
• Total Fat: 0g​
• Saturated Fat: 0g​
• Cholesterol: 0mg​
• Sodium: 130mg​
• Total Carbohydrate: 19g​
• Dietary Fiber: 9g​
• Sugars: 0.5g​
• Protein: 7g

Check out More Recipes:

• Basic Brown Beans Recipe
• Basic Pepperoni Pizza And Four Cheese Pizza
• Barbecue Meatballs Recipe