From weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings, our seasoning blend makes it easy to whip up flavorful meals without the fuss. Here are five delicious ways to use it—each one packed with comfort, convenience, and plenty of soul:

1. Kentucky Burgoo

This hearty, stew-like dish brings together pork, chicken, and vegetables with a savory white bean base. It’s a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal that’s perfect for feeding a crowd—made even easier with the help of our time-saving seasoning blend.

2. Instant Pot White Bean Cauliflower Broccoli Soup

Creamy, cozy, and loaded with veggies, this Instant Pot soup is a weeknight lifesaver. With cauliflower, broccoli, and our White Bean Flavor Infusion, it’s a flavorful, feel-good meal that even picky eaters will enjoy.

3. Instant Pot Cajun White Beans

Short on time but still want that authentic, slow-simmered flavor? This Instant Pot version of Cajun white beans comes together quickly but tastes like it cooked all day. The Flavor Infusion does the heavy lifting, bringing that perfect balance of heat and depth.

4. Stovetop Cajun White Beans

Prefer to cook the traditional way? This stovetop version lets you enjoy all the cozy smells and the gentle simmer of beans on the stove. This all-in-one seasoning pouch blends right in for a foolproof, flavor-forward finish.

5. Creole Baked White Beans

Think baked beans are just for BBQ? Think again. This Creole-inspired version bakes white beans with rich tomato flavor and savory seasoning for a dish that works as a main or a side. It’s bold, hearty, and deeply satisfying—made even better with the rich flavor built right into the infusion blend.

Simple, Savory, and Full of Soul

No matter how you cook it—Instant Pot, stovetop, or oven—our White Bean Flavor Infusion delivers real Creole flavor without the extra steps. It’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free, non-GMO, and made without artificial colors, flavors, or MSG. Just clean, reliable flavor you can count on.

Grab a bag of white beans, drop in the Flavor Infusion, and let the pot do the rest.

Shop White Bean Flavor Infusion now

Packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, beans are a pantry staple that stretch your dollar without sacrificing taste or nutrition. Here are five easy, hearty meals featuring our Camellia Brand beans that are perfect for the busy back-to-school hustle.

Vegetarian Pinto Bean Chili

A cozy chili is always a win when the week feels long. This Vegetarian Pinto Bean Chili is a meatless marvel that’s hearty enough to satisfy everyone at the table. Made with pantry staples and plenty of spices, it’s a great make-ahead meal that reheats beautifully—perfect for lunchboxes, busy weeknights, or freezing in portions for later.

Budget Tip: Bulk it up with frozen corn, extra beans, or chopped zucchini for even more servings.

Instant Pot Pinto Beans with Ham Hocks

If you’ve got an Instant Pot, this one’s a no-brainer. Pinto Beans with Ham Hocks come together quickly in the pressure cooker and deliver deep, smoky flavor with minimal effort. Serve over rice, scoop into a thermos for a hot lunch, or use leftovers in tacos or burritos.

Budget Tip: Ham hocks are affordable and flavor-packed. Can’t find them? Try smoked turkey necks or a splash of liquid smoke.

Simple Southern Lima Beans

This recipe is the definition of Southern comfort food. Simple Southern Lima Beans are simmered low and slow with just a few ingredients, but they’re anything but plain. Creamy, filling, and soul-warming, these beans are great as a main dish or as a side.

Budget Tip: Serve over rice or cornbread to stretch this meal even further. Add a green veggie and you’ve got a complete dinner.

Beans & Greens Soup

When you’re craving something nourishing and light, this Beans & Greens Soup hits the spot. It’s packed with leafy greens, creamy beans, and comforting broth—perfect for thermos lunches or after-school pick-me-ups. It’s also endlessly customizable based on what’s in your fridge.

Budget Tip: Use frozen greens instead of fresh, and toss in leftover veggies from the week to avoid waste.

Pantry Red Beans & Rice

No time for a grocery run? No problem. This Pantry Red Beans & Rice recipe uses shelf-stable ingredients to bring you all the flavor of the classic dish in a super budget-conscious way. It’s quick, easy, and the ultimate meal prep hero.

Budget Tip: Double the batch and freeze portions for future meals. Serve with hot sauce and pickled veggies for a quick flavor boost.

Make Beans a Back-to-School Staple

From chili to soups to Southern classics, beans are a smart way to fuel your family through the school year. They’re nutritious, filling, and incredibly versatile—plus, they’re easy on your wallet when grocery bills start to pile up.

So stock up your pantry, pull out your favorite pot, and get cooking. Your future self (and your back-to-school budget) will thank you.

With so many options to choose from, it wasn’t easy to select the top ten bean dishes of 2023! But here they are – flavorful favorites you’ll return to again and again. From traditional Creole and Cajun dishes to soups, appetizers, snacks, and more, there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy.

Shrimp & White Bean Soup

This heartwarming classic features sweet Louisiana shrimp. Make it with your favorite white beans – whether they’re Great Northerns, Cannellinis, or Navy beans.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans for 2

Fast and easy, our Red Beans for 2 brings authentic Louisiana comfort food to your kitchen with small-batch cooking in your pressure cooker or Instant Pot.

White Bean Soup with Tasso, Winter Squash & Chard

This one’s a winter weeknight favorite that’s delicious, easy to make, and a great meal-prep recipe.

Southern Quesadillas

Oh-so-southern, these blackeye pea quesadillas are a tasty twist on the Tex-Mex version.

Blackeye Peas and Jammy Eggs

The creamy yolk from soft-boiled eggs mixes with blackeye peas for a delightfully savory flavor.

Field Pea Caviar

This colorful, southern caviar makes a great dip, snack, or side.

Braised Lady Peas

This classic southern dish will be a welcome accompaniment to any dinner table. A touch of tang and crunch from pickled onions hits the spot.

White Beans with a Cajun Accent

Whether it’s for a casual Sunday supper or a larger family gathering, a big pot of White Beans with Tasso and Ham is a crowd pleaser.

Red Bean Huevos Rancheros

A different take on the usual Huevos Rancheros, this delicious dish switches out traditional refried beans with tasty refried red beans.

Chocolate Hummus

Try this  healthy, vegan chocolate treat. Just add graham crackers, pretzels, or fruit for dipping.

Pantry Red Beans & Rice

This simplified recipe makes tasty red beans by relying solely on pantry staples and spices, and it comes together quickly in the Instant Pot.

Dump & Go: Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

This recipe lets your slow cooker do the work, with no hands-on attention required and no soaking. Just dump everything in, set it, and forget it.

Easy Instant Pot Red Beans & Rice

Yes, you can sauté the trinity in oil first before adding the rest of the ingredients, but you can also just dump everything in and cook on high pressure.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice

Fast, easy, and delicious in every way — this Instant Pot recipe deserves to be made year round.

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

With this versatile recipe, some steps can be made ahead or skipped altogether. It’s a great slow cooker recipe to keep in your back pocket.

Stovetop Creole Red Beans

Our Red Bean Flavor Infusion is a tried-and-true blend of authentic Creole spices and vegetables, and it’s a great way to quickly and easily season a pot red beans to perfection.

Get ready for a week’s worth of delicious meals full of versatile, plant-based protein. With great make-ahead bean recipes and so many ways to serve them, you’ll fill your fridge and satisfy your family – whether they’re hungry for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Below, find our make-ahead favorites – cooked on the stovetop and in the Instant Pot – plus lots of tips and recipes that use those beans in everything from snacks and dips to tacos, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. Read on for a nutritious taste of what’s on the menu.

Easy Make-Ahead Pinto Beans

This is an easy stovetop pinto bean recipe that yields 5 cups of perfectly cooked beans. Toss some of those cooked pintos into hearty Bean & Bacon Breakfast Tacos with scrambled eggs and shredded cheese, and start your day off right. 

Bean & Bacon Breakfast Tacos

Want lots more ways to use those savory pintos? Find out how to turn 1 pot of pintos into 5 meals. 

Instant Pot Black Beans

This recipe is super fast and cooks a pot of beans with no hands-on attention required. Take 1 ½ cups of the cooked black beans, and whip up a Black Bean Quinoa Salad with corn, red bell pepper, and spices for a tasty, protein-packed lunch.

Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Still hungry? Check out Easy Instant Pot Black Beans = 3 Delicious Dishes for more ways to use them.

Instant Pot White Beans

This basic recipe is perfect for flavorful beans that can be used in many different ways. One of our favorites is White Bean Hummus – cool and creamy, with a slight green tint from the addition of fresh parsley and green onions. Enjoy it as an anytime, healthy snack.

White Bean Hummus

Put all those white beans to good use. Check out how to turn 1 pot of white beans into 5 dishes.

Why not get creative with your make-ahead beans? With more tasty recipes like Easy Refried Beans, Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, White Bean Pesto Pasta, and Tuna White Bean Salad, the possibilities are endless.

Lima Beans with Shrimp & Andouille

Three southern staples star in this often-asked-for, easy-to-make dish. Cooked low and slow on the stovetop, it’ll make the whole house smell amazing.

Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham Hock and Sausage

An easy Instant Pot recipe perfect for a hectic Monday, this dish offers up delicious red beans in about an hour.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Red Beans

Like to throw everything in the slow cooker and let it do its magic? Next time you need to feed a crowd, this vegetarian recipe’s for you.

Bourbon-Bacon Field Peas with Collards

Creamy and decadent, these field peas cooked with bourbon and bacon are excellent alongside your favorite fried chicken.

Instant Pot Lima Beans & Greens Soup

Versatile and customizable, this homey beans & greens soup will make you feel all warm and cozy.

Slow Cooker Cheesy Refried Bean Dip

A gameday essential, this refried bean dip delivers a win every time.

Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

A cookbook favorite from our friend Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, this recipe guarantees a thick, rich pot of pintos.

Slow Cooker White Bean & Chicken Chili

An extra step in this slow cooker recipe makes all the creamy difference. Try it, and you’ll agree.

Jalapeño Pepper Jelly Baked Beans

Mmm. Bacon, barbecue sauce, and a whole jar jalapeño pepper jelly make this one of the most flavorful baked bean dishes we’ve ever tasted.

Cowboy Caviar with Blackeye Peas

A perfect side dish or party dip, Cowboy Caviar is beloved by all.

Old-Fashioned Chili

A traditional chili that will soon be on your most-requested list. Featuring ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, our signature Red Kidney Beans, and an array of spices and seasonings, it’s got all the makings of a family favorite.

Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham Hock and Sausage

An easy Instant Pot recipe with so much meaty goodness, this dish is perfect for Mondays, Gamedays and more.

Southern-Style Vegetarian Blackeye Peas

Cooked with white wine, vegetable stock, and fresh herbs, these vegetarian blackeye peas will win rave reviews. Topped off with apple cider vinegar and served with collard greens, they’ve got great downhome flavor.

Pinto Bean and Kale Enchiladas with Spicy Tomatillo Salsa

These savory, cheesy enchiladas are worth every bit of effort that goes into making them. You can make the spicy tomatillo sauce and the pinto bean filling ahead of time, then assemble all and bake the enchiladas the day you want to enjoy them.

Jalapeño Pepper Jelly Baked Beans

BBQ baked beans like these are always welcome alongside your best burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. The addition of a jar of jalapeño peppery jelly is both ingenious and delicious.

Slow Cooker Black Bean and Pumpkin Chili

The perfect post-Thanksgiving chili, this slow cooker favorite features Black Beans, cubed, cooked turkey, and pumpkin puree (which adds surprisingly creamy, savory flavor). It’s a cinch to throw together, too.

Kid-Friendly Instant Pot Pasta Fagioli

Great for chilly nights, this stick-to-your-ribs staple includes great northern beans, red kidneys, and Dagostino Fleur de Lis Shaped Pasta. Just add a salad and your favorite crusty bread for a complete meal.

Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Ham Hock and Sausage

A new Instant Pot recipe from our friends at Taste of the South, this hearty Monday meal made with smoked ham hocks and sausage is sure to start the week off right.

Southern-Style Vegetarian Blackeye Peas

These vegetarian Blackeye Peas are simple to make in the Instant Pot but full of complex flavor! Serve with collard greens, and you’ve got a great meal that’ll please even the pickiest one in your bunch.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

A slow cooker chili that does all the work for you, this dish offers up lots of healthy plant-based protein with very little effort.

Senate Bean Soup

When there’s a chill in the air, and it’s starting to feels like fall, pull out the pressure cooker and whip up this easy soup made with Lady Cream Peas and ham hocks. Mmm. (Feel free to sub Navy beans, if you prefer.)

The post No-Brainers: Busy Weeknight Favorites first appeared on Camellia Brand.]]> https://www.camelliabrand.com/no-brainers-back-to-school-bean-favorites/feed/ 0 https://www.camelliabrand.com/three-cheers-for-the-best-gameday-chili-recipes/ https://www.camelliabrand.com/three-cheers-for-the-best-gameday-chili-recipes/#respond Mon, 16 Aug 2021 17:04:17 +0000 https://www.camelliabrand.com/?p=42489 Nothing beats a big pot of chili on the menu for gameday gatherings and football-watching, and these tasty recipes offer read more ...

Nothing beats a big pot of chili on the menu for gameday gatherings and football-watching, and these tasty recipes offer something for everyone. Hearty and delicious, chili is one of those versatile, customizable dishes that can be tailored to your krewe’s tastes and made just the way you like it – whether that’s slowly simmering on the stovetop, thrown into a set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker, or cooked quickly in an Instant Pot. Plus, everyone can serve themselves a big bowl, add their favorite toppings, and go back for seconds! We’d say that’s a win-win for the cook and the fans.

Check out these favorite gameday chili recipes:

Instant Pot Pinto Bean Chili

This recipe’s easy to customize using ground beef, turkey or chicken. Pro tip: Quick soaking the pinto beans means your chili will cook faster, and the beans will be more uniformly tender.

Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

From Taste of the South magazine, this easy slow cooker recipe highlights a great combo of vegetarian flavors and spices, including smoky chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and Hatch green chiles.

Creole-Style Pork and Red Bean Chili

Featuring spicy pork sausage (with the optional addition of pork tenderloin, for a milder flavor), this recipe is little more time-intensive but totally worth the wait! It’s the perfect chili for Louisiana football fans.

Old Fashioned Chili with Beans

Made with ground beef, our signature red kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and a slew of spices, this classic chili recipe will soon become a new favorite.

Slow Cooker White Bean & Chicken Chili

Versatile, creamy, and perfectly seasoned, you’ll love this chili for its big flavor. Throw it in the slow cooker, or make the stovetop version – whatever works best for you.

The post Three Cheers for the Best Gameday Chili Recipes first appeared on Camellia Brand.]]>

Whether you’re trying to keep your kitchen cool this summer, or you’re spending more time out and about (and not thinking about cooking), rely on these top Instant Pot favorites for no-brainer weeknight meals. These dishes check all the boxes: 1) they come together quickly, 2) they keep the heat contained inside the Instant Pot, and 3) they’re hands-free, so you can chill out while dinner cooks itself.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice

Talk about the perfect recipe for a summer Monday! It’s Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice for the win. All the creamy goodness, none of the stovetop simmering.

Instant Pot Lima Beans & Greens Soup

Throw in your favorite chopped veggies and onions, whatever broth you have on hand, and large lima beans. The Instant Pot does the heavy lifting, and you stir in greens at the end. What could be easier for summer comfort?

Instant Pot White Bean Chili

A fast and delicious chicken chili recipe, this one’s great for weeknights as well as weekends. Let everyone top their own chili with chopped cilantro, green onions, avocado, and shredded cheddar cheese.

Instant Pot Black Beans

This basic recipe makes versatile black beans that can be used in Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Black Bean Quinoa Salad, and Black Bean Hummus, and more. Quick, cheap, healthy, and more flavorful than canned beans!

Instant Pot White Beans

Cook up super easy white beans, and toss them into White Bean Hummus, White Bean Pesto Pasta, White Bean Veggie Burgers, and more. Deliciously simple and adaptable.

It’s snack time. Let’s air-fry some chickpeas!
Air fryers are the latest popular kitchen gadget, and for good reason. Cooking with an air fryer has so many advantages! First, foods that are generally fried in a deep fryer can be prepared in the air fryer with the same taste and ease, but with way less calories and fat. Even if you’re not preparing fried foods, air fryers are a great way to get crispy roasted veggies and juicy meat without using as much oil.

Air fryers are essentially countertop convection ovens. Like a convection oven, air fryers circulate hot air around the food you are preparing to ensure foods are crisp and browned on the outside, but still juicy on the inside. Some of the perks of using an air fryer versus a traditional oven are that you often don’t have to preheat them at all, taking away the wait time. For those that do need to preheat, the time is still minimal compared to a normal oven. If you are cooking recipes where the desired outcome is crisp and browned, such as roasting, you will have much more success in an air fryer. Cooking in an air fryer leads to a much more even result, with less turning or basting necessary as the heat is evenly distributed around the food. Air fryers are also great for slow roasting small items when you don’t want to heat your entire oven up!

Crispy bites the whole family will love.
Whether you are craving something salty or sweet, crispy garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) make a delicious, healthy snack the whole family will love. Try our Spicy New Orleans Air Fryer Chickpeas for a salty snack with a kick, or if you prefer to satisfy your sweet tooth, make some Texas Honey Air Fryer Chickpeas. Crispy chickpeas are a great snack to have on hand for cravings throughout the week or to serve at your next gathering. You can also use them as a crunchy salad topping!

For these crispy chickpea recipes, the air fryer was perfect. The air fryer’s convection-style heat first helped dry out the chickpeas, leading to a much crispier, more satisfying result than cooking these guys in the oven. To make them perfectly crispy, you will want to set the heat high to dry them out in the air fryer for a few minutes after they are cooked in your Instant Pot. Once they are dried out, they will need a little bit of oil, but not too much. Opening the basket and spraying them with cooking oil and giving the basket a quick shake to toss them is all you need. Once they are done cooking, just toss them with your preferred seasoning for the perfect, healthy snack.

Whether you’re vegan or vegetarian, or simply interested in adding more meatless bean recipes to your regular rotation, you’ll want to stash these delicious dishes in your back pocket. From versatile basics and hearty soups to bean salads, dips, and a red beans & rice favorite — these recipes offer up a lot of flavorful bean goodness without the meat.

Instant Pot White Beans

This foolproof Instant Pot recipe is perfect for flavorful beans that can be enjoyed as is, or used in dishes like White Bean Hummus, White Bean Pesto Pasta, and White Bean Veggie Burgers.

Cajun Caviar

Serve with chips as a dip, over greens as a salad, or wrapped up in a tortilla for quick lunch. Works well with any combo of Camellia Brand beans and peas you like.

White Bean & Spinach Soup

Fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary make this soup fragrant, while wilted leafy greens add a pop of color. Warm and satisfying!

Hummus

A classic recipe for traditional hummus, made with fresh lemon juice and tahini. Because homemade is always better than store-bought, and saves money, too.

Vegetarian Louisiana-Style Red Beans & Rice

Liquid smoke adds wonderful savory flavor to meatless red beans & rice. Remember, a little goes a long way!

Blackeye Pea Salad

A delicious recipe from our friend, Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, this dish comes to life with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette and red pepper flakes.

Beans & Greens Soup

We say any beans & greens mixture is a match made in heaven, and this soup is no exception. This brilliant “master” recipe is meant to be personalized to your tastes.

Instant Pot Black Beans

This versatile recipe makes flavorful beans that can be served over rice with your favorite toppings — or used in other vegetarian dishes like Black Bean Quinoa Salad, Black Bean Hummus, and Black Bean Burgers.

Vegetarian Pinto Bean Chili

One of the easiest chili recipes around, this one comes together quickly and will stick to your ribs.

Flourless Black Bean Brownies

A vegetarian treat that’s rich, fudgy, and yep, features black beans.

Instant Pot Southern Large Limas with Ham Hocks

An Instant Pot favorite with slow-cooked flavor, this recipe offers all the comforts of home.

Bourbon-Bacon Field Peas with Collards

Featuring both bourbon and bacon, this field peas dish will win over everyone with great taste. Be sure to serve it alongside fried chicken.

Simple Slow Cooker Blackeye Peas

Nothing’s more foolproof than this slow cooker blackeye peas recipe. No hands-on attention needed!

Mosquito Supper Club White Beans

This recipe and photo are excerpted from Mosquito Supper Club by Melissa Martin (Artisan Books). Copyright © 2020. Photographs by Denny Culbert.

Hailing from Chef Melissa Martin of the Mosquito Supper Club, this recipe celebrates authentic Cajun cuisine, just like her restaurant does.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style White Beans

Another recipe to turn to when you’re short on time, this Instant Pot dish will taste like it simmered all day.

Zydeco Chop-Chop Red Beans & Rice

No fresh vegetables on hand? No problem. If you’ve got Zydeco Chop Chop, you’ve got great red beans & rice.

Instant Pot White Bean Chili

Fast, comforting, and delicious, this Instant Pot white chicken chili recipe warms the belly — whether it’s a weeknight or game day.

Dump and Go: Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

This recipe relies on pre-chopped trinity and your slow cooker to do all the work. Just dump it in and go!

Soup Beans

This Appalachian dish featuring pinto beans and bacon is simple and homey.

Simple Southern Lima Beans

If you love creamy butter beans, you’ll love this dish. But don’t forget the cornbread or biscuits.

It’s the perfect time to cozy up with delicious bean soups, stews and more, so check out these easy to follow, foolproof recipe videos for fall dishes your family will love. From stovetop and slow cooker recipes to Instant Pot favorites, there’s something for everyone to dig into.

White Bean and Spinach Soup

A vegetarian soup that’s hearty and satisfying, this stovetop recipe gets big flavor from Great Northern beans, red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary and lemon juice.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Red Beans

A set-it-and-forget-it version to keep at the ready, these Red beans practically make themselves. Nothing could be easier or less stressful on a Monday.

Bourbon-Bacon Field Peas with Collards

Bourbon and bacon — with these two awesome ingredients, what’s not to love? Field peas have never tasted so good.

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

A dish that’s savory and satisfying, a ham hock’s marrow-rich flavor is the key to this winning recipe.

From Camellia Band Navy Beans and Great Northern Beans to Large Limas and more, our favorite white beans are buttery, delicious, and deserve their own day of the week. Whether you’re looking for easy Instant Pot recipes, slow simmering stovetop favorites, Cajun cuisine or something with Mexican flair, you’ll find a delicious round up of white beans here. So, let’s get cooking.   

Café Reconcile’s White Beans and Shrimp

Café Reconcile is a destination lunch spot for a lot of New Orleanians, and their famous White Beans and Shrimp dish is a local favorite.

Great Northern Beans & Ham

We can thank our friend Chef Jennifer Hill Booker for this delicious recipe. It’s from her cookbook Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent.

Creamy Bean and Collard Greens Soup

A quintessential comfort food, this Creamy Bean and Collard Greens Soup is full of Southern flavor.

Instant Pot Navy Beans

Featuring smoked sausage that’s browned right in the Instant Pot, this is a great weeknight recipe that offers big, savory flavor.

Instant Pot Southern Large Limas with Ham Hock

Lima Beans with Shrimp and Andouille

Simmering white beans with Andouille sausage brings amazing spices and seasonings to the pot, but adding fresh peeled shrimp in the last few minutes of cooking really takes this dish up a notch.

Frijoles Charros

South-Louisiana Style White Beans & Rice

Meal prepping can be a great timesaver during busy weeks. Since many of us are working and learning remotely, a little meal planning and prepping can go a long way to reduce the stress of feeding yourself and your family around the clock. The fact is, there are lots of popular ways to meal-prep, but here, we’ll focus on individually portioned meals, as well as cooked ingredients (yes, beans!) ready to be used in recipes.

The recipes and ideas below offer you quick, protein-packed lunches, help you get meals on the table faster, and cut down on weeknight cooking time. Setting aside a couple of hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon for chopping and cooking ingredients is the key to making meal prep really work. Sound like a plan? Let’s get started.

Individually Portioned Mason Jar Meals

Mason jar meals involve prepping and cooking ingredients, assembling them in mason jars, and storing in the fridge, so that they’re ready to go as soon as hunger pangs strike. Get our best tips, tricks and recipe ideas for how to keep them crisp, delicious and nutritious.

Easy Instant Pot Black Beans = 3 Delicious Dishes

Cooking a pot of beans, washing and chopping veggies, making a batch of grains, and baking some potatoes are all great ways to have cooked ingredients on hand for making different meals throughout the week. The Instant Pot offers set-it-and-forget it meal prep, making things even easier. Try Instant Pot Black Beans, Black Bean Quinoa Salad, Black Bean Hummus, and Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.

How to Turn 1 Pot of Pintos into 5 Meals

With Easy Make-Ahead Pinto Beans, it’s only a few more steps to whip up Easy Refried Beans, Pinto Bean Burrito Bowls, Chipotle Pinto Bean Tortilla Soup, Cheesy Bean Quesadillas, and Bean & Bacon Breakfast Tacos.

How to Turn 1 Pot of White Beans into 5 Dishes

With simple Instant Pot White Beans, you’ll have quickly cooked white beans that are ready to be tossed into everything from hummus to pasta. Try delicious White Bean Hummus, White Bean, Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Burgers, White Bean Pesto Pasta, Tomato & White Bean Bruschetta, and Tuna White Bean Salad.

There are three bean-approved ways to cook up delicious, scratch-made red beans and rice, and the method you choose comes down to three things: personal taste, the amount of time you have, and the appliance you prefer.

Stovetop, Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Methods

First, there’s the traditional, time-honored stovetop method of simmering all the ingredients to creamy perfection in a dutch oven pot. Then there’s the slow cooker method – or the “set it and forget it ” approach. And finally, there’s the Instant Pot or electric multi-cooker method, which pressure cooks beans in a short amount of time.

A Few Basic Ingredients & Steps = Delicious Red Beans and Rice

A little forethought and planning is all it takes to cook red beans. In fact, all three methods involve a few basic ingredients and steps: soaking the beans (which is totally optional, by the way), chopping the trinity (onions, bell pepper, and celery) or using pre-chopped trinity, slicing or chopping whatever sausage or meat you prefer, sautéing the trinity and sausage (optional for the slow cooker method), and then adding the beans, liquid, and spices. Keep in mind that there are so many different ways to deliciously flavor and season your red beans, that there is no “right” way!

Let’s look at the pros and cons of each cooking method:

1) Stovetop Red Beans & Rice

There’s simply no rushing the process of slowly simmering red beans on your stovetop. You have to set aside a few hours to do it, but it’s actually hard to get it wrong, and the only thing you need to be concerned with is making sure there’s enough liquid in the pot and stirring occasionally, so that the beans don’t burn. Everything else about the process is very forgiving. Need more liquid, just add it. Need more spice? Give it a dash here and there. Like it creamy? Keep cooking, and keep stirring. For many, gently coaxing their beans into a state of creamy perfection on the stovetop is both a pleasurable experience and a bit of kitchen therapy that they look forward to on a weekly basis.

2) Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

While you’re busy doing other things all day, the slow cooker can be busy, too – turning your red beans into a delicious meal. Get home from school or work, cook a pot of rice, and dinner is served. Slow cooking your red beans is also ideal for parade season and football season – because you can enjoy the festivities while the beans are cooking, and then keep them warm for serving right from the slow cooker. Now, you might get deeper flavor if you sauté the trinity and meat in a skillet before adding all ingredients to the slow cooker. However, if you don’t have time for that, you can literally dump and go – adding everything to the slow cooker at once, turning it on, and walking away. It usually takes anywhere from 8-10 hours using low heat and 4 hours using high heat. Some like to toss everything in the slow cooker in the morning, so that their red beans are ready by dinner time; others prefer to slow cook their red beans overnight, so that they can eat them for lunch the next day. Sometimes the end result is not as creamy as stovetop red beans, but that can usually be remedied with the use of a potato masher to thicken things up.

3) Instant Pot Red Beans & Rice

The Instant Pot is another great option for when you need to start dinner and then walk away to do other things. The beans don’t need to be pre-soaked, and you can use the sauté feature to cook the trinity and sausage first, before adding the rest of the ingredients to the pot and switching to manual mode. Setting the timer to 40 minutes at high pressure and then allowing for 20 minutes of natural pressure release is usually all you need for tender beans. And that’s pretty darn fast! Note: if there are still some not-so-tender beans here and there, simply cook at high pressure for an additional 5-10 minutes. And when you remove the lid, if there’s too much liquid remaining for your taste, put the cooker on sauté mode again, and stir occasionally. This will allow excess liquid to evaporate. All in all, using the Instant Pot is the best way to cook dried beans quickly and be able to walk away while doing it. And the ability to do everything in one appliance is icing on the cake.

Whichever way you choose to cook red beans and rice, follow our tips, and you’re bound to end up with a wonderful meal everyone will enjoy.

Camellia’s Famous New Orleans-Style White Beans & Shrimp

White beans and shrimp are a classic combination, and this recipe is one of New Orleans’ finest.

Cafe Reconcile’s White Beans & Shrimp

Festival season is upon us in Louisiana and that means creamy White Beans and Shrimp are on the menu. Cafe Reconcile’s take on it is one of our favorites.

Creole Shrimp & Red Bean Tacos

Shrimp covered in Creole seasoning, seared in a hot skillet, and served with a bit of Fresh Mex creates this a flavorful taco feast. Make with Camellia Brand Red Kidney Beans cooked in advance, and the dish comes together quickly, too.

Garlicky Shrimp & Blackeye Peas

Throughout the South, blackeye peas are popular New Year’s fare for the promise of luck and money (and because they taste so good). Good luck can grace your table all year long with this recipe.

Shrimp & Black Bean Skillet Casserole

Use make-ahead black beans, or Instant Pot Black Beans and prep your ingredients ahead of time for a one-pot, easy weeknight meal. The combination of shrimp, lime juice, cilantro, and green onions pairs perfectly with black beans and Jasmine rice, and this dish works well served hot or at room-temperature.

Camellia’s Shrimp, Andouille and White Bean Cassoulet

A labor of love, white bean cassoulet is a decadent and delicious way to savor the flavors of Louisiana and is topped off with shrimp.

Garbanzo Summer Salad with Feta and Shrimp

Fresh, colorful, and full of flavor, this hearty summer salad offers up the best of what’s in season.

Lima Beans with Shrimp and Andouille

A delicious and creamy dish, this Large Lima bean recipe comes to life when fresh shrimp are added near the end of cooking.

Grilled Corn, Shrimp and Pink Bean Salad

A perfect summer dish featuring seasonal ingredients, this pink bean salad hits the spot when you’re craving something light and flavorful.

If you’re already an Instant Pot fan, you don’t need any convincing from us that it’s a dried bean’s best friend. You know that it’s great for pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing and cooks everything from soups and meats to grains, and it bears repeating — dried beans!

Fool-Proof Pressure Cooking & More

Among its many great qualities and functions, the Instant Pot is at its core, a fool-proof pressure cooker that quickly turns dried beans into creamy goodness. Once everything is in the pot and the lid is locked, it’s hands-free cooking — with no additional effort needed.

Our Best Instant Pot Recipes

Whether you’re looking for Instant Pot inspiration, tips and nitty gritty advice (the Instant Pot does have a little bit of a learning curve), or proof that this kitchen appliance is worth every penny — check out our favorite recipes and how-to videos below. You’ll be cookin’ and eatin’ in no time.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice

/

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

Instant Pot Black Beans 3 Ways

Instant Pot Black Beans

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga & Black Bean Tacos

Instant Pot White Bean, Sausage and Tortellini Soup

Cooking Doesn’t Have to Heat Up Your Kitchen

Think it’s too hot to cook? Don’t let the summer heat keep you from getting in the kitchen and cooking your favorite meals. Keep your cool by relying on the kind of appliances that keep all their heat contained inside: slow cookers, Instant Pots, pressure cookers, or any kind of electric multi-cookers. By not using the stovetop or the oven, your kitchen stays cool.

Hands-Free Cooking = More Time with Family & Friends

These set-it-and-forget-it wonders are also perfect for summertime family meals and gatherings because they’re hands-free — leaving you plenty of time to hang out with friends and enjoy the slower pace, rather than slave over a hot stove. Simply add your ingredients, cover, and set the timer. Then sit back and relax till dinner’s ready.

Give yourself a break with these delicious recipes that practically cook themselves:

Slow Cooker Shredded Pork & Pinto Tacos

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

Slow Cooker Royal Street Red Beans

Slow Cooker Where Y’at? White Beans

Instant Pot Black Beans

Slow Cooker Charro Beans

Slow Cooker Chartres Cajun White Bean and Sausage Soup

Slow Cooker White Bean Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice

Slow Cooker Royal Street Red Beans

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

Make White Beans Your Go-To For a Week’s Worth of Meals

Whether you’re menu planning, meal-prepping, or looking for a way to add more creamy, delicious protein to your favorite dishes, an Instant Pot or pressure cooker and a pound of white beans can really do the trick — with one simple recipe that’ll give you a quick and tasty base for snacks, dips, salads and burgers. Camellia Brand Great Northern beans are especially versatile to use in a lot of different dishes because their delicate, nutty taste complements the flavors of the ingredients they’re paired with (but feel free to use Navy, Cannellini or Baby Lima beans if you prefer). Plus, they add bulk, texture and a nutritious punch to a whole host of favorites.

As always, cooking your own beans is much cheaper and more flavorful than using canned beans; in fact, a 1-pound package of Camellia Brand Great Northern Beans costs about the same as one 15-ounce can of beans, but it yields 5-6 cups of cooked beans, compared to just 1 1/2 cups per can of beans. That’s a lot more to work with when it comes to filling your fridge with a week’s worth of meals.

Instant Pot White Beans

With this incredibly simple Instant Pot recipe, you’ll get quickly cooked white beans that are ready to be tossed into everything from hummus to pasta. A little onion powder, garlic powder, salt, a bay leaf, broth or water, and a 1-pound package of rinsed Camellia Brand Great Northern Beans are all you need. Cook using the Beans/Chili mode. No soaking necessary! And in less than an hour, you’ve got tender, flavorful white beans. (Don’t have a pressure cooker? You can easily make a pot of white beans using this basic stovetop recipe — just replace the pintos with white beans.)

White Bean Hummus

Whip up a quick and tasty homemade hummus. This cool and creamy hummus features great taste and a slightly green tint from the addition of fresh parsley and green onions. Along with fresh lemon juice, tahini, cumin and a dash of cayenne, throw cooked white beans into a food processor or blender for easy, delicious flavor that’ll please a crowd. It’s perfect for snacking and spreading, especially during the warm days of summer. Serve as an appetizer with cut up fresh vegetables and crackers, add to a wrap or a sandwich, dollop on a buddha bowl, or top a green salad.

White Bean, Basil and Sun-Dried Tomato Burgers

Make your own healthy, hearty veggie burgers. Combine cooked and mashed Great Northern beans, cooked brown rice, sun-dried tomatoes and lots of fresh basil. Our recipe uses an egg and Parmesan cheese to add moisture and help bind the mixture. Roll handfuls into balls, press into patties, and refrigerate to conveniently cook later. A great vegetarian option for summer cookouts!

White Bean Pesto Pasta

Need a no-brainer weeknight meal or a hearty potluck dish for a weekend get-together? Nothing beats this White Bean Pesto Pasta for a fast, fresh-tasting, protein-packed favorite full of healthy whole grains. Cook up a pound of whole-wheat pasta, add your favorite pesto sauce, toss with cooked Great Northern beans, and top with freshly grated Parmesan. Quick, tasty, and easy.

Tomato & White Bean Bruschetta

For a great-tasting snack or party appetizer, combine cooked Great Northerns with grape tomatoes, oil, vinegar, fresh basil and garlic. A quick spread of goat cheese or cream cheese on toasted baguette slices topped with a dollop of the bean mixture is a great way to graze at a BBQ or picnic.

Tuna White Bean Salad

As a sandwich filling or salad topping, Tuna White Bean Salad is one of those simple, versatile recipes that’s a healthier twist on traditional tuna salad. It’s mayo-free — instead combining canned tuna with cooked Great Northern beans, red onion, grape tomatoes, oil, vinegar, and fresh herbs (a must). You won’t believe how light, tasty, and colorful tuna salad can be; plus, it keeps well in the fridge and makes a quick lunch or dinner.

Put the Instant Pot to Work

If you own an Instant Pot already (or another brand of electric multi-cooker), or you’re considering investing in one – check out these tips, tricks, and how-to’s that’ll help you get up to speed and get the most out of bean cooking.

Bean Cooking Tips & Tricks

No-Soak Beans

There’s a Beans/Chili button on the Instant Pot for foolproof cooking, and you can increase or decrease cook time based on preference, type of bean used, and the recipe you’re following. Try our Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice, Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks, Instant Pot White Beans, and Instant Pot Black Beans.

The Scoop on Cook Time

Know that when you use the Instant Pot to pressure cook beans, it will take the unit about 10 minutes to come up to pressure. Then, it will cook for the amount of time you’ve chosen on the keypad. And then you’ll need to allow for 20 minutes on the backend for the unit to de-pressurize using natural pressure release. While it’s not ‘instant’, it’s an awful lot faster than stovetop cooking and a great way to quickly cook weeknight bean dinners.

Note that it’s important to allow the time for natural pressure release, because that’s what ensures the beans get tender. Once it’s done, you can turn the valve to venting to let out the last spray of steam, and then open the Instant Pot and dig in.

The Sauté Feature

Use Sauté mode for cooking as you would in a skillet or a pan. Just press the Sauté button, add some oil, and add the ingredients you’d like to sauté. Sautéing your meat and vegetables before pressure cooking adds great depth of flavor that you just can’t get with a slow cooker alone. Then you can simply add the rest of the ingredients for a pressure cooking dish. The ability to use multiple cooking functions in one cooking session (such as Sauté mode and Beans/Chili high pressure mode with the Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice recipe) lets you cook everything in one appliance.

The Right Amount of Liquid

Not much liquid is lost during the high pressure cooking process, so you’ll need slightly less than when you cook beans on the stovetop. We recommend 6 cups of liquid per 1 lb. of dried beans. Take care not to overfill the unit; heat and liquid can cause some foods, like beans, to swell and expand. Only fill the pot to the fill line, and leave plenty of room to accommodate for expanding rice, beans, quinoa, and other legumes and grains.

Fast, Flavorful Rice To Pair with Your Beans

Always rinse rice first, and drain it in a fine mesh strainer. Then use a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid. Add whatever herbs or seasonings you desire, then lock on the lid, press the Rice/Risotto button and forget it. Let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes.

Quick Homemade Stock

Scratch-made stock and broth is quick and easy in the Instant Pot. Make batches of broth and freeze for future use. Use it in place of water when you cook beans; you’ll save time, money, avoid preservatives, and end up with more flavorful beans.

Instant Pot New Orleans-Style Red Beans & Rice

Instant Pot Pinto Beans & Ham Hocks

Instant Pot Black Beans

Instant Pot Chicken Tinga & Black Bean Tacos

Instant Pot White Bean, Sausage and Tortellini Soup

If you haven’t jumped on the Instant Pot bandwagon yet, it might be high time. There’s no faster way to cook a pot of beans, and it’s completely idiot-proof for those of us wary of pressure cookers. Plus, once everything’s in the pot, there’s zero effort required. Need even more convincing? It’s the quickest, easiest way we know (it only takes about 30 minutes and features a simple ‘Bean/Chili’ button!) to cook a whole lotta beans that you can then use in several delicious dishes all week long. And here’s the bottom line — cooking your own beans is just plain cheaper, tastier, and healthier than stocking your pantry with canned beans.

Our basic Instant Pot Black Beans recipe is perfect for making flavorful beans that can be used in so many ways. Serve them over rice with your favorite toppings — or use them in the following vegetarian, gluten-free dishes to add healthy protein, fiber, and hearty flavor to your weekly recipe repertoire.

Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Full of color and fresh veggies, this Black Bean Quinoa Salad is simple to make, nutritious, and great for grabbing on the go. The base is a mixture of cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, bell pepper, and green onions, tossed with a tangy dressing of olive oil, fresh lime juice, chili powder, lime zest, and garlic. The recipe makes a large batch, so you can meal prep by portioning it out in containers and taking it with you for lunch. And it’s perfect for a potluck or get-together, because it tastes wonderful whether you serve it cold or at room temperature — and it’ll easily feed a crowd.

Black Bean Hummus

A twist on traditional hummus, our Black Bean Hummus swaps out the usual beans (garbanzos) for black beans. Lime juice replaces the customary lemon juice, while cumin and smoked paprika add deep, smoky flavor. And don’t leave out the tahini (sesame seed paste). Tahini has a delicate roasted flavor that adds richness and complexity to any kind of hummus. Add a little fresh cilantro and some good quality olive oil, serve with pita chips and fresh cut veggies, and it’s sure to be devoured. Or, meal-prep by portioning it out into ready-to-eat afternoon snacks that you can pop in your bag.

Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

If you’ve never before considered or tasted the flavor combo of black beans & sweet potatoes, you’re in for a treat with these Black Bean-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes. Loaded with nutrients and antioxidants, sweet potatoes benefit from the amazingly savory addition of black beans — plus all the other tasty toppings that add creaminess, crunch, and zest. This dish is as easy as baking or microwaving sweet potatoes and then loading them up with beans, Greek yogurt or sour cream, chunks of ripe avocado, a sprinkling of green onions, cilantro, pepitas, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Yum!

These are just a few versatile ideas for how to put Instant Pot beans to good use and feed your family. In fact, any of our dried beans, peas and lentils will work with this basic recipe. Use your creativity, get your hands on an Instant Pot if you haven’t already, and add quick and easy cooked beans to a whole host of favorite dishes – from Refried Beans, Fresh Two-Bean Salsa, and Shrimp and Black Bean Skillet Casserole to Bean & Bacon Breakfast Tacos, Chipotle Pinto Bean Tortilla Soup, and Flourless Black Bean Brownies. And if you end up not polishing off all of your cooked beans within a week, portion what’s left into small storage bags, and freeze. Then, the next time you need beans for a recipe, just grab them from the freezer instead of reaching for a can.

What else can you cook in an Instant Pot? Well, it’s also an awesome way to make all kinds of one-pot wonders, especially Red Beans & Rice. So check it out, and give it a spin — you certainly won’t be sorry.