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Photo: Jacob Fox
Grab a can of pinto beans and make one of these healthy dinners. From soups to grain bowls, pinto beans are an affordable, plant-based source of protein in these recipes. Recipes like Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls and Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole are sure to become a weeknight go-to.
01of 16Smoky Chicken Stew with Kale & Pinto BeansView RecipeDera BurresonChipotle chile powder is made from smoked jalapeño peppers that are dried and ground, giving this stew a hint of smoky flavor.
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Smoky Chicken Stew with Kale & Pinto Beans
View Recipe
Dera Burreson
Chipotle chile powder is made from smoked jalapeño peppers that are dried and ground, giving this stew a hint of smoky flavor.
02of 16Easy Chicken Tinga Rice BowlsView RecipeJacob FoxLeftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.
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Easy Chicken Tinga Rice Bowls
Jacob Fox
Leftover chicken tinga, pinto beans and bell peppers combine to make a hearty, flavorful rice bowl. Finish with your favorite toppings like avocado and lime wedges.
03of 16Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & BeansView RecipeTaco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.
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Stuffed Potatoes with Salsa & Beans
Taco night meets baked potato night with this simple recipe for loaded baked potatoes with salsa, beans and avocado. This easy, healthy family dinner comes together with just 10 minutes of active time, so you can make it on even the busiest of weeknights. This recipe is just as delicious with sweet potatoes in place of russets.
04of 16Chicken Chili VerdeView RecipePrepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don’t shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can’t find in regular green bell peppers.
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Chicken Chili Verde
Prepared salsa verde adds tang to this fast weeknight chili recipe and pairs beautifully with the rich caramelized chicken and creamy beans. Don’t shy away from the poblano peppers. They offer a mild heat but deliver a depth of flavor you can’t find in regular green bell peppers.
05of 16Bean Burgers with Spicy GuacamoleView RecipeThese bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor.
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Bean Burgers with Spicy Guacamole
These bean burgers will even please carnivores. The cornmeal coating gives a pleasant crunch and smoked paprika, cumin, cilantro and guacamole add Southwestern flavor.
06of 16Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito BowlView RecipeThis flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner.
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Chipotle Chicken Quinoa Burrito Bowl
This flavorful burrito bowl features grilled chicken coated in a spicy chipotle glaze. Loading it with vegetables and using quinoa in place of rice adds nutrition for a healthier dinner.
07of 1625-Minute Sweet Potato & Bean EnchiladasView RecipeAntonis AchilleosThese quick sweet potato and bean enchiladas are diabetes-friendly thanks to egg wraps that are lower in carbs than traditional tortillas. The vegetarian filling is both sweet and savory, while the topping adds texture and freshness.
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25-Minute Sweet Potato & Bean Enchiladas
Antonis Achilleos
These quick sweet potato and bean enchiladas are diabetes-friendly thanks to egg wraps that are lower in carbs than traditional tortillas. The vegetarian filling is both sweet and savory, while the topping adds texture and freshness.
08of 16Bean & Beef Taco SoupView RecipeThis taco soup is filled with quintessential taco ingredients and flavors—from two types of hearty beans, to corn and ground beef—but it’s the toppings that really make this soup stand out. Better yet, this healthy soup is easy to make and leftovers freeze beautifully for later.
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Bean & Beef Taco Soup
This taco soup is filled with quintessential taco ingredients and flavors—from two types of hearty beans, to corn and ground beef—but it’s the toppings that really make this soup stand out. Better yet, this healthy soup is easy to make and leftovers freeze beautifully for later.
09of 16Vegetarian GumboView RecipeThis flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.
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Vegetarian Gumbo
This flavorful vegan dinner is a veggie version of the Louisiana classic. It’s chock-full of butternut squash, tomatoes, poblano peppers and okra, to name just a few. This vegetarian gumbo is a quick dinner packed with flavor and spice that’s done in only 30 minutes. To make it a meal, serve it with cornbread drizzled with olive oil.
10of 16Slow-Cooker Pork PosoleView RecipePosole (or pozole) is a thick and hearty soup that originated in Jalisco, Mexico. It’s usually made with pork (sometimes chicken) and is especially popular around Christmastime—it’s perfect for a crowd with its varied garnishes to customize the soup. Mashing some of the beans and hominy thickens this slow-cooker posole and releases more of their earthy flavor. You may add garlic and dried chiles to bring depth of flavor as well. Garnishing with thinly sliced jalapeño chiles, finely shredded green cabbage, avocado and cilantro leaves in place of (or in addition to) the radishes, scallions and oregano is a delicious way to eat this satisfying soup.
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Slow-Cooker Pork Posole
Posole (or pozole) is a thick and hearty soup that originated in Jalisco, Mexico. It’s usually made with pork (sometimes chicken) and is especially popular around Christmastime—it’s perfect for a crowd with its varied garnishes to customize the soup. Mashing some of the beans and hominy thickens this slow-cooker posole and releases more of their earthy flavor. You may add garlic and dried chiles to bring depth of flavor as well. Garnishing with thinly sliced jalapeño chiles, finely shredded green cabbage, avocado and cilantro leaves in place of (or in addition to) the radishes, scallions and oregano is a delicious way to eat this satisfying soup.
11of 16Creamy Queso ChiliView RecipeJacob FoxThis mashup of the classic cheesy dip chile con queso with the beans and vegetables of a chili is the best of both worlds.
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Creamy Queso Chili
This mashup of the classic cheesy dip chile con queso with the beans and vegetables of a chili is the best of both worlds.
12of 16Sweet Potato Fritters with Smoky Pinto BeansView RecipeThese easy sweet potato fritters have a crispy crust and a tender middle. The beans are flavored with smoked paprika, but sweet or hot would work well too. To give it a Mexican-inspired twist, use chili powder as the spice instead of the paprika.
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Sweet Potato Fritters with Smoky Pinto Beans
These easy sweet potato fritters have a crispy crust and a tender middle. The beans are flavored with smoked paprika, but sweet or hot would work well too. To give it a Mexican-inspired twist, use chili powder as the spice instead of the paprika.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Pinto Bean Enchilada Casserole
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
14of 16Bean & Butternut Tacos with Green SalsaView RecipeBeans and roasted butternut squash make an outstanding vegetarian taco filling. For the best flavor, use fresh, good-quality chili powder and Mexican oregano. Look for both at Latin markets or in the bulk spice section at well-stocked natural-foods stores.
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Bean & Butternut Tacos with Green Salsa
Beans and roasted butternut squash make an outstanding vegetarian taco filling. For the best flavor, use fresh, good-quality chili powder and Mexican oregano. Look for both at Latin markets or in the bulk spice section at well-stocked natural-foods stores.
15of 16Southwestern Pinto Bean SoupView RecipeThe flavor of this Mexican-style soup is kicked up a notch with a sprinkling of cilantro and a squirt of lime juice.
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Southwestern Pinto Bean Soup
The flavor of this Mexican-style soup is kicked up a notch with a sprinkling of cilantro and a squirt of lime juice.
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Taco Soup
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