Flavor Combinations: Beans, Herbs, and Spices (2024)

FAQs

Flavor Combinations: Beans, Herbs, and Spices? ›

The aromatics I tend to use are onions, carrots, garlic, and celery, and then heartier, woodsy herbs, like rosemary, sage, and thyme, which marry beautifully with the earthy-sweet flavor of beans.

In general, most beans go well with herbs like parsley, rosemary, sage, savory, and thyme. You usually can't go wrong with garlic and onions, either. Specific kinds of beans, like fava beans or mung beans, have other affinities with particular herbs and spices. This is not to say that other combinations won't work.

Add the garlic, oregano, chili powder, and cumin and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add in the drained beans, bay leaves, and broth or water. Cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the beans are warmed through, then remove the bay leaves.

Any kind of beans can be cooked together. It's all about preference and your imagination. Try white beans, kidney, lima and pinto beans. They cook well together and make an awesome baked bean dish.

Epazote is an herb native to South America and Mexico. It's traditionally used to flavor black beans, and some folks claim it reduces gas-producing properties.

Epazote (pronounced eh-puh-ZOE-tay) is an herb native to Mexico and Central America that is perhaps best known for its carminative, or gas-relieving, properties. Cooked with a pot of beans, this herb can lessen the “negative effects” and adds a distinctive savory, earthy flavor.

Caramelized Onion + Bacon + Espresso Powder

Slowly caramelize a chopped onion in a bit of oil, then add bacon and cook until crispy. Add the can of beans and stir, making sure to scrape up any tasty bits that have stuck to the pan. To finish, toss in a pinch of espresso powder for an extra hit of earthy flavor.

Use aromatics, like onion, garlic, and herbs, in your cooking liquid—they'll transform any pot of beans into something far more flavorful. Oh, and don't worry about making too many beans at once.

Wait until the beans are tender but not quite done to add a splash of apple cider vinegar and a couple teaspoons of salt to the pot. The apple cider vinegar breaks down indigestible sugars to help digestion and also brightens the flavor of the beans without the need for excess salt.

What is the best companion for beans? ›

Beans go well with corn and pumpkin because together they form a so-called "three-sister planting" (also known as milpa) and complement each other perfectly . Savory, cucumbers, cabbage, chard, lettuce, celery, spinach and tomatoes are also good neighbors for beans.

Nasturtium, summer savory, and rosemary: Nasturtium and rosemary both deter bean beetle pests. 4 In addition, summer savory repels bean beetles and improves the flavor and overall growth of bean plants. Grow it near the base of the plant, but not so close that the bean plant shades it.

Herbs like cumin, fennel, and ginger are known for their carminative properties, which means they help reduce gas + bloating. Adding these herbs to your bean recipes not only enhances flavor but also aids digestion.

Onion: adds savory, cozy flavor to the baked beans. Brown sugar: adds sweetness and depth of flavor thanks to the molasses inside. Steak sauce and yellow mustard: add a savory, tangy balance to the brown sugar and crushed pineapple.