Healthy Recipes Using Beans And Pulses

If you would have asked me a year ago what a pulse was, I would have raised an eyebrow at you and then told you it was proof that you were alive,

. But there’s actually another meaning for the word that applies to food. It’s simply another way to describe beans, lentils, chickpeas and dry peas!

Outside of the occasional can of baked beans, I didn’t eat many pulses before becoming a vegetarian. Then as I began to research different plant-based proteins, I discovered that they are not only a fantastic source but they also offer a plethora of health benefits.

Healthy Breakfast Bowl (gf)

In honor of the United Nations declaring 2016 the International Year of Pulses, I’ve teamed up with USA Pulses and Pulse Canada this month to help spread awareness about these little powerful superfoods. Below you’ll find a collection of my favorite recipes featuring pulses that have all been reader-approved by vegetarians and omnivores alike.

To learn more about the benefits of pulses and to join me in taking the Pulse Pledge (a commitment to eat pulses at least once per week for 10 weeks), visit www.PulsePledge.com!

“I had saved this recipe of yours a while back, and finally made it spur-of-the-moment for dinner tonight… I loved it, and so did my husband!  I didn’t have the roasted red peppers on hand, so I’m going out tonight to pick some up so that I can make the sauce to go with the leftovers.  Thank you for creating this amazing recipe!  It was simple to make and super delicious!”

Best Pulses Recipes

“I made these and they were wonderful!!! I have just one question, does the nutritional info include the pasta and sauce or is that just for the meatballs? To be honest, they were so good, I wanted to eat them all!”

“My husband does not love veggie burgers – but eating plant based, he puts up with them. However, he loved these. That is amazing! I have tried all kinds store bought brands, all kinds of recipes from scratch and this is the first time he said: “These are good!”.  Score! I was shocked. I loved them, but I love all veggie burgers! I did use leftover cooked sweet potatoes and they came out perfect!”

“I loved the stuffed spaghetti squash burrito bowls. They were amazing. I even made these for some co workers. They couldn’t believe how good they were. Not to mention how much they loved not having to return a dish.”

Pulses: The Health Benefits Of Beans, Chickpeas, And Lentils

“This is one of my top 10 favorite go-to recipes; it’s savory, full of authentic flavors, healthy, and delicious! I usually pair it with whole wheat naan, or add-in some fried tofu–SO GOOD. Thanks for the awesome recipes!”

“Hey! Just wondering if the nutritional info was for 1 taco or two? And PS made these tonight. A MASSIVE success. My husband hates black beans and you are the first person to get him to eat them!”

“WOW!!! SOOOO amazing!!! I made this recipe for my vegetarian family for Easter dinner and it is so wonderful. I have made several different lentil loaf recipes in the past and this one is far superior! Love the glaze and minimal bread/bread crumb content. Thanks, I will enjoy making and eating this recipe for many years to come!

Recipes For Bean Feasts Using Supermarket Tins

“Made this last night and it was just what our bodies needed! So delicious ~~~ and I enjoyed making it. Thank you, Sarah.”

“I was looking for “fall-themed casseroles” for brunch this past Sunday and stumbled across your site and this recipe. I made this for my whole family and everyone RAVED (including me!!). I wasn’t sure how I would like the butternut squash in a Mexican dish, but it added a yummy sweetness that was to die for.”

“I’ve made your lentil and lemon soup 3-4 times over the last couple of weeks (so good!) and I decided I should move on. So I had this tonight which didn’t disappoint. It was delicious. It feels so good eating food like this after over indulging during the holidays. What I like most is that I half the recipes and then I have ready made food for a couple of days (there is just me eating it.) and the flavours get even better. I love having greens in soups and that is something new for me. I will go on to try your other soup recipes too, as they all seem like they will be very good too. Eating well does make such a difference to how I feel. Thank you once more. I totally recommend this recipe.”

Easy Bean Salad Recipe You'll Make On Repeat!

“I subbed 2 Flax eggs instead of the eggs to make vegan and they turned out so nice! Thank you, this is my new favourite meal!!! :)”

“I recently made a lentil black bean chili and loved it, so when I was looking for more Meatless Monday ideas I came across this recipe. Wow, I loved it! The smokey flavor is so strong (in a good way!). It was easy to make and tasted delicious with a side of organic tortilla chips. Only thing I did differently was cooked the lentils for 20 minutes, then added the sweet potatoes for another 20 minutes, so I think I cut 10 minutes out of the recipe. Everything was cooked and came out wonderfully. Hubs enjoyed it, too!”

“I just made this for my family because my second child recently decided to go vegetarian, and we’re trying to be supportive even if we don’t change our eating habits entirely, and I can’t believe how truly filling and delicious these are!!!”

Cooking With Beans, Grains, Pulses And Legumes: 185 Healthy, Wholesome And Delicious Low Fat Recipes For Every Day, From Breakfast To Lunch To Special Occasion Dishes

This post was created in partnership with USA Pulses and Pulses Canada. All text and opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make it possible for me to bring you quality content!Honestly, I can’t look at the title of this post without hearing my little brothers sing that silly song about beans. We didn’t grow up eating beans. The funny thing is, though, that after I stopped eating meat after college, I naturally started craving them. I quickly discovered that beans are hearty, satisfying, rich in protein and fiber, and gloriously inexpensive. Now that I’ve gotten on the bean bandwagon, my family has, too. Victory!

The United Nations has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (pulses are dried legumes like beans, chickpeas and lentils), so you’ll be hearing a lot more about beans over the coming months. I’ve teamed up with the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council to bring you more recipes with pulses this year. Let’s kick it off with some of my favorite recipes!

Below, you’ll find a wide variety of hearty meals with Mexican, Mediterranean and Italian influences. These are all recipes that will help you meet those healthy New Years resolutions, and they just might change your family’s opinion on meatless meals, too.

Pulses: The Hottest New Healthy Food Trend You *need* To Try

For more information about the benefits of pulses and to join me in signing their Pulse Pledge (which is committing to eat one serving of pulses every week), visit PulsePledge.com.

“Another fabulous recipe! Loved everything, great flavor .. baked the falafel on a pan but am totally going to steal a friend’s cast iron next time to try that out. I think the dressing would also be lovely with other salads, or maybe lentils + some raw veggies. Thanks!” – Brittney

“I LOVE this salad. I’ve been making it with dill only and serving with arugula. I make a batch and take to work for lunch. Got some family hooked on it too. It’s so fresh!” – Sarah

What To Eat With Baked Beans

“I do not often leave comments after making recipes I find online (I know … shame on me!!); but your Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad was so successful that I had to thank you! The flavors were incredible – balanced, assertive, and addictive. It makes a lot so I shared (but only with people I really like). Every recipient called to demand the recipe. Great job and thank you for sharing! I will be returning often.” – Heather

“Kate, I have to admit that when I first saw this I was bit scared to make it. Of course, based on how delicious your other recipes are, I should have known better. Well, no need to fear….this is soooo delicious!!!! Another winner for sure, even my nonvegan family loved this.” – Tanya

“I made this with Christmas dinner and wow this was certainly my signature dish! It was scrumptious and so pretty. I was so intrigued by it, I had to make it and so glad I did!” – Leslie

Homemade Baked Beans

“After eating your soup, I just told my husband that I will be making it all my life until I die or someone will need to cook it for me if I can’t. It’s simply the most amazing soup I was ever given the chance to enjoy. The flavour made me so happy. I strongly recommend this soup to anyone. Thank you so much Kate for sharing all of this goodness. Good vibs to you!” – Caroline

“Made this recipe for my brother’s birthday dinner and everyone loved it, including my 9 and 3 year old, who will eat any and every vegetable now,

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