If you like beans, but you're tired of the same old baked beans recipes, give our healthy recipe for ranch beans a try. We've made them a little more interesting by combining two kinds of beans, and adding green peppers, ketchup, and molasses.
The fact that you can make these either on the stove top or in the microwave makes them versatile and super easy to prepare, no matter what other dishes you're making at the same time. Just be sure to make plenty; they're sure to be a hit, and they're sure to go fast!
Healthy Ranch Beans Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1 3/4 cups canned vegetarian beans
1 3/4 cups canned kidney beans, red, drained
2 Tablespoons ketchup
2 Tablespoons molasses
1/2 teaspoon dried onion
Directions:
CONVENTIONAL METHOD:
1. Place all ingredients in saucepan and heat thoroughly, about 10 minutes.
MICROWAVE METHOD:
1. Place all ingredients in microwave-safe bowl. Cover with waxed paper. Cook on high; stirring every 2 minutes; cook about 5 minutes.
Makes 4 Servings, about 1 cup each
PER SERVING:
Calories 240
Total fat 1 gram
Saturated fat Trace
Cholesterol 0
Sodium 916 milligrams
Health Benefits of Ranch Beans
This ranch beans recipe is not only a great way to change up your dinners, but a great way to provide your family with good nutrition! Beans are a great addition to anyone's diet. Let's talk about the health benefits they provide.
The kidney beans used in this recipe are extremely high in fiber. Fiber is used by your body to help your digestive system function properly. The good bacteria in our guts feed on fiber. In addition, fiber can help slow the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. This can help our bodies regulate our blood sugar levels.
Kidney beans are extremely high in folate. This nutrient is especially essential for pregnant women, since it plays a vital role in fetal development. Studies have shown that kidney beans can also help with heart health. Eating kidney beans helps regulate your blood pressure.
As you can see, the kidney beans used in this ranch beans recipe really have a lot of great health benefits. They come packed with nutrients that help your body function at its best, while protecting it from long-term complications. Of course, always consult your doctor or a nutritionist before making any decisions about your health. None of the information in this article should be taken as professional medical advice; it is simply here to help you understand what you're putting in your body.
If you enjoyed this ranch beans recipe, we strongly encourage you to check out our other wonderful recipes. We have so many on our site that you're sure to never run out of new ones to try! Enjoy!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/FPWing.