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National Bean Day

Food · January 6

A day for beans of every kind, from pintos and black beans to chickpeas and limas, and the many dishes built around them.

National Bean Day falls on Wednesday, January 6, 2027. That is 71 days away.

Beans are the seeds of legume plants, and few foods are as widely cooked or as easy to store. A bag of dried pintos can sit in a pantry for a long time and still turn into dinner.

The family is large. Black beans, kidney beans, navy beans, chickpeas, lentils and limas all count, and each has its own texture. Some hold their shape in a salad. Others break down into something creamy, which is why refried beans and bean soups work so well.

American kitchens use them in a lot of directions. There are baked beans with molasses, red beans and rice, chili, three bean salad and a plate of beans with cornbread. Most people mark the day by cooking one of these or trying a bean they have never bought before.

One thing to know before you start: dried kidney beans and some other varieties contain a natural compound that can make people sick if the beans are undercooked. Soaking and then boiling them hard until they are fully soft takes care of it. A slow cooker set low may not get hot enough on its own, so boil first. Canned beans are already cooked and only need warming.

Cooked beans keep well in the refrigerator for a few days, and the cooking liquid makes a good start for soup.

Ways to celebrate

• Cook a pot of dried beans from scratch, boiling until fully tender.
• Try a bean variety you have never bought before.
• Make chili, bean soup or red beans and rice for dinner.
• Share a family bean recipe with a friend or neighbor.
• Toss canned chickpeas into a simple salad for lunch.

Dates

All national days on January 6

Also on January 6

• National Cuddle Up Day
• National King Cake Day
• National Shortbread Day
• National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day

Categories: Food days