Kidney Beans Recipe (One Pot Recipe)

This kidney beans recipe is the ultimate hearty side dish fit for any occasion! Loaded with tender beans and the perfect balance of spices, all simmered in a rich tomato broth, every bite is packed with delicious flavor.

Beans aren't the most exciting side dish, in my opinion, but this recipe turns them into the star of the meal. The more I've been making this kidney beans recipe, the more it's become my go-to for everything from a weeknight dinner to a holiday meal. Trust me, even if you don't like beans, you'll love this recipe!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

One pot recipe. Everything for this recipe cooks in the same pot, making it a truly simple and convenient cooking process.

Mostly hands-off. All you have to do is soak the beans overnight, then sauté the onions and garlic, and let the rest of the ingredients simmer until the beans are tender. All in all, that's less than 15 minutes of active time.

Versatile. The beans are absolutely delicious all on their own, or you can serve them on a bed of brown rice or alongside these thin pork chops or chicken pot pie with crescent rolls.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Red kidney beans- perfect for their texture and mild, slightly sweet flavor. They can be swapped for other dried beans like pinto beans or cannellini beans.
• Olive oil- for sautéeing the onions and garlic.
• Onion and garlic- essentials for building flavorful beans.
• Tomato paste- for concentrated tomato flavor.
• Oregano, cumin, turmeric, and coriander- warming, savory spices that perfectly complement the tomato broth and mild beans perfectly.
• Salt and pepper- to taste.
• Fresh cilantro- for garnish

How To Make Kidney Beans

Step 1: Soak the beans. Rinse and drain the dried kidney beans. Then put them in a medium-sized bowl and cover the beans with an inch of water. Soak the beans overnight or for about 8 hours.

Step 2: Cook the onion and garlic. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onions become translucent. To the pot, add the tomato paste and the spices. Mix well to combine everything together.

Step 3: Simmer the beans. Add the soaked beans and water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Let the beans simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are tender and the mixture is creamy.

Step 4: Serve. Give the bean mixture a taste and adjust any seasonings as necessary, then garnish with chopped onions and cilantro and serve warm.

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Check on the beans as they're cooking, and give them a stir every so often.
• Let the beans sit in the pot for about 5 minutes after cooking to allow everything to thicken up for the best texture.
• Add more protein to this recipe by mixing in some cooked sausage, andouille sausage, smoked ham hock, or bacon.
• Serve the beans over some rice to make a delicious red beans and rice recipe.

How To Store Leftover Kidney Beans

In the fridge: Store your leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days.

In the freezer: Allow leftovers to cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 months. 

Reheating: My favorite way to reheat everything is to put them back in a pot with a splash of water or broth and cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5-10 minutes. You can also microwave the leftovers in 30-second intervals until warm for a quicker method.

More Bean Recipes To Try 

• Grandma Brown's baked beans
• Bush's baked beans
• Great Northern beans recipe
• Pinto beans and rice
• Apple pie baked beans