Winter beans for health and comfort

Sponsored by Bush's Best

Frosty weather calls for warm comfort food. Soups, stews and other hearty foods have long been winter essentials, and many of these familiar foods are getting a better-for-you, plant-based update. Operators are adapting to consumer demands for innovative menu items that feature healthful ingredients and are delicious as well.

“It’s in our nature to want food that comforts the soul as much as the taste buds,” says Ken Oakley, senior brand manager of foodservice for Bush’s Best. “The stigma behind comfort food is slowly shifting gears. Consumers are starting to enter the world of permissible indulgence.”

Here are some ways operators can offer delicious comfort foods with healthful attributes.

Reinvent favorites with plant-based items

According to Datassential in its October 2021 Foodbytes report, 40% of consumers plan to increase consumption of superfoods or functional foods in the next year. While fruits and vegetables were among the top foods that consumers said were health forward, they also listed legumes among the top 10 healthful foods that they intend to eat. In fact, beans are superfoods loaded with fiber, antioxidants and protein.

Because of their versatility and nutrition profile, beans can transform traditional comfort foods into something more healthful. Add fiber and texture to a grilled cheese sandwich by adding seasoned, smashed pinto beans. Include hearty beans in fried foods such as vegetable fritters. Elevate mac and cheese by topping it off with chili.

“It’s important to have these health-centric plant-forward versions of comfort food,” Oakley says. “Consumers are on the lookout for comforting menu offerings that offer a guilt-free eating experience.”

Substitute more healthful ingredients

Another way to offer this guilt-free eating experience is by swapping out meat for beans. According to The NPD Group, plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products are forecast to grow through 2024. Millennials and Gen Zers are driving the growth of plant-based products because they are looking for healthier eating options and are interested in sustainability and animal welfare.

Great Northern, kidney, pinto and black beans provide low-cost substitutes for beef in chilis, tacos and wraps. They can also be included in blended versions of meatloaf, meatballs, lasagna and burgers. A Sloppy Joe is a fun, nostalgic food, so try a plant-based version with beans instead of beef or a plant-forward version with both.

In addition to providing healthful options, beans provide operators with lower food costs. While supply chain constraints have affected the availability and price of meats, there have been no such issues with beans. Beans are shelf-stable and can be substituted on menus at a moment’s notice, and sauced, seasoned bean products can save time and labor.

Try nontraditional

Beans not only complement and add nutrition to comfort foods but work as a natural flavor carrier in a variety of global cuisines, including spicy bowls and stir-fries. Start with a grain, vegetables and beans, then add spices that reflect the hottest global flavor trends. For a nod to Korean flavors, try incorporating gochujang, or for a more general Asian theme, try shishito peppers, teriyaki sauce or fermented ingredients. Biryani, an Indian rice dish, is popular now, as is chaulafan, a Latin version of fried rice.

Comfort food is not just about lunch and dinner. A hot breakfast can also be comforting, and few dishes are more convenient than a breakfast burrito. Beans can also add thickness and nutrition to smoothies, which are also portable, a key feature as people return to school and work.

Dessert is also a vital treat these days, and it may be surprising to learn that beans can play a role. Hummus, which is traditionally made with chickpeas, is gaining popularity as dessert. Garbanzo beans are not only nutrient dense, but they act as a blank canvas for flavor as well. Operators are developing sweet versions such as chocolate, gingerbread, cookie dough and even birthday cake hummus. “There are endless flavor combinations that are permissibly indulgent and familiar to consumers,” Oakley says. “Coupled with the creamy texture, dessert hummus acts as a great dip or spread to satisfy sweet cravings without the guilt.”

As soup bars and other self-service options return to foodservice establishments, and grab-and-go remains popular, it’s crucial to offer a selection of menu items that feature plant-based and plant-forward versions of consumers’ favorite foods. Whether it’s a substitute for meat in a legacy favorite, or an ingredient in a new iteration of comfort food, versatile, better-for-you beans can appeal to consumers looking for healthful menu items and can help operators increase revenue.