When you think about foods and which are the most versatile, what comes to mind? Most people think about how many recipes a particular food can be used in or how many ways it can be prepared. Beans are one of those foods, like many others, that can be prepared in a myriad of ways and hence are very versatile.

You can put them in a chili, soup, or stew, make a salad with them, refry them for burritos or other mexican foods, or puree them with olive oil and spices to make hummus or bean dip. You can also eat beans as tofu or beans as beans. And there are many different types of beans to keep your taste buds happy.

But what makes beans truly the most versatile food is the fact that they offer such a powerhouse of nutrients at such a low cost. Where other versatile foods like chicken provide one macro nutrient such as protein, beans provide carbohydrates, protein, and fiber and can be purchased for less than a dollar a pound. Read on to learn about the different types of beans, the unique properties of each, and a few ways to prepare them.