Canned Beans Are Getting a Flavor Overhaul with Bold, Electric New Tastes

Imagine being asked to create a food that could change the world. What would you come up with? Something affordable, adaptable, with eco-friendly packaging, a plant-based food that enriches the soil and ties together diverse cultures worldwide? Congratulations, you’ve just invented beans!

Beans have been a part of human diets for over 8,000 years, and mass canning of beans began in the early 1900s. Despite this long history, the bean industry remains open to innovation. Recently, up-and-coming brands like Heyday Canning Co., Serious Bean Co., and A Dozen Cousins, alongside established players like Bush’s, are transforming beans from a humble side dish to a center-of-the-plate superstar.

Trey Taylor, co-founder of Serious Bean Co., explains: “It makes sense when you consider consumers' needs—fiber, protein, affordability, and convenience—beans check all the boxes,” he says. Stephen Palacios, Senior VP of Marketing and Innovation at Bush’s, attributes this bean revolution to the growing diversity of the US population and the influence of younger shoppers. Older millennials, he notes, are seeking flavors that evoke their cultural roots, travel experiences, and favorite restaurant dishes.

“The gap was in unique flavors,” Taylor says. Enter the innovators.

I first stumbled upon Heyday Canning Co.’s beans on Instagram, drawn in by the retro-chic design, vibrant colors, and charming ingredient illustrations. But it was the bold flavors—Coconut Curry! Harissa Lemon! Kimchi Sesame!—that told me: this is the future of canned beans. These beans are not only packed with nutrients, but their stylish packaging makes them Instagram-worthy.

When Kat Kavner and Jaime Tulley of Heyday Canning Co. set out to disrupt the canned bean industry in 2020, they started by looking to their own pantries. Both home cooks with experience in the food industry, Kavner recalls: “We wanted to offer a variety of flavors that would let you create all sorts of meals.” They imagined flavors like Enchilada Black Beans for tacos or chilaquiles, and Tomato alla Vodka Cannellini Beans for serving over polenta.

Today, Heyday offers six different flavors using four types of beans, with culinary advisor Ali Slagle bringing some serious food cred to the brand. Their Apricot Glazed Baked Beans offer a fresh twist on the classic; Kimchi Sesame Navy Beans are unlike anything found on store shelves, perfect for zesty weeknight lettuce wraps; and Harissa Lemon Chickpeas are begging to be paired with a warm flatbread.

At Bush’s, new flavors draw inspiration from restaurant trends: Simmerin’ Caribbean Black Beans feature a Jamaican-inspired sauce with bell peppers, and Rustic Tuscany Chickpeas, simmered in a light tomato and olive oil sauce, pair perfectly with pasta.

For Ibraheem Basir, founder of A Dozen Cousins, it’s all about creating distinct flavor profiles that celebrate culture and place. “As the majority of the US population moves toward a ‘minority’ background, the diverse cuisines that influence them will become an integral part of American food culture,” he says. His microwavable pouches of beans tap into these cultural influences, with family recipes like Trini Chickpea Curry and Creole Red Beans. “We strive to create products that combine taste, health, and culture in meaningful ways,” he adds.

At Serious Bean Co., Matt Voltoline, Director of Brand Marketing, says their core consumer is a younger, often male shopper they’ve nicknamed ‘Michael.’ “Michael might not be a chef, but he enjoys food and social occasions,” says Voltoline. Serious Bean Co.'s Jalapeño and Bacon Pinto Beans and Carolina Gold BBQ Beans are a perfect fit for him—loaded with flavor straight from the can, but versatile enough to be jazzed up for a fun twist.

According to Stephen Palacios, this bean revolution is just beginning. “What we’re witnessing is the birth of a new sub-category,” he says. “It’s still early, and we need widespread adoption for this movement to really take off.”

These beans are gaining momentum. Heyday, Serious Bean Co., and A Dozen Cousins all plan to introduce more exciting flavors in the future, continuing their mission to redefine the bean and, if not save the world, at least make your next meal a whole lot more flavorful.