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National Bean Day

Celebrate National Bean Day with a delicious variety of dishes! From chili to baked beans and soups, you won't be disappointed!

Wednesday

January 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEJanuary 6

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYSide Dishes

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to celebrate National Bean Day on January 6th! This day was created to honor the mighty bean, which has been around since ancient times. Beans are a versatile food that can be used in many delicious dishes and provide a great source of plant-based protein. They are also high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants - making them an essential part of any healthy diet.

TIMELINE

National Bean Day Timeline

Early Bean Cultivation

Beans have been part of human diet for thousands of years. Evidence of early bean cultivation was found in Thailand dating back to 7,000 B.C.

Beans Reach Europe

After Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World, beans, a staple Native American food, were brought back to Europe and spread through trade routes.

Bean Soup Tradition in Senate

A tradition was started in the U.S. Senate's restaurant to serve bean soup every day, said to be initiated by a senator's request for the comfort food.

Famous Bean Slogan

Heinz, a popular food-processing company, debuted its famous slogan "Beanz Meanz Heinz", beginning its long association with baked beans.

Beans in Space

The first manned Gemini mission, Gemini 3, had a famous 'corned beef sandwich incident' which caused NASA to introduce strict food protocols. They introduced meals in tubes and freeze-dried food, including beans.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Bean Day

Cook your own beans

There is something special about cooking your own beans from scratch. Choose the type of bean you want to use and get creative with the seasoning. Beans are a versatile ingredient and can be used in a variety of recipes.

Go out for beans

If you don't feel like cooking your own beans, why not go out to eat? Look for restaurants that specialize in dishes featuring beans or try something new. You may just find a new favorite dish.

VISIT

Visit a local farmer's market

Take a trip to your local farmer's market and pick up some fresh, local beans for yourself. Farmer's markets offer a great selection of different types of beans and you can often find unique varieties that you wouldn't find in the grocery store.

ORGANIZE

Organize a potluck

Invite friends over for a potluck featuring dishes made with beans. Ask each person to bring their favorite bean dish or experiment with something new. It's sure to be an enjoyable evening full of delicious food.

READ

Read about beans

Take some time to learn more about beans by reading books or articles on the topic. There is so much to explore about the history, culture, and nutrition of this amazing food.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Bean Day

Beans can help reduce environmental impact

Because beans require significantly less resources (e.g. water) than meat production, consuming them instead of animal products can help lessen our collective environmental impact. Plus, beans are renewable which means that as long as farmers rotate their crops properly future generations will be able to enjoy them too!

Beans are a nutritious source of plant-based protein

Beans are perfect for anyone looking to add more plant-based proteins to their diet. Not only do they provide a great source of fiber, but they also contain essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Plus, they're tasty too!

Beans are affordable

Beans are budget friendly and easy to find in most grocery stores. So if you're looking for an inexpensive way to get your daily dose of nutrients, beans should be at the top of your list! Plus, they are full of flavor so you won't have to sacrifice taste for price.

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11Read

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