National Bean Day – Jan. 6, 2027

National Bean Day
Categories:
Tags:
Food
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every January 6
Holiday emoji:
🫘

National Bean Day celebrates the humble, versatile legume every January 6, honoring both its culinary delights and its scientific significance. This day encourages everyone to explore new bean recipes, learn about their health benefits, and appreciate the plant that helped unlock the secrets of genetics.

Want to sponsor National Bean Day? Learn how

Expected National Bean Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Bean Day often inspires grocery chains and food brands to feature bean-related products. Look for sales on canned beans, dried legumes, and bean-based snacks at stores like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and Kroger. Restaurants like Chipotle or local diners might offer discounts on bean burritos, chili, or bean soups. Specialty food retailers such as Rancho Gordo could highlight heirloom bean varieties. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 6 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Bean Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalBeanDay. Share quick bean recipe videos, cooking hacks, or funny bean-related content.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalBeanDay. Post aesthetically pleasing photos of bean dishes, cooking process, or even bean art.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalBeanDay. Share family recipes, host a virtual bean dish potluck, or discuss bean health benefits.

Social Media Tips for National Bean Day

Individuals

Cook up your favorite bean chili, soup, or salad. Share your creation with friends and family, or try a new recipe you've never made before.

Creators

Develop a series of healthy and delicious bean-based meal prep ideas, or challenge your audience to try an obscure bean variety.

Brands

Showcase your bean-centric products or ingredients. Run a recipe contest encouraging user-generated content featuring your brand.

Top Brands for National Bean Day

  1. Bush's Best

    Founded in 1908 in Chestnut Hill, Tennessee, Bush's Best is one of America's leading producers of canned beans. Known for its iconic baked beans, the company offers a wide variety of bean products, making it a staple in many kitchens.

  2. Goya Foods

    Established in 1936 in New York City by Don Prudencio Unanue and his wife Carolina, Goya Foods is the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the United States. They are well-known for their extensive range of Latin American and Spanish food products, including a vast selection of canned beans.

  3. Rancho Gordo

    Founded by Steve Sando in Napa, California, Rancho Gordo specializes in heirloom beans and other traditional foods. They are dedicated to preserving rare and delicious bean varieties, connecting consumers with unique flavors and agricultural heritage.

  4. Eden Foods

    Founded in 1968, Eden Foods is a natural food company based in Clinton, Michigan, recognized for its commitment to organic and non-GMO products. They offer a wide range of organic canned beans, often packaged in BPA-free cans, catering to health-conscious consumers.

  5. Amy's Kitchen

    Founded in 1987 by Andy and Rachel Berliner in Petaluma, California, Amy's Kitchen produces organic and vegetarian convenience foods. Their product line includes popular bean-based options like organic refried beans, chili, and various bean soups.

  6. The Bean Institute

    The Bean Institute is an organization dedicated to promoting the health and nutritional benefits of beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. They provide research, recipes, and educational resources to encourage greater consumption of these legumes.

  7. S&W Beans

    With a history dating back to 1896 in San Francisco, S&W Beans has been a trusted brand for quality canned fruits and vegetables. They offer a diverse selection of canned beans, including black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, popular for their consistent quality.

National Bean Day Hero

Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel (1822–1884) was an Austrian scientist and Augustinian friar who is often called the 'father of modern genetics.' Through his meticulous experiments with pea plants and bean plants in the monastery garden, he discovered the fundamental laws of heredity. His work, published in 1866, was largely unrecognized during his lifetime but became foundational to biology in the early 20th century. National Bean Day is observed on the anniversary of his death.

National Bean Day timeline

7000 B.C.
Ancient Beans

The native tribes of Peru and Mexico cultivate bean crops.

1551
New Varieties

The term ‘kidney bean’ is coined to differentiate the bean type from other common beans.

1734
Jack and the Beanstalk

The English fairy tale about a boy who discovers magic beans appears as 'The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean.'

1854
Two Peas in a Pod

Father of genetics Gregor Mendel conducts research experiments on heredity using different varieties of peas.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Bean Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Bean Day by featuring bean-centric dishes or products. Restaurants could offer a special ‘Bean Day’ menu with unique bean soups, chilis, or vegetarian bean burgers. Grocery stores might create displays highlighting diverse bean varieties and offer discounts on canned or dried beans. Specialty food shops could host tasting events for heirloom beans or bean-based snacks. Even non-food businesses could share fun bean facts on social media or partner with a local food bank for a bean drive.

National Bean Day FAQs

When is National Bean Day?

In 2027, National Bean Day is observed on Thursday, January 6, inviting everyone to explore the culinary and health benefits of beans. This date offers a great chance to experiment with new bean recipes or revisit old favorites.

How many types of beans are there?

Globally, the diversity of beans is immense, with estimates suggesting over 40,000 cultivated varieties. This vast number reflects centuries of agricultural development and regional culinary traditions, offering endless possibilities for dishes.

What are the health benefits of eating beans?

Regularly incorporating beans into your diet can significantly contribute to overall well-being. Their high fiber content promotes satiety, which can assist with weight management, while their complex carbohydrates provide sustained energy without spiking blood glucose.

Why is National Bean Day on January 6?

The choice of January 6 for National Bean Day honors the legacy of Gregor Mendel, whose pioneering work with legumes laid the foundation for understanding heredity. His scientific contributions transformed biology, making beans a symbol of genetic discovery.

National Bean Day Activities

  1. Attend a Chili Cook-off Competition

    Beans certainly aren’t the only ingredient in chili. But as any serious chili cook knows, finding the right beans is the key to make or break your recipe. The first chili cook-off took place in 1967 in Texas, so cooks have had plenty of time to perfect their techniques … and find the best kinds of beans to use. And if you like vegetarian chili, beans will be the primary ingredient.

  2. Perfect your own baked beans recipe

    If chili is one of the most popular bean-based foods for people to create their own recipes, creating a personalized baked beans recipe is a close second. So don’t be afraid to experiment with some baked beans recipes on National Bean Day. Try a few different types of beans or add some different ingredients to give your baked beans recipe a unique flavor. And, if it helps, you can even sing the “magical fruit” song while cooking your recipe.

  3. Come up with a bean-related craft idea

    Dried beans are great in recipes, but they also work really well for creating craft and art projects for kids. For example, you could create a mosaic that includes a variety of seeds and different sizes and colors of beans. This can be a lot of fun for kids. And bean art puts macaroni art to shame, especially on National Bean Day.

Why We Love National Bean Day

  1. There are so many different kinds of beans to try

    If you choose to celebrate National Bean Day by trying a few different kinds of beans, you’ll have a whole bunch of them to sample. Green string beans, pinto beans, navy beans, black beans, and red kidney beans are among the most popular types of beans grown in the United States.

  2. Beans are an economical source of protein

    If you’re looking to save a bit of money on your food bill, beans are among the most cost effective foods you can eat. And if you’re looking for a source of protein that’s quite a bit cheaper than beef or chicken, beans are the answer. A cooked bean’s weight is between 6% and 11% protein.

  3. Beans aren’t just for dinner

    Some kinds of beans are best served for dessert. Jelly beans are one of the most popular candies around. Heck, there’s even a chili flavor of Jelly Belly jelly beans. And Boston Baked Beans are great candies too. Even though jelly beans and the candy-coated peanuts that make up Boston Baked Beans aren’t the same as traditional beans, they still taste great. So go ahead and eat some candy beans on National Bean Day.

National Bean Day dates

Year Date Day
2027 January 6 Wednesday
2028 January 6 Thursday
2029 January 6 Saturday
2030 January 6 Sunday
2031 January 6 Monday