These Easy & Delicious Black Bean Recipes are so tasty! Try incorporating these cheap canned beans into soups, salads and meal prep bowls.
The Best Black Bean Recipes
Black beans are one of my favourite vegetarian protein options. They're super versatile and can be used in so many dishes, whether you're making salad, burrito bowls, soup and more! I rounded up some of my favourite black bean recipes to help you get started with this yummy legume.
How to cook black beans
For these black bean recipes, you can use either canned black beans or cook your own dry black beans. Here are two ways you can cook dry black beans:
- Instant Pot: This is the easiest method, and doesn't require any soaking. Check out my Instant Pot black beans recipe for detailed instructions.
- Stovetop: Rinse the black beans, then bring them to a simmer on the stovetop and cook uncovered for about an hour until cooked through. Check out this dry black beans recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you add to black beans for flavour?
These black bean recipes are full of flavour with different spices, seasonings and sauces, and the black beans will soak up the flavour of whatever you're cooking them with. If you're just cooking plain black beans, you can add in some salt and pepper, lime juice, cumin or any spices of your choice.
Do they need to soak first?
If you're cooking dry black beans, you can soak them in water first beforehand, but it's not required. Soaking them before cooking will help them cook faster and more evenly.
Should you rinse them?
Yes! If you're using dry black beans, you'll need to rinse them before cooking to remove any debris; and if you're using canned black beans, you'll need to drain and rinse them to get rid of all the excess starch and salt.
Do you need to cook canned black beans?
Canned black beans are already cooked, so you don't need to worry about cooking them further. For most of these recipes, they'll warm up alongside the rest of the ingredients.
Meal Prep Bowls
Want a healthy high-protein meal? These bowls featuring black beans are perfect to pack up for lunch or even breakfast!
Easiest 2-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken
6 hours 5 minutes
This 2-Ingredient Crockpot Salsa Chicken comes together SO easily – you can use it to make tacos, burritos bowls, salads and more.
Make this recipe
Calories: 160kcal | Protein: 24g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 132mg | Potassium: 420mg | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.4mg
20-Minute Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
25 minutes
These 20-Minute Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls are a healthy, easy and flavourful dinner idea made with simple ingredients!
Make this recipe
Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 708mg | Potassium: 1036mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
Taco Bell Power Bowl {Copycat Recipe}
40 minutes
This Taco Bell Power Bowl is the perfect meal prep idea and is a healthier copycat recipe you can easily make at home in just 30 minutes!
Make this recipe
Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 852mg | Potassium: 736mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2070IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3mg
Coconut Mango Chicken Meal Prep Bowls
40 minutes
These Coconut Mango Chicken Meal Prep Bowls with corn salsa, avocado and mango marinade are perfect for your weekly lunches!
Make this recipe
Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 1234mg | Potassium: 1112mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 1723IU | Vitamin C: 72mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 3mg
Meal Prep Instant Pot Taco Bowls
30 minutes
These Meal Prep Instant Pot Taco Bowls are similar to taco salad. In just 30 minutes, you’ll have your lunches ready for the week!
Make this recipe
Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 728mg | Potassium: 909mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1000IU | Vitamin C: 27.2mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 3.6mg
Steak Quinoa Burrito Bowl
40 minutes
This Steak and Quinoa Burrito Bowl with pico de gallo and corn salsa is a delicious lunch idea you can meal prep, and is inspired by Chipotle burrito bowls!
Make this recipe
Calories: 549kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1289mg | Potassium: 1383mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1787IU | Vitamin C: 84mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 5mg
Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Bowls
45 minutes
These Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Bowls are a delicious brunch idea made healthier – they’re also great for your weekly meal prep!
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Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 200mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 876mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 972IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 4mg
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delicious one-pot dinner that’s loaded with Mexican seasonings – it’s ready in just 30 minutes!
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Black Bean Chili via Love and Lemons
This easy black bean chili recipe is the perfect cozy meal on a cold day! Hearty, flavorful, and delicious, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free.
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Salads
These salads are an excellent way to include black beans in your diet. They're delicious, flavourful, but best of all, easy to make!
The Ultimate Cowboy Caviar {Best Dressing!}
2 hours 30 minutes
This Cowboy Caviar is a great vegetarian lunch that packs a big protein punch. It's full of veggies and beans, with the best tangy dressing!
Make this recipe
Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 1240mg | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1598IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 6mg
The Best Dorito Taco Salad {Quick + Easy}
25 minutes
This Dorito Taco Salad is a fun 20-minute dinner idea made with crunchy Cool Ranch Doritos, fresh veggies, cheese and taco sauce.
Make this recipe
Calories: 447kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 1633mg | Potassium: 1563mg | Fiber: 17g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 16989IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 378mg | Iron: 15mg
McDonald's Southwest Salad {Copycat Recipe}
40 minutes
This McDonald's Southwest Salad is a delicious copycat, right down to the homemade southwest salad dressing and healthier crispy chicken!
Make this recipe
Calories: 431kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 155mg | Sodium: 645mg | Potassium: 989mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 14635IU | Vitamin C: 11.7mg | Calcium: 260mg | Iron: 4.5mg
Healthy Sweet Potato Salad
40 minutes
This Healthy Sweet Potato Salad is the perfect summer dish to make ahead and bring to a potluck or picnic – it even has bacon in it!
Make this recipe
Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 588mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 13390IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 2mg
The Best Veggie Mason Jar Salad {Two Ways!}
30 minutes
This Veggie Mason Jar Salad is packed with protein, with a yummy hummus base for an extra layer of flavour – try making it one of two ways!
Make this recipe
Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 888mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 850IU | Vitamin C: 45.4mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 4.3mg
Instant Pot Black Bean Quinoa Salad via Eating Instantly
This Instant Pot Quinoa Black Bean Salad is a healthy make-ahead lunch idea that is gluten-free, vegetarian and so easy to make for your weekly meal prep!
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Cucumber and Black Bean Salad via Budget Bytes
This light and fresh cucumber and black bean salad is the perfect summer sidedish. It is refrigerator stable so make it once and snack on it all week!
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Soups
These black bean soups and chilis are hearty and healthy! They make an excellent dinner on a cold and dreary day.
Crockpot Taco Soup {+Stovetop Instructions}
4 hours 15 minutes
This Crockpot Taco Soup is loaded with flavour! It's like having a taco in a bowl – you can make it on the stovetop or in the slow cooker!
Make this recipe
Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 552mg | Potassium: 668mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 3mg
Instant Pot Taco Soup (Vegetarian + Gluten Free!)
30 minutes
This Instant Pot Taco Soup is a great option for busy weeknights with all your favourite taco toppings and gluten-free chickpea noodles.
Make this recipe
Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 921mg | Potassium: 620mg | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2650IU | Vitamin C: 205.4mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.6mg
Easiest Instant Pot Black Bean Soup via Eating Instantly
This is the easiest ever Instant Pot Black Bean Soup – this smoky, spicy soup is packed with flavor and so comforting for cozy nights in.
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Black Bean Chili via Love and Lemons
This easy black bean chili recipe is the perfect cozy meal on a cold day! Hearty, flavorful, and delicious, it’s vegetarian and gluten-free.
Make this recipe
Other Black Bean Recipes
Looking for more black bean recipes? Try any of these favourites ranging from black bean burgers to even flour-less brownies!
Chili's Margarita Grilled Chicken {Perfect Copycat!}
40 minutes
This Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken is the perfect copycat recipe topped with shredded cheese, fresh salsa and all the fixings.
Make this recipe
Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 969mg | Potassium: 612mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
55 minutes
These Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are vegetarian and stuffed with black beans, Monterey jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo and jalapenos!
Make this recipe
Calories: 488kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 679mg | Potassium: 1232mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 32702IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 299mg | Iron: 3mg
Easy Salsa Verde Chicken {Instant Pot or Crockpot}
35 minutes
This Easy Salsa Verde Chicken can be made in the Instant Pot or slow cooker! Serve with rice for a flavourful and healthy dinner idea.
Make this recipe
Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 62g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1283mg | Potassium: 1166mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1748IU | Vitamin C: 22mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2mg
Easy Loaded Tex Mex Sweet Potato Fries
30 minutes
These Easy Loaded Tex Mex Sweet Potato Fries with avocado cilantro sauce are a delicious vegetarian dinner idea that comes together in 30 minutes.
Make this recipe
Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 1031mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 14950IU | Vitamin C: 100.7mg | Calcium: 330mg | Iron: 3.4mg
Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes {Potato Nachos}
40 minutes
These Cheesy Grilled Foil Potatoes are potato nachos made easy on the BBQ. Just slice the potatoes, add on your toppings and grill!
Make this recipe
Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 823mg | Potassium: 1403mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1250IU | Vitamin C: 114.7mg | Calcium: 300mg | Iron: 3.8mg
The Best Black Bean Burgers I’ve Ever Had via Sally’s Baking Addiction
These are the best black bean burgers I’ve ever had! Simple and healthy homemade recipe with garlic, spices, onion, pepper, salt, pepper, and not much else.
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Crispy Black Bean Tacos with Cilantro Lime Sauce via Pinch of Yum
These vegetarian tacos have a deliciously satisfying black bean filling with fresh salsa and seasonings all tucked into a golden crispy tortilla and served alongside a cool and creamy cilantro lime sauce. YUM!
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Broccoli Rabe and Black Bean Quesadillas via Cookie and Kate
Hearty quesadillas stuffed with garlicky, lime-marinated broccoli rabe and refried black beans. This is a fun, fresh quesadilla recipe!
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Amazing Flour-less Brownies via Skinnytaste
Amazing Flour-less Black Bean Brownies are moist, chocolatey and delicious – finally a low-fat, gluten-free brownie that’s pretty darn good made with no flour and no butter!
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