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Black Bean Recipes

By: Alyssa Rate this post! 2 Comments on Black Bean Recipes

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Here are my favorite canned black bean recipes! Bookmark this list for all those times you're looking for an easy meal idea made with this affordable pantry staple.

Bowl of black beans with spoon

A few weeks ago, I did a poll on Instagram to see the ingredients you had in your pantries that you needed help finding ways to use. To my surprise, a huge number of folks were stumped with what to do with black beans!

Black beans have been a staple in my kitchen for years, and I use them all the time in my recipes, BUT I know some of you might also want to go beyond just the standard black bean tacos. So today, I'm going to show you some of my very favorite canned black bean recipes.

What Are Black Beans?

First things first, let's talk about black beans and why they're so awesome. Black beans—or more properly, Black Turtle Beans—are a bean/legume most popular in Latin American cuisines. That said, black beans have since been introduced to the world and can now be found in Indian, Creole, and Southern recipes, among others.

Black beans in Instant Pot

How to Cook Black Beans

Canned black beans have a unique flavor because they're canned with some of their cooking liquid to keep them from drying out. If you're someone who loves that kind of saucy black beans, you will LOVE my Instant Pot Black Beans recipe. It's saucy, it's spicy, it's flavorful, and I think it's quite similar to the canned kind (but wayyyy better!).

If you don't have an Instant Pot, no worries! Making black beans from scratch is a cinch.

  1. You'll want to first start by soaking them overnight. This isn't necessary, but it speeds up their cooking time.
  2. From there, you'll simmer the black beans on the stove for about 50 – 60 minutes. It's as easy as that!

The Best Canned Black Bean Recipes

Because of their dense, meaty texture, black beans are super versatile and pair well with many dishes. Since I know most people don't make their beans from scratch, we're specifically talking about canned black bean recipes here, but you can totally use your homemade ones as well.

Black Bean Salad Recipes

healthy vegetarian taco salads with black beans, romaine and avocado

Vegetarian Taco Mason Jar Salad

This healthy Taco Mason Jar Salad is vegetarian, gluten-free, packed with flavor and great for meal prep too!
Check out this recipe
white bowl of cilantro and bean salad with fresh cilantro and limes

Quinoa Black Bean Salad with Cilantro and Lime

This easy salad is packed with plant-based protein and fiber from black beans and quinoa. Just 5 ingredients!
Check out this recipe
Gallo Pinto with Quinoa - traditional Costa Rican bean dish using quinoa instead of rice | www.simplyquinoa.com | gluten-free + vegan

Gallo Pinto with Quinoa

We swap the usual rice for quinoa to make gallo pinto a protein-packed plant-based meal!
Check out this recipe
quinoa burrito bowls with black beans and avocado - a perfect vegan meal prep recipe

Meal-Prep Vegetarian Quinoa Burrito Bowls

These easy vegetarian quinoa burrito bowls give you 5 days worth of lunches in less than 20 minutes!
Check out this recipe
Easy Mexican Quinoa using only 5-ingredients! A quick and healthy dinner everyone will love | recipe on simplyquinoa.com

5-ingredient Mexican Quinoa

It's like Mexican rice, but with quinoa! Use this as a side for tacos, enchiladas, and more.
Check out this recipe

Tacos, Fajitas, Enchiladas & More

Best Vegan Enchilada Recipe with Black Beans

Vegan Black Bean Enchiladas

Black beans are combined with tender butternut squash and salsa then rolled into tortillas to make these satisfying plant-based enchiladas.
Check out this recipe
Baked Taquitos with Sweet Potatoes and Black Beans

Baked Sweet Potato & Black Bean Taquitos

These crispy vegetarian taquitos are filled with sweet potatoes and black beans, but they're baked instead of fried so they're healthier than the original!
Check out this recipe
Black Bean Quinoa Tacos

Cilantro Lime Black Bean Tacos with Quinoa

Black beans and quinoa make a simple but satisfying filling for these easy meatless tacos.
Check out this recipe
Black Bean Quinoa Fajita Bowls -- ready in just 20 minutes, this meatless meal is sure to make everyone happy!

Black Bean Quinoa Fajita Bowls

Think of these meal bowls as fajitas without the tortillas! Leftovers make excellent workday lunches.
Check out this recipe

Dinner Ideas with Black Beans

chili roasted sweet potato and black bean quinoa salad

Chili Roasted Sweet Potato + Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Sweet potatoes and black beans are one of my favorite combinations and the duo really shines in this flavorful recipe!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato Quinoa Nachos -- made with baked sweet potatoes, a black bean-quinoa mixture, salsa and topped with guac!

Sweet Potato Quinoa Nachos

Yes, sweet potatoes and black beans again! Who needs tortilla chips when you can use thinly sliced sweet potatoes for nachos?
Check out this recipe
MEXICAN QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS -- with black beans, corn, tomatoes and topped with avocado!

Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are always fun, and especially when you combine them with bold Mexican-inspired flavors.
Check out this recipe
Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Swapping your standard Russet potatoes for sweet potatoes makes this recipe much more nutritious. Plus, we've got black beans for protein and fiber!
Check out this recipe

Black Bean Chili

Pumpkin Chili with Quinoa

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Quinoa Chili

It doesn't get much cozier than a warm bowl of slow cooker pumpkin chili with black beans.
Check out this recipe
Best Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Quinoa

This slow cooker vegetarian chili combines beans and quinoa for a high-protein plant-based meal. Just add your favorite toppings!
Check out this recipe
Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Chili - made in a slow cooker! | recipe on simplyquinoa.com

Crockpot Sweet Potato & Black Bean Quinoa Chili

Sweet potatoes add earthiness and subtle sweetness to this meatless black bean and quinoa chili recipe.
Check out this recipe

Black Bean Burger Recipes

Vegetarian Black Bean Burgers

Vegetarian Black Bean Quinoa Burgers

These black bean quinoa burgers are hearty, healthy and a great way to get tons of plant-based protein into your meal!
Check out this recipe
black bean burgers on a bun with onion, tomato and lettuce

Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers

These Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers are hearty and filling with beans, sweet potatoes, and oats.
Check out this recipe

Black Bean Quinoa Bites with Vegan Queso Dip

How fun are these little bite-sized dippers?! A combo of black beans and quinoa make them a nutritious snack or main.
Check out this recipe

Tex-Mex Quinoa Burgers

These satisfying quinoa and black bean veggie burgers are loaded with the flavors of the Southwest.
Check out this recipe

Dessert with Black Beans

peanut-butter-quinoa-brownies

Sugar-Free Peanut Butter Quinoa Brownies

It's like a peanut butter cup in brownie form! You'll never guess these brownies are made with beans.

Let us know your favorite canned black bean recipes down in the comments! And if you end up trying one of these recipes, come back to the post and let us know which one.

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