Tacos, enchiladas, salads, soups, and even dessert! There are so many delicious black bean recipes to try!
Several years ago my husband and I were on a Qdoba kick. He loved getting their gigantic chicken burritos while I opted for a burrito bowl filled with chicken, black beans, and all the yummy toppings. One day we realized we could probably recreate these meals in our own kitchen and bought cans of black beans for the first time.
I grew up eating a variety of beans, but black beans weren’t one of them! Turns out, they’re my favorite. Since making our own burrito bowls, we now use them in quesadillas (I love mine with just beans and cheese, soooo good!), nachos, or I’ll even just eat a bowl of black beans with some shredded cheese and salsa. Delish!
If you want an easy black beans recipe for a quick side dish, you really don’t need much. Heat canned black beans over medium heat with a few simple ingredients like chili powder, cumin, garlic, and a squeeze of lime juice.
The cooking time is short, and you’ve got some really good Mexican black beans to serve with tacos, burrito bowls, quesadillas, or whatever else you’re making. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge to use for another meal.
26 Black Bean Recipes
Also, since my son has some food allergies which include chicken (I know!), I’m always trying to find new ways to get protein in his meals and think black beans will for sure be a great way to do that. There are some good meat- and egg-free recipes here if you need a vegan recipe, and some gluten-free options too if that’s what you need at your house (like we also need at mine!).
Since we now always have a few cans on hand, I thought I’d see if I could find some easy recipes and new ways to use them. I hit the web to bring you (and me) some of my new favorite black bean recipes! Whether you need an easy black bean recipe for dinner or just want something different to make with that can sitting in the pantry, there are so many good ideas here. I have a feeling a few of these are going to become favorite recipes at our house.
Black Bean Recipes
Burgers to enchiladas, soups to dessert, what will you make?
Black Bean Salsa Recipe
I've seen this called black bean salsa, hummus, or even Texas Caviar. Whatever you call it, it's so, so good! (And it's even better the longer it can sit in fridge, if you can wait that long to eat it!)
Quick And Easy Instant Pot Rice and Beans
Loaded with the bold flavor of salsa and spices, this hearty dish is a delicious addition to taco night. This Mexican Instant Pot rice and beans recipe also would be the perfect base for a burrito or burrito bowl.
Black Bean Brownies
The BEST Black Bean Brownies Recipe ever + a video! I make these embarrassingly often because they are the perfect dessert that’s ready in 30 minutes and are delicious straight from the oven.
Small Batch Black Bean Hummus
Easy to make small batch Black Bean Hummus recipe is the perfect amount to serve one, two, or just a few. A delicious alternative to traditional chickpea hummus. Enjoy with raw vegetables, crackers or tortilla chips or spread on sandwiches. No tahini needed!
10 Minute Homemade Refried Black Beans
Homemade Refried Black Beans ready in 10 minutes! The perfect addition to your family taco nights!
Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl For One
This slow cooker chicken burrito bowl is so easy to make! Made with 1 chicken breast (or thigh) and a handful of pantry staples, this burrito bowl is a winner! Amazing flavors, easy to make, and filled with fresh ingredients.
Vegetarian Verde Enchiladas
These vegetarian verde enchiladas are packed full of vegetables. Sweet potato, black bean, and kale stuffed enchiladas with a homemade verde sauce over the top.
Easy Vegan Mexican Skillet Recipe
Prepping for family mealtime is quick and easy, when you make my vegan Mexican skillet recipe. This is a dish that my family loves, so I make it often.
Southwestern Stuffed Poblano Peppers
These stuffed poblano peppers are a party in a pepper! These poblano peppers are stuffed with ground beef, black beans, corn, in a chipotle pepper sauce. A flavorful southwestern stuffed pepper recipe
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burgers
These sweet potato and black bean patties are a yummy vegetarian meal that come together quickly!
Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
These crispy sweet potato black bean tacos are super easy to make and full of flavor.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tortilla Soup Recipe
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tortilla Soup is a hearty and delicious vegetarian soup made in the crockpot using canned goods and fresh ingredients.
Black Beans and Rice
Black Beans and Brown Rice combined with fresh herbs and spices. Serve as a side dish or a main. This recipe is a great use of pantry staples.
Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
This Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup with cilantro lime chicken is a delicious, under 30 minute meal. Quickly sauté chicken right in your pressure cooker to boost the flavor before adding fire roasted tomatoes, black beans, and sweet corn to complete this hearty soup.
Black Bean Nachos Recipe
This easy Black Bean Nachos Recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. These nachos are topped with black beans, cheese, and loaded with toppings, plus they are cooked in less than 10 minutes. You can have your family fed a delicious and healthy meal in almost no time!
Instant Pot Taco Pasta With Black Beans
This instant pot taco pasta recipe includes an added pack of protein with the addition of black beans. It’s a dish of warm comfort food that is both quick and easy and reminiscent of childhood.
Black Bean Sliders
These black bean sliders are designed to be a fun dish that could be shared at a party as a heavy appetizer and are a perfect accompaniment to fries.
Black Bean & Cojita Cheese Dip
Quick and easy 6 layers black bean and Cojita cheese dip. Made with canned black beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and Cojita cheese. This dip is perfect for potlucks and parties!
Black Bean Enchilada Bake
This black bean enchilada bake is one of my favorite casseroles! It comes together really quickly and has an amazing flavor!
Buffalo Chicken Bowls
Buffalo Chicken Bowls are a delicious dinner! These bowls are so easy to make and loaded with chicken, black beans, veggies and more! Simple to prep ahead of time too!
Vegan Black Bean Meatballs with Zoodles and Marinara
These meatless black bean meatballs are so chewy and satiating! Easy to make and totally customizable, they are high in plant-based protein and so scrumptious.
Roasted Ground Beef Chili
This is not just any beef chili, this is the best chili on earth! The meat is oven roasted with honey and then slow cooked on the stovetop for a deep and rich flavor. My homemade ground beef chili recipe is packed full of yummy ingredients and is easy to make.
Blackened Salmon with Mango Black Bean Relish
Fresh and delicious pan-seared Blackened Salmon topped with mango black bean relish is a quick and elegant meal.
Leftover Turkey Quesadillas with Black Beans
Put that leftover turkey, chicken, or pulled pork to good use and make these Quesadillas with Black Beans. Black beans taste so good in quesadillas. If you haven't tried adding them yet, you must!
Baked Huevos Rancheros (Rancher’s Eggs)
Huevos Rancheros, or Eggs Ranch-Style are hearty and delicious for any meal of the day. Baking it all in one dish makes clean up a breeze, too.
Southwestern Egg Rolls With Rotisserie Chicken
These Southwestern Egg Rolls, made with rotisserie chicken, are the perfect appetizer and will be a surefire hit for your next game night or gathering.
There are so many different ways to use black beans, whether you’re looking for a quick meal, a delicious side dish, or just something new to try. I love that you can grab a can of beans from the pantry and turn it into a delicious recipe depending on what sounds good that day.
And you definitely don’t need a complicated ingredient list to make something good! Sometimes a simple recipe is all you need. From tacos and soups to salads, dips, and desserts, these are all great ways to put those cans of black beans in your pantry to good use.
I seriously don’t know which recipe to try first. Some enchiladas? A black bean burger? Maybe nachos…I’m always up for nachos! I’ve also always wondering how to roast canned beans or use them to make brownies, so maybe that’s what I’ll try next time!
Which of these black bean recipes look good to you?
Need some more ideas? How about 100 ways to use bananas?