30 Best Black Bean Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, or Even Dessert
Grab a can the next time you're at the grocery store!
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Our motto: A can of black beans can take you far in life. That's the case for Ree Drummond, at least. She's been known to stock her pantry with the supermarket staple. "About once a year I go to a warehouse club and buy things in bulk, like flour, rice, and beans," Ree says. Black beans, especially, can be put to good use in a variety of meals—whether it's comforting chili recipes, taco night, meatless burgers, or even a healthy breakfast idea (like huevos rancheros). So, the next time you head to the grocery store, be sure to pick up a can or two of black beans and see for yourself with these easy, affordable, and nutritious black bean recipes.
Whether you're looking for an exciting new family dinner to make using only items from your pantry, or you want to impress your vegetarian friends with a protein-packed meal, there are plenty of options in our collection of the best black bean recipes. Along with all the flavorful Tex-Mex meals like enchiladas and burritos, there's also a party dip recipe, and a healthy dessert that calls for black beans instead of flour. There's even a simple Instant Pot hack for cooking your own dried beans. Of course, there's nothing wrong with reaching for the canned kind. It's one of the best ways to get dinner, lunch, or breakfast on the table in just a matter of minutes!
Black Bean Burger
Ree loves these meatless burgers because they're quick and easy make thanks to a can of black beans. "If you have a last-minute hankering for black bean burgers, you don't have to wait four hundred years while you cook a batch from scratch," she says.
Get Ree's Black Bean Burger recipe.
Corn and Black Bean Salsa
This easy bean and corn medley is delicious as a dip with tortilla chips, but you can also serve it over tacos, salads, or grilled chicken.
Get the Corn and Black Bean Salsa recipe.
Huevos Rancheros
These ranch-style eggs are loaded with protein from both the eggs and the black beans so they'll keep your family energized all day long. Of course, they would also make for a delicious breakfast-for-dinner, too.
Get the Huevos Rancheros recipe.
Black Bean Chili
This recipe is all about getting dinner on the table fast so canned beans work perfectly fine. It's also loaded with ground turkey, spices, and poblano pepper.
Get the Black Bean Chili recipe.
Taco Casserole
This twist on Taco Tuesday can feed a crowd. The chips, beef, and beans are layered in a single dish just like lasagna!
Get the Taco Casserole recipe.
Black Beans and Rice
This staple side dish comes together in just 30 minutes so it's perfect for busy weeknights. Serve it alongside chicken, steak, or fish for a family dinner that everyone will love.
Get the Black Beans and Rice recipe.
Taco Soup
Put your pantry to work with this easy soup recipe. It has canned black beans, pinto beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chiles!
Get the Taco Soup recipe.
Chipotle Black Bean Burgers
Homemade veggie burgers are even tastier than the frozen kind, and they’re surprisingly easy to make. This vegetarian patty blends protein-packed black beans and chipotle chiles for texture and flavor.
Get Ree's Chipotle Black Bean Burgers recipe.
Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas
Vegetarian or not—everyone will love these hearty enchiladas. The warm tortillas are dipped in a green enchilada sauce and then filled with cheese, beans, and squash.
Get Ree's Butternut Squash and Black Bean Enchiladas recipe.
Easy Taco Salad
It's everything you love about tacos (ground beef, beans, chiles, and plenty of toppings) in salad form! This recipe is perfect for a light dinner or weekday lunch.
Get Ree's Easy Taco Salad recipe.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This soup is packed with protein thanks to hearty black beans and shredded chicken. But it’s the assortment of toppings that make this soup so much fun to eat.
Get Ree's Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos
Flavorful spiced beans and roasted sweet potatoes make a tasty filling for these easy tacos. Serve them on Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, or any day of the week!
7-Can Soup
This is the ultimate pantry recipe—it uses seven canned goods and a shelf-stable cheese to make one of the easiest soups on earth.
Get Ree's 7-Can Soup recipe.
Veggie Chili
Veggie chili is delicious on its own but serve it over baked potatoes or with a plate of cheese nachos and you've got yourself a feast.
Get Ree's Veggie Chili recipe.
Barbecue Chicken Salad
You won’t believe how fresh this salad is—even with the use of canned beans! It’s sure to become your new go-to recipe.
Get Ree's Barbecue Chicken Salad recipe.
Beef and Bean Taco Skillet
This easy one-pan dinner can go straight from the stovetop to the table. All the ingredients (ground beef, beans, and veggies) are cooked in the same skillet, so cleanup is a breeze.
Get Ree's Beef and Bean Taco Skillet recipe.
Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
Try a lighter take on Taco Tuesday with these refreshing lettuce wraps. They’re perfect for holding the flavorful ground turkey and black bean filling.
Get Ree's Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps recipe.
Healthy 7-Layer Dip
This game-day party app has seven layers of flavor. Use your favorite pita chips or homemade tortilla chips for scooping it all up!
Get the Healthy 7-Layer Dip recipe.
Grilled Veggie Burritos
You can customize these black bean burritos to your liking using whatever veggies you have on hand. Don't forget your favorite fillings, like avocado, salsa, sour cream, and hot sauce, to name a few.
Get Ree's Grilled Veggie Burritos recipe.
Easy Enchilada Soup
This cozy soup is thick, zesty, and packed with flavor. Serve it on a cold day with a handful of tortilla chips for dipping.
Get the Easy Enchilada Soup recipe.
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