55 Best Ways To Add Black Beans To Every Recipe
We're even adding them to dessert.
Newsflash: Those cans of black beans at the back of your pantry are ready to become something beautiful. We just know it. Black beans are not only delicious, but they're budget-friendly, versatile, and we always seem to have a few cans of them hanging around (especially for these black bean brownies). It's definitely time to appreciate these most magical beans with these 55 black bean recipes, like cowboy caviar, Mexican chicken casserole, and black bean burgers.
With a heartier flavor and texture compared to creamy, earthy pinto beans, black beans are our go-to for hearty stews, burritos, and enchiladas. Black beans are also an easy way to add fiber and protein, or an extra layer of heartiness to any of your favorite meals, like we did in our recipes for BBQ chicken salad and Crockpot chicken enchilada soup.
When we have the time and plan, we go for cooking dried beans, which have a superior texture to canned. Want to know how to cook black beans like a pro? Opt for cooking dried beans in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, which cuts out any soaking and cooking time. Be sure to save salting the beans until they're tender, as salt slows down softening time as well (the same is true for acidic foods, like tomatoes and vinegar).
Have plenty of canned chickpeas on hand too? Well, we also have tons of exciting ways to use up canned chickpeas—and no, they're not just hummus. On a meatless kick? Keep it up with our favorite vegetarian recipes and easy vegan recipes.
Chalupas
Full disclosure: This may not be exactly like the Taco Bell chalupa you’re probably thinking of. Chalupas are a classic Mexican street food snack that are crispy, savory, and fun to eat. Usually chalupas are served like a tostada—a tortilla or masa fried in oil with a little bit of salsa roja (a tomato-based salsa pureed with chiles, white onion, and lime) or salsa verde—topped with shredded meat, onions, and cotija cheese. It’s that simple! But because we know you’re looking for the fluffy fry bread-like taco shell, we decided to create a version that was the best of both chalupa worlds and we think you'll be very happy with the result.
Get the Chalupas recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
If looking for a recipe to get your dinner party guests hyped, then Cowboy Caviar is a favorable option. Pour the mixture into your favorite ceramic bowl, place it in the center of the table, and let everyone go wild. Although the likely question may be, “where’s the caviar?” this salsa-like recipe takes on the name due to the black-eyed peas. Don’t let anyone get fooled!
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Skillet Chili & Meatballs
This skillet chili and meatballs recipe combines the best of a game-day snack and the components of spicy chili into a single dish. Rather than crumbling the ground meat as in the classic dish, you'll form those same elements into perfect meatballs. Bathed in a tasty chili sauce, the dish becomes a dip and an app all in one. Thanks to two cans of beans—one black and one kidney—this filling, hearty meal is perfect for a laid-back dinner too.
Get the Skillet Chili & Meatballs recipe.
BBQ Chicken Salad
Some salads are meant to be sides, but some (the best ones!) can stand as a dinner all on their own. This BBQ chicken salad is firmly in the latter camp: Juicy grilled BBQ chicken sits alongside festive South-of-the-border-inspired toppings like black beans, corn, cheese, and tortilla strips. Put that on top of some crunchy romaine and drizzle it with BBQ sauce and ranch dressing, and you’ve got yourself a hearty meal you’ll look forward to eating again and again.
Get the BBQ Chicken Salad recipe.
5-Ingredient Black Bean Tostadas
You can always add on additional toppings like corn salsa, avocado ranch, or endless crunchy veggies like radishes or pickled red onions, but here we keep things simple. With ingredients you're likely to have on hand, these tostadas make for an easy, last-minute meal you'll have on repeat.
Green Chile Chicken Skillet Enchiladas
Craving homemade enchiladas and being in a hurry aren't really compatible since the classic Mexican dish requires many steps and a fair amount of time. Enter this green chile chicken skillet enchiladas recipe, a quick take on the dish that comes together in one skillet. Add a dollop of sour cream for serving, and you’ve got the fastest "enchiladas" ever.
Loaded Black Bean Dip
Black beans are blended with lots of garlic, jalapeño, and cheese, and then topped with even more cheese before baking (cue the perfect cheese pull). Pile on the delicious topping after baking for a truly delectable dip.
Get the Loaded Black Bean Dip recipe.
Turkey Zucchini Enchilada Casserole
There are few things zucchini can't do, it seems. From grilled zucchini to zucchini soup and zucchini lattice lasagna, you can use it in so many different ways. Here, the summer squash is standing in for corn tortillas in this savory turkey zucchini enchilada casserole recipe, and we might love it more than the original.
Black Bean And Corn Salad
This easy salad comes together quickly and works as a side dish, a great topping for tacos, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips. Think of this as a medley of the most exciting parts of a vegetarian burrito bowl, unadulterated by rice, and hyped up by a little honey-lime action.
Get the Black Bean And Corn Salad recipe.
How To Cook Black Beans
Unsure how to best prepare black beans from scratch? Look no further! Here's a primer to get you started so you can get to making burritos, tostadas, black bean and corn salad, or an enchilada casserole. We even love to serve them alongside a simple roast chicken with rice or blackened tilapia!
Get the Black Bean recipe.
Black Bean Burger
Finding alternatives to meat can be hard, but we think these burgers really nail it. The secret? Stop trying to make them taste like beef, and focus on the flavor of the beans!
Get the Black Bean Burgers recipe.
Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet
Is there anything better than a one skillet meal? We don’t think so, particularly if it’s as family-friendly and quick as this one, featuring spiced ground beef, flavorful rice, hearty beans, and lots of cheese. It all comes together in just 40 minutes with minimal prep, and is a total weeknight dinner win.
Get the Mexican Beef 'N' Rice Skillet recipe.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Smoky, hearty, with a jolt of citrus, this is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal for all year round.
Chicken Tostadas
Are tostadas the perfect weeknight dinner? We think they just might be. They have all the delicious crunch of a tortilla chip but act as a vehicle for whatever toppings you like. Here, that means creamy refried beans and a chile-spiked shredded chicken topping. (We're also known to top them with black beans and avocado for a five-ingredient dinner, or to fry tostadas at home when the craving strikes.)
Get the Chicken Tostadas recipe.
Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
For when you want a comforting, hearty, and (best of all) healthy meal. We'll take extra jalapeños, please.
Get the Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup
Looking for a low effort, stick-to-your-ribs dinner? You've come to the right place. This Tex-Mex inspired soup is hearty, delicious, and endlessly riffable. Mix and match your favorite toppings. Try crushed Fritos, cubed avocado, roasted pumpkin seeds, pickled or fresh jalapeños, pickled red onions... whatever floats your boat.
Mexican Chicken Casserole
There’s your average casserole… and then there’s this cheesy, loaded Mexican chicken casserole. Filled with a creamy sauce, two kinds of cheese, and plenty of chicken, there’s something in this dish for everyone. While this is certainly not an authentic Mexican dish, it combines lots of flavors and ingredients that will remind you of tacos, enchiladas, and your favorite Mexican/Tex-Mex meals. It's perfect for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a crowd, or for spicing up your weeknight dinner any time of year.
Get the Mexican Chicken Casserole recipe.
Air Fryer Tahini Black Bean Fritters
Freezer aisle veggie burgers getting you down? Forget the cardboard-like bean patties that have been staple vegetarian fare for decades. Here, a combination of mushrooms and beans result in a tender texture. Plus, these easy fritters are packed with delicious ingredients like miso paste, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and tahini, meaning every bite is infused with flavor.
Chili Cheese Sweet Potato Casserole
If you think every bowl of chili should be hidden under mounds of melty cheese and a big dollop of sour cream, this is the casserole for you. With roasted sweet potatoes and black bean chili layered together under a gooey blanket of cheese, this easy vegetarian weeknight dinner is both incredibly comforting and surprisingly hearty.
Burrito Zoodles
Zoodles allow this dish to be extra delicious and satisfying while keeping it low carb and something you don't feel bad about. It's a win-win and we can't get enough.
Get the Burrito Zoodles recipe.
