That humble can of black beans stashed away in your pantry is a great meal waiting to happen. For one thing, you don’t have to take the time to soak and boil the beans before adding spices, mix-ins, and flavors—and those shiny little beans are a powerhouse of nutrition, too. Besides being an inexpensive source of high-quality protein and fiber, they’re loaded with potassium, iron, folic acid, magnesium, and antioxidants. Here are quick and easy meals you can make with canned black beans.
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Black Beans and Rice
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Variations of this classic, unbeatable dish are mainstays in kitchens around the world. This version takes only five minutes to prepare, but results in a delicious, hearty dish you’ll want second (and thirds) of.
“I added a can of diced tomatoes,” shared one Allrecipes member. “It would be very good as a side with chicken, pork or beef. It’s also great for a lunch bowl with nacho chips and shredded cheese.”
Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
There’s something so special about a good black bean burger—but you have to get the ratio just right. Almost 2,500 reviewers rated this recipe 5-stars, so we think this one may be a winner.
“These were by far the best black bean burgers I have ever had,” shared an Allrecipes user. “They were crusty on the outside and soft and moist on the inside. I used a yellow pepper, and 1/2 of a jalapeño pepper. Replace the egg with aquafaba and it becomes vegan. Delicious!”
Black Bean and Salsa Soup
Astoundingly, this simple black bean soup recipe has over 1,500 5-star ratings—you can’t get much better than that! Plus, you’ll only need six ingredients and 10 minutes of prep to put this together.
“This is a fantastic recipe,” shared one Allrecipes member. “Now I know why there are so many glowing reviews. Upon other reviewers’ suggestions, I saved one cup of beans to add whole.”
Ultimate Cowboy Caviar
Jason Donnelly / Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman / Prop Stylist: Addelyn Evans
If you haven’t had Cowboy Caviar, let me introduce you to your favorite new snack. This party dip recipe has three kinds of peppers—fresh, pickled, and roasted—and a delicious homemade garlic and lime dressing that is so very zesty and tasty.
“Made this for a party of 50 people and everyone raved about it and have had many requests for the recipe,” said one Allrecipes member. “I tripled the recipe for this party and made it the night before. This is an easy recipe to make. Thank you Chef John for a outstanding recipe. 5 stars.”
Mexican Pasta
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This vegetarian pasta is hearty, delicious, and completely customizable. Use this recipe as a foundation and add in any veggies you need to use, as well as any topping like shredded cheese, avocado, or sour cream.
“Everyone loved this recipe,” said one Allrecipes reviewer. “I doubled everything except the beans. I used Rotel in place of plain stewed tomatoes. It had just the right amount of zing!”
Easy Stuffed Taco Sweet Potatoes
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Move over tortillas—there’s a new taco shell in town. Sweet potatoes work so well with the flavors of your favorite taco, adding a sweet creaminess to every bite.
“WOW, this was absolutely FANTASTIC,” said Allrecipes Allstar Christina. “Somewhere between the grocery store and home I managed to lose the cilantro, but other than that I made this as written. Love how customizable this is too! A definite keeper-yum!”
One-Skillet Mexican Quinoa
Packed full of protein and fiber, this vegan-friendly dish is easy to make as a main dish or side dish.
“Everyone loved it, they would have eaten seconds if there were any left,” said one reviewer. “I am definitely saving this recipe. And I love that it is healthy and vegetarian. By the way, putting some queso fresco on top makes it extra tasty!
Mexican Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
Allrecipes member Donna M says these vegetarian stuffed peppers have a flavorful and cheesy Mexican-inspired filling made with rice, black beans, and tomatoes, spiced with chili and cumin. “My kids loved them,” she said. “If you have small bell peppers, use more of them for this recipe. They taste great with a dollop of sour cream on top.”
Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
Nearly 3,000 home cooks have made this delicious family-friendly recipe. Double up the filling mixture and use it in enchiladas, on top of salad greens, or as a taco-topper.
“Cooking in the oven helps when you want to have them all done at once instead of one at a time,” suggested one reviewer. “I baked it at 350 for 10 minutes, then broiled the tops until browned.”
Six Can Chicken Tortilla Soup
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Six cans, 20 minutes, and 1,500 5-star ratings—this recipe is a weeknight winner.
“Delicious and EASY zesty soup recipe that uses only 6 canned ingredients,” shared one Allrecipes user. “Serve over tortilla chips, and top with shredded Cheddar cheese. Throw away the cans and no one will know that it is not from scratch!”
Black Bean Tacos
Allrecipes member Courtney LeClaire, who shared this recipe, says that this “tangy black bean and salsa verde tacos take only minutes to make and are flavorful and delicious!” It’s an easy veggie dinner, and you can add any of your favorite taco toppings to make it completely your own.
“Amazing, no changes made,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “Served with guacamole, cheese, lettuce and tomato.”
Black Bean Breakfast Bowl
Creamy avocado, fresh pico de gallo, chewy black beans and protein-packed scrambled eggs—can you think of a better way to start the day?
“Fast and tasty,” shared one Allrecipes reviewer. “Cooked the black beans for five minutes on the stove and added in fresh cilantro. This would make a great breakfast, but I think it made an even better lunch.”
Delicious Black Bean Burritos
Cream cheese adds a fun twist to an otherwise straightforward bean burrito, adding a creamy texture and lovely tartness.
“This a great recipe for our family. I have made it several times. I usually have the ingredients on hand and it’s easy and quick to put together. Not to mention very tasty,” shared an Allrecipes reviewer.
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Canned black beans team up with chili beans in this tasty veggie-packed soup, along with vegetable broth, canned corn, diced green chilis, chicken breasts and more.
“I make it in large batches and serve for a couple of days and then freeze the rest in meal size packaging,” shares an Allrecipes member. “There is always a bag in my freezer for those nights I do not want to prepare a meal. My favorite dish!”
Pulled Pork Casserole
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
Allrecipes recipe developer Juliana Hale says “this pulled pork casserole with black beans and corn is an easy stir-together casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck. Top with pickled onions and coleslaw.”
Reviewers love it. “Great stick to the bones meal,” shared one Allrecipes member. “I like the flavors. The pickled red onions and cole slaw go great with this dish.”
Fantastic Black Bean Chili
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
There’s no easier way to feed a crowd. This turkey chili is packed with all your familiar flavors, and only takes 20 minutes of prep time.
“My husband loved this recipe,” shared an Allrecipes reviewer. “[It’s] even better than the one I’ve been making for years. It’s his go-to whenever I ask him what he wants me to make for dinner.”
Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
I recently had feijoada for the first time and let me tell you, it checks all the boxes—hearty, tasty, smokey, and relatively inexpensive. It’s my new favorite winter stew.
“I made this for the meat lovers in my house but I have to admit I love it too,” said a reviewer. “It is absolutely delicious. All the flavors cook well together for a long time, so you really get a fantastic taste. We had some left over and it was wonderful heated up the next day too. I’m keeping this on my main list.”
Black Bean Brownies
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
The taste of black beans are hidden away in this brownie recipe, but still packed with all the extra fiber and nutrients.
“I have a killer sweet tooth and I have to say these are pretty gosh darn good,” shared an Allrecipes member. “I experimented a little and found that adding about a teaspoon of baking powder gives a little more cake-like brownie if you prefer that texture. I left out the coffee and I cannot taste any black bean flavor. Great recipe!”
Southwestern Sweet Potato and Black Bean Pasta Salad
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
This Southwestern sweet potato and black bean pasta salad combines all your favorite Southwestern components with pasta in a chipotle vinaigrette.
It features adobo, cilantro, cumin, oregano, and cotija alongside the main players of sweet potato, black beans, and noodles for something a little unexpected, but totally delicious.
Chicken Taco Dump Dinner
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
For this chicken taco dump dinner, chicken, beans, and salsa are mixed together and layered with corn tortillas and cheese in an easy casserole. Serve with any taco toppings you like, such as shredded lettuce, chopped red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, taco sauce, sour cream, chopped avocado, and crushed tortilla chips.
“This is a super easy, quick meal,” shared an Allrecipes member. “Only suggestion would be to put a light layer of salsa on the bottom to keep that first layer of tortillas from getting tough.”