25 Amazing Black Bean Recipes
I love eating black beans! My only problem is trying to think of black bean recipes to make. Yes, there’s the traditional black beans & rice combination…and I do LOVE that mix, but I like a little bit of variety in my life. Especially since we don’t eat a lot of red meat in my family, so we’re always looking at other sources of protein.
If you’re not too sure about the nutritional factors and health benefits of black beans, then you’re missing out on this superfood!
Black beans are a popular food throughout Latin America, and black bean soup is one of the national dishes of Cuba. Black beans have gained popularity in the United States as an ingredient to add to some commercially prepared foods because they are high in fiber and protein, are low in sodium, and contain significant amounts of folate, iron, phosphorus, and manganese.
Black beans can be purchased in several forms, including dried and canned. All black beans start out black; however, black bean soup is black because the black color came from a process that occurred while cooking the black beans in water. Canned black beans are ready to eat after being drained of their liquid. Dried black beans must be soaked for several hours and cooked until tender.
One advantage of black beans over other types of dried beans is that black beans do not need to be presoaked before cooking because they do not contain a compound called phytohaemagglutinin, which can cause extreme intestinal discomfort if consumed without proper preparation.
What is the history of black beans?
Black beans have been used as the main ingredient in many dishes for thousands of years. They were first cultivated from 4,000 to 5,000 years ago in Peru and Brazil, but black beans were even an important part of Aztec society over 800 years ago.
Why are black beans so healthy?
A black bean salad is a great lunch, but black beans are also a healthy dinner choice. Like other legumes, black beans include dietary fiber and resistant starch, which can promote satiety and weight loss. Black beans also contain protein, vitamins B1 and folate as well as magnesium. These nutritional benefits along with black beans’ ability to lower blood sugar have made black beans popular with people on a black bean soup diet or black bean recipes diet.
What are black beans like?
Black beans have dark shiny skin and creamy black insides. Black beans will appear pure black when raw, but they become black with purple hues once cooked. The texture of black beans is soft and smooth, making them perfect for black bean chili, black bean soup, or black bean salad.
How should black beans be stored?
Black beans are best when fresh, so it is important to store black beans properly before cooking them. Keep black beans in an airtight container at room temperature and they will stay fresh for up to one week. If you purchase black beans from the bulk section of your grocery store, be sure to transfer black beans into an airtight container or plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to one year.
Can black beans be cooked from dry or do black bean recipes require canned black beans?
It is possible to make black bean soup from dry black beans, but it will take some time and a black bean soup recipe. Black beans must be soaked in water for at least six hours to soften and cook for one hour, so black bean recipes using dry black beans are not easily accessible to most home cooks. Canned black beans are sold at all major grocery stores and can easily be used for black bean salad or black bean dip.
25 Amazing & Delicious Black Bean Recipes
These black bean burgers are thick and hearty, making a tasty vegetarian dinner.
First, make a batch of black bean soup in the slow cooker. Then use the leftover soup to make enchiladas.
3. Strawberry Black Bean Salad
A light salad that is perfect for a hot summer day. Who can pass up strawberries and black beans?
4. Black Bean and Sweet Potato Chili
This vegan and gluten-free Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili is absolute perfection. (It’s full of rich, cozy flavors.) It’ll quickly become your favorite chili recipe!
5. Black Bean and Avocado Breakfast Burritos
A quick and easy breakfast that is high in protein.
This recipe is quick, healthy, easy to make, and full of flavor.
Chipotle black bean soup is satisfying, despite its light taste. Fresh pineapple salsa verde adds a sweet and tangy flavor to the meal.
8. Sweet Potato Black Bean Burgers
This burger, made from a base of sweet potatoes and black beans, is bound together with sweet corn, caramelized red onion, and gluten-free brown rice flour. This healthy burger even satisfies meat-eaters.
9. Plantain Black Bean Breakfast Hash
This vegan plantain breakfast hash adds a Caribbean flavor to your breakfast and keeps you satisfied.
These vegan black bean brownies are loaded with rich chocolate flavor and have a fudgy texture.
11. Brown Rice Vermicelli with Salted Black Beans
All amounts in this recipe are only suggestions as the flavors can be fully adjusted depending on your mood or how much of each ingredient is available.
12. Wild Rice and Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Black bean-wild rice burgers are mixed with eggs, bread crumbs, and spices to make an incredibly flavorful, hearty burger that freezes well and is delish.
13. Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Pea Soup
For New Year’s many people love Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Pea Soup. The soup is mildly spicy and easy to prepare.
14. Garlicky Red Quinoa Patties with Mango Black Bean Salsa
The patties have a simple flavor, yet can stand up to the intense sweetness of the mango salsa well. If you’re pressed for time, top your quinoa with the mango black bean salsa instead.
15. Turkey and Black Bean Enchiladas
Delicious, flavorful, and made with ingredients you likely already have on hand, these turkey and black bean enchiladas are easy to prep for meals throughout the week.
16. 5 Ingredient Black Bean Soup
This black bean soup is packed with flavor, and ready to serve in 20 minutes without any extra fuss.
17. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tamales
This vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free recipe for sweet potato and black bean tamales is full of flavor, heat, and melts in your mouth. It’s sure to become a family favorite!
Enjoy a new approach to black beans with slider buns. Serve them with garlic bread and traditional chili toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
19. Mexican Vegetarian Stuffed Mini Peppers
Invigorate your taste buds with this simple veggie-packed appetizer or side dish!
Add Mexican Quinoa Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette to your menu if you’re looking for a vegetarian main dish or side that is healthy and delicious.
This healthy meal contains crispy polenta rounds topped with sautéed veggies and black beans.
Covered in layers of corn tortillas, black beans, onions, sweet corn, and cheese. The creamy mixture of black beans and sweet corn is cooked in vegan craft beer to give extra flavor.
5-minute Black Bean Hummus is a great alternative to classic hummus. The combination of black beans, lime juice, tahini, garlic, and spices results in a creamy dip with a unique flavor.
24. Black Bean Mango Salsa Cups
This ridiculously quick and fantastically fulfilling Black Bean & Mango Salsa Cups recipe is ready to serve in 15 minutes or less!
25. Almond-Crusted Chicken with Lemony Olive & Black Bean Relish
Almond-Crusted Chicken with Lemony Olive and Black Bean Relish is a date night meal that can also be enjoyed as an easy weeknight meal.
I hope you enjoyed the recipes in this blog post and found some inspiration for your next meal. Remember, beans are a great source of protein and fiber that can be added to any diet. If you’ve never cooked with black beans before, give them a try! You may just find yourself adding it into your weekly meal prep routine.
Oh man, these recipes are a dream come true for me! Pinning and can’t wait to try every single one – especially the VEGAN TAMALES!