Vegan Black Beans & Recipes to Use Them
Black beans are a versatile and nutritious ingredient perfect for a variety of recipes, from hearty soups to delicious tacos and burgers. Packed with protein and fiber, they add rich flavor and health benefits to any plant-based meal. These are my favorite Vegan Black Bean Recipes that are oil-free and delicious!
My family uses black beans in so many recipes like my vegan black bean burgers, this black bean dip for veggies and chips, healthy bean salad, and so much more. I’ve even been known to add them to my healthy grits for breakfast in the mornings.
Seriously! The uses for these healthy legumes are only limited by your imagination. I even make dairy-free black bean brownies and take them to social gatherings, and no one can believe they are made from beans! Also, be sure to check out our Black Bean Recipes page.
Reasons you will love these recipes
- Nutritious and Wholesome: Packed with protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, black beans make these recipes a healthy choice for any meal.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: These easy, oil-free recipes are ideal for batch cooking, saving you time and effort during busy weeks.
- Flavorful and Versatile: From hearty soups to savory burgers, these black bean recipes are loaded with bold flavors and can be customized to suit your taste.
- Budget-Friendly Goodness: Affordable and accessible, black beans are a pantry staple that keeps these recipes wallet-friendly without sacrificing quality.
Methods for cooking black beans
Whether you buy black beans in a can already cooked, make them from scratch on the stovetop, or pop them in an InstantPot for a quick cook, you can’t go wrong. They are inexpensive, nutritious, and so delicious.
For either one of these cooking methods, the first step will be to rinse and sort the dry uncooked beans. To do this, I place them in a colander in my sink and rinse them well.
You might be surprised that they don’t have to be soaked. As a matter of fact, they’re better if you skip the soaking altogether–less mushy and deeper in color.
Instant Pot Instructions
- STEP #1: Rinse and sort the dry beans.
- STEP #2: Add 1 cup black beans to your Instant Pot along with 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3 cups water (or 1 cup vegetable broth + 2 cups water, to add more flavor).
- STEP #3: Seal the lid and pressure cook on high for 25 minutes, then allow for a slow release for 20 minutes.
- STEP #4: Season to your taste preference, serve, and enjoy!
Stovetop Instructions
- STEP #1: Rinse and sort the dry beans.
- STEP #2: Add 1 cup black beans to a medium-sized pot along with 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cover with 3-4 inches of water or veggie broth. This should be about 4 cups of liquid.
- STEP #3: Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook uncovered, adding more water as needed to keep the beans submerged. Check them regularly. They should cook for approximately 2-2.5 hours, but test the texture during the last 30 minutes to see if they are tender.
- STEP #4: Add more salt or other seasonings and serve.
Black bean nutrition facts
Black beans are a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates to keep you full and energized. They’re also rich in essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, folate, and antioxidants that support overall health and wellness.
A half cup of cooked black beans is packed with nutrition!
- Less than 1 gram of fat
- Calories: 113
- Protein: 8 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- High in folic acid and magnesium
- Good source of potassium and iron
The Bottom Line
Incorporating vegan black beans into your diet is a simple and delicious way to boost your meals with plant-based protein and fiber. Whether you’re simmering them in a hearty chili, blending them into a creamy dip, or adding them to vibrant salads, black beans are incredibly versatile and easy to prepare.
By following my cooking tips and exploring our diverse recipes, you can enjoy the rich flavor and numerous health benefits of this nutritious legume. Start experimenting with black beans in your kitchen today, and discover new favorite dishes that are both satisfying and wholesome!
Frequently Asked Questions
One can of cooked beans equals 1.5 cups.
Yes, black beans can be easily cooked in a slow cooker. After washing the beans, place them in the slow cooker with enough water to cover them by about 2 inches. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beans are tender.
The freshness of your beans determines the cooking time required. The fresher they are, the faster they will cook and the better they will taste.
If you are using canned black beans, they absolutely need to be drained and rinsed before use. If you have made them fresh, it really depends on the recipe you plan to use them in. If they will be used in a dish like my black bean corn salad, meatless black bean burgers, or vegan nachos, for instance, I would drain the dark juices from them first. If you plan to include them in a black bean soup or stew, no rinsing is required.
Store black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They also freeze well.
14 Vegan Black Bean Recipes
At my house, we eat beans every single day, and black beans are some of our favorites. These are some of our favorite black bean recipes.
This vegan black bean burger is packed with protein and fiber and is terrific partnered with my low-fat Chipotle Ranch Sauce (included in this recipe)!
This black bean and corn salad is a recipe from Ann Esselstyn's in Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn's book Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease. It's one of my favorites when I need to prepare something quickly to take to a function. No cooking required! The fresh cilantro and fire roasted tomatoes are what make this dish. Delish!
No meat? No problem! This vegan black bean chili recipe has all the taste of a hearty chili and can be ready to eat in 15-minutes or less. The convenience of a three-ingredient dish without any greasy pans to clean.
Easy Black Bean Soup created by the one-and-only Chef AJ comes together quickly because it's made with convenient canned black beans and loaded with wholesome ingredients like sweet potatoes and onions and perfectly seasoned with warm spices. Everyone is going to love this vegan, oil-free, gluten-free, and vegetarian soup.
These vegan black bean brownies are so good because they are incredibly fudgy and rich, with the added bonus of being packed with protein and fiber from the black beans. They can be ready in only about 30 minutes!
Sometime back, I experimented with a new recipe for vegetarian chili in my crockpot. Turned out amazing! A follower even won a cookoff with this delicious 3 bean vegan chili!
This Mexican Tortilla Soup is bursting with flavor and also happens to be completely vegan and oil-free.
This easy Black Bean and Corn Salsa is a colorful delight and perfect for serving as an appetizer, side dish, or a snack on game day!
Combining beans, spices, and bulgur grain, this vegan taco meat forms a remarkably chewy and delicious plant-based filling, serving as an excellent substitute for traditional meat in tacos.
There is nothing better to warm you up on a cold day than a big bowl of hearty chili, and it’s even better when it can be ready and on the table in minutes without any fuss in the kitchen. This Instant Pot Vegan Chili is easy to make and full of healthy wholesome ingredients.
Lasagna is such a hearty and filling meal, and it feeds a pretty big crowd! It takes a little bit of work but is so worth the effort. I remember when I used to do in-home cooking lessons, this vegan lasagna is one recipe that always received the best reviews.
Are you craving nachos but don't want all the artery clogging fat and cholesterol? Well, it's healthy fiesta time! This protein and fiber-packed nacho option is veggie-loaded and smothered with a creamy vegan cheese sauce that's outta this world! ! Your arteries and taste buds will be screaming, "YES!"
This Mexican kale salad is so good because it’s packed with bold, zesty flavors from fresh ingredients like salsa, lemon, and cilantro, making it a delicious and nutritious twist on a classic salad. With hearty kale as the base, it’s both satisfying and full of vibrant textures.
Indulge in the wholesome goodness of this healthy and delicious Vegan Black Bean Dip! Bursting with flavor and packed with nutrients, this dip is a fantastic option for snacking or entertaining. Pair it with oil-free homemade tortilla chips, crunchy veggies, or whole grain crackers for a satisfying and nutritious treat.
I hope you enjoyed exploring this collection of black bean recipes and found some inspiration to get creative in the kitchen! Whether you’re whipping up a hearty soup, a zesty salad, or a savory burger, this versatile bean is perfect for adding flavor, nutrition, and a touch of fun to your meals.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I am the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I am passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to empower others to get healthy. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
This is a great tip! I am writing 31 days of creative homemaking and I have a slow cooker tips post coming up! Will definitely link over to this post! Gotta love that slow cooker…such a miracle worker!
it’s such a complete “brain save” for me. I literally do nothing.The texture ends up being a tad different, but not enough that my family has ever noticed. 🙂 The kids love having it cooked in baggies too because I will keep some in the fridge and it makes them much more apt to cook up something on their own. 🙂
CrazyAsk
These meatballs are so good. My family loves them…kids included. They’ve become my “go to” turkey meatball recipe. I’ve made them quite a few times and finally decided I should say thank you for a good recipe. Thank you .
Joseph Donahue
Hi Joseph- How terrific to hear that even you kids love the meatballs! That really means a lot to me. Thanks so much for letting me know! 🙂
Really gorgeous and delicious sounding bread, Val. I love caramelized onions in anything. Of course, I love bread with anything, too. 🙂