These 24 black bean recipes are perfect for lunch or dinner, and are easy to meal prep! Prep a big batch of black beans from scratch and use them up in one of these delicious vegetarian recipes.
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When it comes to budget-friendly meal prep ideas, nothing beats cooking up a big pot of beans. Not only are they super cheap, but they keep really well (and are even freezer-friendly!), and they taste so much better than canned beans.
I love cooking up a big batch of black beans (my favorite way is in the Instant Pot!), and then using them in multiple black bean recipes through the week.
Whether you cook up a healthy vegetarian dinner or lunch, there is a healthy black bean recipe here for everyone...soups, salads, meal prep lunches and even desserts!
Tips for using & storing black beans
- cooked black beans are safe to store in the fridge for 3-5 days, meaning if you open a can of black beans, you should eat it within that time frame (1)
- if cooking black beans from scratch, make sure they are refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking (1)
- black beans may be frozen- find tips for freezing black beans here.
- if you notice an unpleasant odor, it's time to toss your beans
How to Cook Black Beans
This basic, fool-proof recipe shows you how to cook black beans from scratch and freeze them! Not only do they taste way better than canned, but they are more affordable, too.
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Perfect Instant Pot Black Beans (no soaking required!)
This simple method to cook Instant Pot black beans gives you perfect black beans each and every time! No soaking, the perfect texture, and so much more flavor than canned beans.
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Snacks
Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
These black bean brownies are fudgy, rich, and so satisfying! The perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping things lighter: no refined sugar, grain-free, and 125 calories per brownie!
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5 Minute Black Bean Hummus
5 minute black bean hummus is a fun spin on the classic! Black beans are blended with lime juice, tahini, garlic and some spices for a deliciously creamy dip.
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Lunches
Vegan Portobello Fajita Meal Prep Bowls
Portobello fajita vegan meal prep with delicious roasted portobellos, bell peppers and onions, black beans, and seasoned quinoa!
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Refreshing Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Refreshing quinoa black bean salad is a big batch salad you can prep ahead. Perfect for a picnic, pot luck, or meal prep lunch! Gluten-free, vegetarian (vegan-friendly!), and clean eating.
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Taco Salad Bento Lunch Box
This no cook taco salad bento box recipe is ready for your lunch in under 20 minutes! A great meal prep lunch option when you're too busy to prep.
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Mix & Match Meal Prep Burrito Bowls
These mix & match meal prep burrito bowls will help you make four delicious lunches using what you have on hand in your pantry and fridge.
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Grilled Veggie & Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls
Make these Grilled Veggie & Black Bean Meal Prep Bowls on the weekend and you will have four work lunches waiting for you. A great vegetarian meal prep option that will keep your oven off this summer.
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Instant Pot Fiesta Rice Bowls
These instant Pot fiesta rice bowls are a vegetarian, gluten-free recipe that works great for meal prep! Just dump it all in the Instant Pot, press the button, and you're done!
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Chipotle Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas
These sweet potato black bean quesadillas are the best of both worlds: creamy on the inside and crispy on the outside. With a hint of spice and smokiness from chipotle peppers, sweetness from the sweet potatoes, and (of course) gooey cheese, these quesadillas are a dinner that is loved by all.
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Black Bean Baked Taquitos
These simple black bean baked taquitos have a creamy sweet potato and black bean filling and are baked to crispy perfection. Vegetarian, and works great for meal prep!
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Dinners
Sweet Potato Noodles with Black Beans and Creamy Avocado Sauce
These easy vegan sweet potato noodles are tossed in a creamy garlic avocado sauce with linguine, corn and black beans. Ready for your table in 30 minutes!
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One Pot Black Bean Fajita Pasta
One pot black bean fajita pasta is creamy and delicious vegetarian pasta recipe. With bell peppers, onions, black beans and fajita seasonings, it's perfect for weeknight dinners or for meal prep.
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Black Bean and Corn Salad
Black bean and corn salad with a tangy chili lime vinaigrette is the perfect summery salad. Loaded with fresh corn, black beans, avocados, and veggies it's perfect for your next BBQ or picnic lunch!
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Freezer Cauliflower Rice Black Bean Burritos
These freezer cauliflower rice black bean burritos are lighter but just as tasty as the original! Loaded with veggies, salsa, black beans and cheese, and so convenient to have stocked in your freezer.
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Garden Vegetable Black Bean Tortilla Stack
This garden vegetable black bean tortilla stack is an easy vegetarian weeknight dinner! Mexican-seasoned garden vegetables and black beans are baked between layers of tortillas and cheese.
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Vegan Crockpot Black Bean Chili
This vegan crockpot black bean chili is loaded with healthy ingredients. No sauteeing means you can get it on quickly to cook! Find 36 more vegan crockpot recipes.
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Quinoa Stew
Hearty, healthy, and filled with delicious southwestern flavor, this slow cooker black bean, quinoa and sweet potato stew is so easy to prep! Works great as a weeknight dinner, and can be meal prepped in multiple ways.
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Butternut Squash Enchilada Casserole (Prep Ahead)
This butternut squash enchilada casserole bakes up with the bold spices of enchilada sauce, cheese, black beans, butternut squash and tortillas. Simple to assemble, and can be frozen for later!
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Mexican Spaghetti Squash Casserole
Mexican spaghetti squash casserole with ground turkey, black beans, corn and cheese. Simple to prepare, lower in carbs, and leftovers keep amazingly well!
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Loaded Mexican Kale Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
Loaded Mexican kale salad with avocado, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers, tossed in a delicious honey lime dressing! Vegan-friendly with plant-based protein, it's great for meal prep and ready in 20 minutes.
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Spiralized Sweet Potato Enchilada Skillet
This enchilada sweet potato noodles skillet is a delicious vegetarian recipe that gets dinner on the table quickly and makes clean up a breeze.
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Enchilada-Stuffed Grilled Portobello Mushrooms
These enchilada stuffed grilled portobello mushrooms are an easy vegetarian dinner recipe that is ready in under 25 minutes, and won't leave you feeling hungry.
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Lynn says
These recipes are all awesome! We are adding more vegetarian meals into rotation, so these are really helpful. Thank you!
Denise says
So happy these recipes are helpful, Lynn!
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
I love eating beans/legumes for lunches, and this round-up ensures I'd never get bored of doing so!!