20 Recipes Using Black Beans That You Have To Try

Black beans transform ordinary meals into nutrient-packed powerhouses with their incredible versatility and rich, earthy flavor! These recipes using black beans showcase how this humble legume can star in everything from decadent desserts to hearty mains. Whether you’re plant-based or just looking to eat healthier, these creative dishes will make black beans your new kitchen staple.

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Quinoa and Black Bean Burgers

A vegan burger with a whole wheat bun, lettuce, tomato slices, a plant-based patty, and creamy sauce, served on a white plate alongside a portion of seasoned French fries. The background is a dark textured surface. — Quinoa and Black Bean Burgers. Photo credit: A Plantiful Path.

Protein-packed quinoa joins forces with black beans in these superfood veggie burgers that crisp up beautifully in the skillet, their nutty flavor and satisfying chew making them freezer-friendly staples for quick weeknight dinners when you need plant-based meals in minutes.
Get the Recipe: Quinoa and Black Bean Burgers

Tostaguac (guacamole tostada)

A colorful plate holds a crispy tostada topped with layers of guacamole, black beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, onions, fresh cilantro, and dollops of sour cream. The vibrant ingredients create a visually appealing and appetizing dish. — Tostaguac. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Golden corn tostadas piled high with creamy avocado and seasoned black beans create the ultimate textural contrast in this Mexican street food classic that’s equally satisfying as a light lunch or party appetizer when you want fresh, vibrant flavors with plant-based protein staying power.

Get Recipe: Tostaguac

Black Bean Chile Rellenos

A black bean chile relleno drizzled with crema mexicana served on a white plate. — Black Bean Chile Rellenos. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Roasted poblano peppers stuffed with seasoned black beans and melted cheese bake up golden in this meatless Mexican classic that delivers restaurant-quality flavors at home, perfect for Meatless Mondays when you want something hearty enough to satisfy even devoted carnivores at your dinner table.

Get Recipe: Black Bean Chile Rellenos

Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)

A bowl of black beans served over white rice, garnished with fresh cilantro. Sliced avocado and lime wedges are placed on one side of the bowl. The colors are vibrant, featuring dark beans, white rice, bright green avocado, and lime. — Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros). Photo credit: Gypsy Plate.

Slow-simmered with sofrito, bay leaves and a splash of vinegar, these traditional Cuban black beans develop deep umami flavors that work equally well as a side dish or vegetarian main when served over rice, offering authentic Latin American comfort food that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas as it cooks low and slow.
Get the Recipe: Cuban Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)

Crema de Frijol Negro (Black Bean Cream Soup)

Crema de Frjiol Negro served in a blue bowl and topped with queso fresco and bacon crumbles. — Crema de Frijol Negro. Photo by Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Puréed black beans simmer with roasted garlic and epazote in this velvety Mexican soup that’s equally comforting served hot or chilled, its luxurious texture and complex flavors belying the simple ingredients list that comes together in under 30 minutes for easy weeknight meals.

Get Recipe: Crema de Frijol Negro

How to Cook Canned Black Beans

A white bowl with black beans and a spoon surrounded by sliced jalapenos. — How To Cook Canned Black Beans. Photo By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

Transform ordinary canned black beans into something extraordinary with garlic, cumin and lime juice, creating a versatile base ready in minutes for tacos, grain bowls or standalone sides when you need quick nutrition without sacrificing flavor, proving convenience foods can become gourmet with just a few smart seasoning additions.

Get Recipe: How to Cook Canned Black Beans

Copycat Chili’s Black Bean Burger

A close-up of two gourmet veggie burgers with sesame seed buns on a newspaper-style wrapper. Each burger is stacked with lettuce, a veggie patty, slices of tomato, and red onion, and topped with a dollop of creamy sauce. A jar of pickles is in the background. — Copycat Chili’s Black Bean Burger. Photo credit: Watch Learn Eat.

Mashed black beans bind with breadcrumbs and spices to form hearty veggie patties that grill up beautifully, their smoky Southwestern flavors and satisfying texture making them a crowd-pleasing alternative to beef burgers at summer cookouts when you want to offer recipes using black beans.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Chili’s Black Bean Burger

Halloween Taco Dip

Black beans layer with zesty refried beans and salsa in this festive Halloween appetizer shaped like a graveyard, where tortilla chip tombstones and green onion grass make it the perfect centerpiece for October parties when you want a protein-packed snack that’s as fun to look at as it is delicious to scoop up with crunchy veggies or chips.

Get Recipe: Halloween Taco Dip

Peanut Butter Swirl Black Bean Brownies

A close-up view of sliced brownies with a swirled pattern on top. One brownie is lifted out, revealing a rich, dense, and fudgy interior. The surface texture shows a mix of dark chocolate and a lighter, possibly peanut butter or caramel, swirled through. — Peanut Butter Swirl Black Bean Brownies. Photo credit: Life Around The Table.

Rich chocolate black bean batter ribbons with peanut butter in these fudgy squares that pack 8g of protein per serving, their irresistible sweet-salty combination proving healthy desserts can be indulgent when clever ingredient swaps like black beans add nutrition without sacrificing taste.
Get the Recipe: Peanut Butter Swirl Black Bean Brownies

Flourless Black Bean Chocolate Cake

A rich chocolate tart is garnished with a fresh strawberry at the center. Two slices have been partially cut, with one slightly lifted with a cake server. The tart is placed on a white plate on a wooden table, and a few strawberries are scattered around. — Flourless Black Bean Chocolate Cake. Photo credit: The Peasant’s Daughter.

This decadent Flourless Black Bean Chocolate Cake achieves an incredibly rich, fudgy texture by blending black beans into the batter, creating a naturally gluten-free dessert that’s surprisingly moist and packed with deep chocolate flavor, proving healthy ingredients can transform into indulgent treats when you want to satisfy chocolate cravings without refined flour or excessive sugar while still enjoying every luxurious bite.
Get the Recipe: Flourless Black Bean Chocolate Cake

Black Bean Mango Salad

A vibrant, colorful bowl of freshly chopped ingredients for a salad, including red bell peppers, yellow corn, black beans, cilantro, onions, mango, and avocado. A dressing is being poured over the mix, enhancing the fresh and appetizing appearance. — Black Bean Mango Salad. Photo credit: Sunglow Kitchen.

Juicy mango, crisp bell peppers and black beans toss in a lime-cilantro vinaigrette in this vibrant salad that’s equally at home at picnics or as a taco topping, its bright colors and refreshing flavors making it a potluck favorite during summer months when you want something light yet satisfying.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Mango Salad

Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Creme

A baked sweet potato filled with black beans, chopped green onions, cilantro, and a creamy dressing, garnished with a lime half on the side. The dish is displayed in a white container. — Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Creme. Photo credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

Roasted sweet potatoes become edible bowls for spiced black beans topped with creamy avocado sauce in this nutrient-dense meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, offering balanced plant-based nutrition perfect for weeknight dinners when you need something wholesome yet effortless.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Avocado Creme

Edible Brownie Batter

A close-up of a chocolate dessert garnished with a sliced strawberry and a few chocolate chips. The rich, dark chocolate looks creamy and smooth, contrasting with the fresh red and white of the strawberry slices. The background is subtly out of focus. — Edible Brownie Batter. Photo credit: A Grateful Meal.

This safe-to-eat chocolate batter blends black beans into a silky, protein-rich dip for fruit or pretzels, satisfying cookie dough cravings without raw flour or eggs when you need a quick snack that feels indulgent but fuels your body with fiber and antioxidants.
Get the Recipe: Edible Brownie Batter

Southwestern Black Bean Burgers

A plate with an open veggie burger topped with corn, bell pepper slices, sautéed onions, and cilantro, accompanied by a side of corn and fresh spinach. Surrounding the plate are ingredients including red bell pepper, cilantro, and a bowl of guacamole. — Southwestern Black Bean Burgers. Photo credit: Serene Trail.

Smoky chipotle and roasted corn elevate these sturdy black bean patties that hold together perfectly on the grill, their bold Tex-Mex flavors shining through whether served on buns or crumbled over salads for versatile recipes using black beans that never taste boring or bland.
Get the Recipe: Southwestern Black Bean Burgers

Lentil Chili With Black Beans

Two bowls of hearty chili are topped with shredded cheese and fresh herbs. The chili includes ingredients like beans, corn, and tomatoes. Spoons are placed in each bowl, and tortilla chips are scattered around the bowls on a dark surface. — Lentil Chili With Black Beans. Photo credit: Chew Out Loud.

Black beans and lentils create a thick, protein-rich chili base that simmers with fire-roasted tomatoes and warming spices, offering comforting meatless meals perfect for meal prep when you want hearty lunches ready to reheat all week long during colder months.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Chili With Black Beans

Chocolate Black Bean Cake

A close-up of a slice of rich, moist chocolate cake on a white plate. The cake is topped with a smooth, glossy layer of chocolate frosting, highlighting its decadent texture. The dessert looks appetizing and indulgent. — Chocolate Black Bean Cake. Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

Black beans replace flour entirely in this surprisingly light yet intensely chocolatey cake that stays moist for days, offering gluten-free dessert lovers a decadent option that doesn’t taste “healthy” but delivers extra fiber and protein with every rich slice perfect for birthdays or special occasions.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Black Bean Cake

Homemade Vegan Black Bean Dip

A glass bowl filled with black bean dip, garnished with sliced green jalapeños and a small flower. The bowl is placed on a white plate alongside triangular pieces of pita bread. — Homemade Vegan Black Bean Dip. Photo credit: A Sweet Alternative.

Blended black beans with lime, cumin and smoked paprika create a protein-packed party dip that outperforms store-bought versions in both flavor and nutrition, staying creamy for days in the fridge when you need a last-minute appetizer to serve with veggie sticks or chips for unexpected guests.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Vegan Black Bean Dip

Pumpkin Turkey Chili

A vibrant bowl of taco soup is filled with ground meat, black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. The soup is paired with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, and a halved avocado. A blue and white patterned cloth napkin is placed beside the bowl. — Pumpkin Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Busy Family Recipes.

Black beans add texture to this autumn-inspired chili where pumpkin purée creates velvety richness balanced by lean ground turkey, making it the ultimate healthy comfort food for football Sundays or Halloween parties when you want something warming yet nutritious.
Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup

A close-up of a colorful soup featuring chunks of butternut squash, corn kernels, red kidney beans, and onions, garnished with fresh cilantro, served in a decorative bowl. A spoon is placed in the soup, capturing a blend of the ingredients. — Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup. Photo credit: The Food Blog.

Roasted sweet potatoes blend with black beans into a velvety bisque that’s naturally sweet with a spicy kick, its vibrant orange color and creamy texture making it an elegant starter for dinner parties or a satisfying standalone meal with crusty bread for chilly evenings.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Potato Black Bean Soup

Fudgy Vegan Black Bean Brownies With Mint

Three pieces of rich, gooey chocolate brownies with chocolate chips are stacked on a white plate. The brownies have a dense and fudgy texture, and the chocolate chips are visible throughout, adding to their decadence. — Fudgy Vegan Black Bean Brownies With Mint. Photo credit: Hassle Free Vegan.

These surprisingly rich brownies blend black beans into a fudgy chocolate base with refreshing mint swirls, creating a gluten-free dessert packed with protein that satisfies sweet cravings while keeping ingredients wholesome, perfect for health-conscious bakers who don’t want to compromise on indulgence when serving treats to guests with dietary restrictions.
Get the Recipe: Fudgy Vegan Black Bean Brownies With Mint