Beans are a humble food, but they are some of the most amazing foods we can eat. Beans are economical and a great value, especially if you buy dried beans. If you’re on a budget, beans are some of the most filling foods you can get for your money.
They are also convenient, easy to store and easy to cook. See The Ultimate Guide for Cooking Perfect Beans. While canned beans are the most convenient, they may contain ingredients we don’t want. If you buy canned beans free of those ingredients, it’s a fast and easy route to delicious recipes. See How to Doctor Up a Can of Beans to Make Them Tastier.
There’s no doubt that beans are healthy. Check out our Ultimate Guide on The Health Benefits of Beans and Which Bean is Best for Your Recipe to learn more than just how beans are packed with protein and why they are essential to a meat-free diet.
Talk about variety – there are many types of beans, each with its own taste and texture – adzuki, black, black-eyed peas, cannellini, fava, garbanzo, kidney, navy, pinto, and soy to name just a few. Beans are highly versatile and can be used for spreads, stews, soups, entrees, sides and desserts. They can be transformed into burgers and sausages or tossed into salads. See 7 Ways to Cook Beans to Make Them More Exciting and 10 Ways to Cook Beans with Global Flavor. If you think you’re not a fan of beans, these 25 delicious vegan recipes from our Food Monster App may very well change your mind.
1. Smoky Socca Tacos With Peach Salsa
Source: Smoky Socca Tacos With Peach Salsa
Laura Hemmington‘s Smoky Socca Tacos With Peach Salsa combine fresh, spicy flavors with the lightness of a chickpea flour tortilla. The smoky hot filling has pinto beans that are perfect for letting the flavors shine. These tacos are simple to make, delicious and wholesome. Just perfect!
2. Edamame Wasabi Bean Dip
Source: Edamame Wasabi Bean Dip
Jennifer Harmon‘s yummy Edamame Wasabi Bean Dip is Asian-inspired and packed with protein. It has a little heat due to the wasabi powder but freshens up thanks to a little ginger. The white beans keep the dip nice and creamy while giving it a comfort food feel.
3. Zoodles with Avocado, Peaches and White Beans
Source: Zoodles with Avocado, Peaches and White Beans
Jen Elliot‘s unique pasta dish of Zoodles with Avocado, Peaches and White Beans is probably not something you’ve had before. It consists of a few simple ingredients that are bursting with flavor: “zoodles” (spiralized zucchini “noodles”) with avocado, white beans and peaches for just the right amount of sweetness.
4. Egg-Free Cookie Dough (It’s Okay to Lick the Bowl!)
Source: Egg-Free Cookie Dough
We all know that cookies are delicious, but sometimes the best part of baking cookies is eating the cookie dough itself. Now you can satisfy your sweet tooth with Stacey Horler‘s guilt-free Egg-Free Cookie Dough – it’s sweet, creamy and quite a treat. Not to mention being completely healthy because the main ingredient is chickpeas. So go ahead and lick the bowl.
5. Buffalo Chickpea Caesar Salad
Source: Buffalo Chickpea Caesar Salad
Sunflower seeds, when soaked and blended, are wonderfully creamy, light, and delicious. They make a perfect dressing for Jessica DeMara‘s Buffalo Chickpea Caesar Salad. The chickpeas are crisp and spicy. This recipe is vegan, gluten free, nut free, and serves two generous salads or four light sides.
6. Chili Sin Carne Cornbread Pie
Source: Chili sin Carne
Chili is a perfect “clean out your pantry” dish, but Emma D’Alessandro‘s Chili sin Carne has a little something extra. Not only is it vegan but it’s topped with a warm cornbread, which can be made gluten-free if needed. You can skip the dippin’ because it’s already there for you.
7. Gluten-Free Veggie Roast
Source: Gluten-Free Veggie Roast
This Gluten-Free Veggie Roast by Anja Cass is a great vegan meat substitute for anyone transitioning to a plant based or vegan, gluten-free diet. It is made with gluten-free flours and beans to create a dish with a meaty feel and taste.
8. Classic Breakfast Links
Source: Classic Breakfast Links
Chrysta Hiser‘s Classic Breakfast Links have a firm texture, are crispy outside and chewy inside, just the way a good sausage should be. Enjoy these little links with pretty much anything. They have a light beany flavor and pair well with a tofu scramble and some fresh fruit.
9. Chocolate Covered Black Bean Brownie Pops
Source: Chocolate Covered Brownie Pops
Here’s what you need to know about Shannon Leparski‘s lip-smackin’ Chocolate Covered Brownie Pops: they’re secretly healthy, no-bake, seriously fudgy and drenched in creamy melted chocolate. They’re vegan, nut-free and oil-free. How are these little bites of heaven secretly healthy? From black beans – the magical ingredient – but your taste buds won’t know that.
10. Hoppin’ John Sliders with Lemon Aioli Sauce and Sauteed Greens
Source: Hoppin’ John Sliders with Sauteed Greens
Black-eyed peas are used in Hoppin’ John to bring good luck on New Year’s Day. But you don’t have to wait until January to enjoy Annie Oliverio‘s Hoppin’ John Sliders with Sauteed Greens. Serve them oven-baked fries that you can dip in the smoky lemon aioli sauce!
11. Baked Sweet Potato and Mung Bean Croquettes With Peanutty Coconut Sauce
Source: Baked Croquettes
These Baked Croquettes by Kelly Williams not only taste amazing, but they also feature two nutritional superstars: sweet potatoes and mung beans. The combination offers a one-two punch of protein and iron, as well as a ton of bold flavor. The dish is completed with a drizzle of coconut-peanut sauce, a creamy topping that’s a breeze to prepare!
12. Fava Bean Quinoa Salad
Source: Fava Bean Quinoa Salad
Fava beans are like little green goddesses of goodness. They may be most well-known for their mention in the movies, but you should really give them a try. Kimmy Murphy‘s Fava Bean Quinoa Salad is beautiful and so satisfying. You could even have it with a glass of chianti.
13. Cheezy BeanBalls
Source: Cheezy BeanBalls
Nothing gets the family running to the table quite like a big plate of beanballs. Chrysta Hiser‘s Cheezy BeanBalls are made with chickpeas, flavorful spices and some nutritional yeast for the cheesy taste. Make a lot because no one will be able to stop popping them into their mouths.
14. Italian Veggie Burgers
Source: Italian Veggie Burgers
Pinto beans are the star ingredient of Lucie Javorska‘s Italian Veggie Burgers. They have just the right chewy texture with crispy edges. Top them with tomato sauce, pesto and fresh basil for the full Italian experience.
15. Calcium-Packed Navy Bean Biscuits and Roasted Garlic Gravy
Source: Navy Bean Biscuits and Roasted Garlic Gravy
Biscuits and gravy is such a comforting and indulgent dish. These Navy Bean Biscuits and Roasted Garlic Gravy by Kelly Williams are indeed comforting but the indulgence is all for your taste buds. These are healthy with navy beans making their way into the two main components of this savory plate of biscuits and gravy,
16. Kidney Bean and BBQ Kale Burger
Source: Kidney Bean and BBQ Kale Burgers
Super easy to make and baked instead of fried, Jenn Sebestyen‘s mouthwatering Kidney Bean and BBQ Kale Burgers are a healthy meal you can enjoy any time of year! The burger holds together perfectly, plus baking it keeps the outside, nice and crispy, and helps the inside stay moist and flavorful.
17. Chickpea Spinach Stew with Lentils and Quinoa
Source: Chickpea Spinach Stew with Lentils and Quinoa
Richa Hingle‘s Chickpea Spinach Stew with Lentils and Quinoa will give you all the protein you need for the day in a one-pot dish that’s easy to make. Serve with flatbread or crackers for scooping so you don’t miss one bit.
18. Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers
Source: Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers
These Double Black Bean Tofu Cheeseburgers by Rhea Parsons are so good. They taste more like beefy burgers than bean burgers. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender inside and just so delicious. You want them double-stacked, so you get twice as much yumminess.
19. Choco Black Eyed Bean Bites
Source: Choco Black Eyed Bean Bites
If just the thought of chocolate starts you drooling, but you’re trying to be healthy, drool away! Gunjan Dudani‘s Choco Black Eyed Bean Bites are nutritious and delicious since they are made with beans. They’re also no-bake so you can be drooling over them in no time.
20. Black Bean Loaf
Source: Black Bean Loaf
Natasha Condie‘s Black Bean Loaf has a nice crust and soft interior that just melts in your mouth. Of course, every meatloaf needs a little coating of ketchup or tomato sauce baked into the top. This loaf has both so it’s twice as delicious.
21. Mozzarella Stuffed Cannellini Burgers with Spinach Pesto
Source: Cannellini Burgers
These Italian-style Cannellini Burgers by Rhea Parsons have lots of garlic, oregano, and fresh parsley. They are stuffed full of vegan mozzarella so you’d get a gooey, cheesy surprise with every bite. The spinach pesto on top is the perfect condiment.
22. Black Bean Burgers with Cilantro Lime Sauce
Source: Black Bean Burgers
A good veggie burger is only as good as its ingredients. Black bean burgers would be terribly bland if you just smashed up some beans and made it into a patty. That’s not an issue with Dora Dailey‘s Black Bean Burgers. These have lots of onion, bell pepper, and a good amount of seasoning while the super simple, cool and tangy cilantro lime sauce is a great topper for a spicy burger.
23. Smoky Black Bean Patties with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Source: Smoky Black Bean Patties with Pineapple Avocado Salsa
Whether you put them on a bun, wrap them in some lettuce or serve them over a bed of greens, Jenn Sebestyen‘s Smoky Black Bean Patties with Pineapple Avocado Salsa make a seriously hearty and wonderful dish. Crispy on the outside while being moist and comforting inside, these are an entree the whole family can agree on.
24. Great Northern Bean Dip
Source: Great Northern Bean Dip
Wendy Irene‘s Great Northern Bean Dip has a wonderful garlic-lemon flavor, and an ever so subtle kick from the chipotle- nothing too spicy, just great flavor. The little bit of olive oil makes the dip rich, creamy and delicious, while the turmeric adds color and more great health benefits.
25. Black Bean, Corn, and Red Rice Enchiladas
Source: Black Bean, Corn, and Red Rice Enchiladas
Kathleen Henry‘s Black Bean, Corn, and Red Rice Enchiladas are vegan, cheesy and delicious. The homemade enchilada sauce is easy, full of good for you vegetables and better than anything you could ever buy in a jar.
These are just a few examples of all the recipes you can make with beans. If you think you don’t like beans, any of these recipes will change your mind. We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for both Android and iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!
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