10+ Black Bean Recipes You’ll Love for Quick and Delicious Meals

Black beans are such a simple, healthy ingredient you can toss into all kinds of meals. They’re affordable, packed with protein, and honestly, they just taste good.

You don’t need to be a kitchen pro to whip up something delicious with black beans. They add a hearty texture and a nice, earthy flavor to whatever you’re making.

You can throw black beans into soups, salads, mains, or sides—whatever you’re in the mood for. Use them fresh, or just crack open a can for a quick fix.

Trying out new black bean recipes is an easy way to sneak more nutrition and flavor into your meals.

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Ingredients

• Black beans (canned or dried)
• Water (if using dried beans)

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse dried black beans well if you’re using them.
2. Soak the beans overnight or at least 6 hours.
3. Drain and rinse the soaked beans.
4. Put beans in a pot, cover with fresh water (about 3 cups water per 1 cup beans).
5. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let them simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours until tender.
6. For canned beans, just rinse and drain before using.

1) Mexican Black Beans with Cilantro and Cumin

Make your black beans pop by cooking them with fresh cilantro and cumin. Sauté some onions and garlic first for a rich, aromatic base.

Toss in the black beans, cilantro, and cumin. Let everything simmer on low for about 15–20 minutes.

Give it a stir now and then so the flavors mix together. This recipe is perfect for rice bowls, tacos, or just as a solid side.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked black beans (canned works fine, undrained)
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium.
2. Sauté onions and garlic until soft.
3. Add black beans, cilantro, cumin, and salt. Stir it up.
4. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring now and then.
5. Serve warm.

For more details, see Mexican Black Beans Recipe.

2) Cuban-Style Black Beans with Bay Leaf and Green Pepper

Cuban-style black beans are surprisingly easy. The secret? Bay leaves and green bell pepper—they give the beans a gentle, savory aroma.

Rinse and soak dried black beans if you’ve got the time. It helps them cook faster.

Cook the beans slowly with onions, bell pepper, and bay leaves. The result is a rich, comforting dish.

Serve these beans over rice or with your favorite protein. If you want a little more oomph, add garlic or cumin.

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black beans, rinsed
• 2 medium white onions, halved
• 2 medium green bell peppers, halved
• 4 bay leaves
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak beans for 4–6 hours or overnight.
2. Put beans in a big pot with onions, bell peppers, and bay leaves.
3. Add enough water to cover beans by 2 inches.
4. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer.
5. Cover and cook for 1.5–2 hours until beans are tender.
6. Take out bay leaves and veggies before serving.
7. Add salt to taste.

For a detailed recipe, visit Cuban-style black beans with bay leaf and green pepper.

3) 10-Minute Spiced Black Beans Using Canned Beans

Need something quick? Spiced black beans from a can are a lifesaver. They’re fast, healthy, and add a punch of flavor.

Sauté onions, garlic, and jalapeño in olive oil. Add the black beans and your spices—cumin, chili powder, and salt.

Let it all simmer for around 10 minutes. The beans soak up the flavor and are ready to go.

Serve them with rice, tuck them into tacos, or spoon over a salad bowl.

Ingredients

• 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño, chopped (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add onion, garlic, and jalapeño; cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
3. Stir in black beans, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
4. Cook and stir for 7 more minutes.
5. Remove from heat and serve.

4) Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas

Black bean and corn quesadillas are a go-to for a quick, filling meal. Creamy beans, sweet corn, cheese, and a hint of spice—what’s not to like?

Use flour tortillas for the best combo of soft and crispy. Warm them in a skillet until the cheese melts and the outside gets golden.

Toss in extras like onion, bell pepper, or salsa if you feel like mixing it up. These quesadillas come together fast and are perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen or fresh corn
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
• 4 flour tortillas
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium.
2. Mix black beans, corn, onion, garlic, cilantro, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Put one tortilla on the skillet, sprinkle half the cheese, then the bean mixture.
4. Add the rest of the cheese and top with a second tortilla.
5. Cook 3–4 minutes until golden underneath.
6. Flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden.
7. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

Try this easy recipe for a filling meal made in just minutes. Get more tips at Allrecipes Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas.

5) Black Bean Salad with Corn, Avocado, and Lime

This black bean salad is light and super fresh. Black beans, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice—it’s a combo that just works.

Throw in bell peppers, tomatoes, or cilantro for extra color. It’s a solid side or a light meal, and it keeps well in the fridge.

If you want some kick, add jalapeño. Olive oil and a pinch of salt tie everything together.

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
• 1 ripe avocado, diced
• Juice of 1 lime
• ½ cup diced red bell pepper
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt to taste
• Optional: 1 small jalapeño, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine black beans, corn, avocado, bell pepper, tomatoes, and cilantro in a big bowl.
2. Squeeze the lime juice over everything.
3. Add olive oil and salt, then stir gently to mix.
4. For heat, toss in the jalapeño.
5. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

For more details, check this black bean and corn salad recipe with lime and garlic dressing.

6) Baked Sweet Potato Topped with Chipotle-Tomato Black Beans

Baked sweet potatoes with chipotle-tomato black beans are hearty and a little bit smoky. Chipotle in adobo brings just enough heat without going overboard.

Roast your sweet potatoes until they’re soft. While those bake, cook black beans with diced tomatoes and a bit of chipotle adobo sauce.

The sauce gives the beans a tangy, smoky flavor that really stands out against the sweetness of the potato. Split the potatoes open and pile the beans on top.

Add cilantro or avocado if you want to dress it up.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1-2 tbsp chipotle adobo sauce
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: cilantro, avocado

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Wash sweet potatoes and poke holes in them with a fork.
3. Bake for 45–50 minutes until soft.
4. Sauté garlic in a pan for a minute.
5. Add black beans, diced tomatoes, and chipotle adobo sauce.
6. Cook on low for 10 minutes, stirring now and then.
7. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Split sweet potatoes and top with the bean mixture.
9. Toss on any toppings you like.

7) Black Bean and Salsa Soup

This soup’s a real time-saver when you’re short on energy. Black beans, salsa, and veggie broth come together for a spicy, comforting bowl.

It’s easy to make it vegan—just skip the sour cream or use a plant-based one. Serve with tortilla chips or a crisp salad if you want.

Try topping it with fresh cilantro or avocado for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 tablespoons sour cream (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add black beans, broth, salsa, and cumin to a pot.
2. Heat on medium until it’s simmering, about 10 minutes.
3. Blend some of the soup for a thicker texture—use a blender or immersion blender.
4. Serve hot, with a dollop of sour cream if you like.

8) Easy Black Beans with Garlic and Onion

This recipe’s honestly about as simple as it gets, but it packs a lot of flavor. Start by tossing chopped onions into a bit of olive oil.

Let the onions cook just until they’re soft but still have some bite. Next, throw in the minced garlic.

Let the garlic sizzle for a minute—just until it gets fragrant. Don’t let it burn, or you’ll lose that mellow garlicky goodness.

Pour in the canned black beans, liquid and all. Gently stir everything together and heat for a few minutes.

Try not to break up the beans too much as you mix. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Eat these beans on their own, or pile them alongside whatever you’re having for dinner. I mean, they’re good with almost anything.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (16 oz) can black beans, do not drain
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F / 175°C).
2. Add chopped onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft but not brown.
3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add canned black beans with liquid.
5. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

If you want to try another version, check out this simple black beans and onions recipe.

9) Quick Cuban Style Black Beans with Rice and Steak

If you’re craving Cuban flavors but don’t have all day, this dish really hits the spot. Use canned beans to keep things fast.

Sauté garlic in olive oil until it smells amazing—just a minute or so. Toss in cumin and oregano for that classic Cuban aroma.

Add the black beans and let them warm up, soaking in the spices as they go. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve the beans over hot rice, and add your favorite steak on the side. I like to finish with a squeeze of lime or a sprinkle of cilantro.

It’s simple, but honestly, it tastes like you put in way more effort.

Ingredients

• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 2 steaks of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3. Stir in cumin and oregano.
4. Add the black beans and cook for 5-7 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve beans over cooked rice with steak on the side.

10) Slow-Cooked Black Beans with Onion and Cumin

This slow-cooked black beans recipe is honestly a lifesaver when you want something hearty. The onion and cumin give it a cozy, earthy vibe that just fills the kitchen.

Fry the onion with cumin seeds until the edges start to brown. Next, add garlic, oregano, salt, and pour in water or broth.

Let everything simmer away—high for 4 to 6 hours, or low for 7 to 8 hours. The beans soak up all that flavor as they cook.

Scoop these beans into burritos, toss them on salads, or just eat them with rice. They’re pretty versatile.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried black beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 cups water or vegetable broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss onion and cumin seeds into a pan.
   Let them fry until they look a bit browned.

2. Add garlic and oregano.
   Let that cook for another minute—just enough for the aroma to hit you.

3. Scoop everything into a slow cooker.
   Pour in black beans, a bit of salt, and your choice of water or broth.

4. Set the slow cooker to high for 4-6 hours, or low for 7-8 hours.
   You’ll know the beans are ready when they’re nice and tender.

5. Give the beans a good stir before serving.

Curious for more tips? Here’s the slow cooker black beans recipe.