Our 12 Best Black Beans Recipes!

Here are our 12 most popular recipes for everyone’s favorite bean—black beans! These recipes are super easy, high in protein, and mostly vegan. From dried bean dishes to canned, you will want to make every single one.

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An informal study (reader comments) have told me that you guys love a good black beans recipe. The average American eats an eye-popping 17 1/2 cups of black beans a year!

They are by far the most popular recipes on ¡Hola! Jalapeño and at our own dinner table. They have an incredibly comforting, earthy flavor and work well in everything from bean burgers to black bean soup.

Keep reading for 12 of our most popular (not to mention yummiest) recipes for black beans. So grab a bag (or a can) and get cooking!

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Are Black Beans Good For You?

This simple answer is YES! Black beans are loaded with nutrients. They are high in fiber and interestingly enough, especially high in vitamin C. They are also a terrific source of potassium and calcium (read: healthy bones) and low in calories.

12 Of The Best Black Beans Recipes

1. Best Ever Canned Black Beans

This recipe will show you how to turn a can of beans into something extraordinary with a few simple ingredients and one special technique. Use this canned black beans recipe for any canned beans to create a quick and easy side dish or filling for quesadillas, tostadas, or enchiladas.

A black pot filled with black beans, sautéed onions, garlic, and jalapeños with a potato masher in the pot.

2. Sofrito Black Beans

The ultimate recipe for making restaurant-style, ultra-flavorful Sofrito Black Beans with dried black beans, onions, garlic, jalapeños, and cumin. Eat as a soup or use to make refried beans. Perfect for weekly meal prep. Cook them at the beginning of the week and enjoy them all week long. Vegan and gluten-free!

*Tip for cooking dried beans: Do not add salt until after the beans have become tender. Salt prevents them from softening.

A blue bowl filled with black beans topped with sliced red onion and cilantro leaves sitting on a wood table with a white napkin.

3. Black Bean Tortilla Soup

The secret ingredient in this Black Bean Soup from A Couple Cooks‘ cookbook, Pretty Simple Cooking, is the smoky adobo sauce found in a can of chipotles in adobo. Just a spoonful transforms this simple soup into something truly special. This simple recipe uses canned black beans, all you need to do is bring to a boil and the soup is ready in minutes.

A blue pot sitting on a wood table filled with black beans and canned tomatoes. There is a wood spoon sticking out.

4. Black Bean and Farro Cakes

This bean recipe makes an excellent black bean burger, side dish, or main course topped with zesty pico de gallo. They’re really easy to make, just brown the cakes in olive oil for about 15 minutes in a frying pan. If you are going the veggie burger route serve on fluffy potato buns with guacamole and cilantro lime slaw.

A black bean cake sitting in a gray bowl with scalloped edges topped with pico de Gallo and a lime wedge on the side.

5. Deep Dish Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

This recipe for Black Bean Enchilada Casserole has eight layers of tortillas, black beans, roasted vegetables, and cheese making it the most delicious ever! Bake in the oven, in a deep casserole dish until the cheese is melted and bubbly. A healthy, plant-based casserole, perfect for Sunday family dinner.

A woman in a blue and orange apron holding a casserole of tortillas, beans, and cheese topped with red onion slices.

6. Instant Pot Black Beans

This delicious side dish can be found in my cookbook, Plant Powered Mexican, and shows you how to make dried beans from scratch in under an hour with half the amount of liquid. After you rinse the beans, place them in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker with the water and remaining ingredients. Set the cook time for 30 minutes— and that’s it!

A yellow bowl with red and blue flowers if filled with black beans and a wood spoon sticking out of the side of the bowl.

7. Black Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Tamales

An authentic and delicious recipe for Black Bean and Cheese Vegetarian Tamales. Make them for the any celebration and serve with Charred Salsa Verde. You can steam these tamales up to two hours in advance then reduce the heat on the steamer and keep warm until you are ready to serve. These plant based tamales are gluten-free and easily vegan adaptable.

A black bean and cheese tamal sitting on a corn husk with tomatillo salsa on top and a cheese melted to the side.

8. Sweet Potato Nachos with Black Beans and Smoked Cheddar

The nachos to end all nachos…the most epic Sweet Potato Nachos recipe ever! With just 4 ingredients and a quick blitz under the broiler, this healthier nacho recipe will be ready in minutes. Full of flavor and perfect as an easy dinner idea for the family. Add seasoned ground beef for the meat-eaters.

A white plate with sweet potato fries topped with black beans and melted cheese and chopped cilantro with a lime.

9. Black Bean Pupusas with Lime Curtido

How to make one of the most beloved Latin American black bean recipes—vegan Black Bean Pupusas—right in your own kitchen plus step-by-step instructions on fermenting your own Lime Curtido in fresh lime zest and lime juice to serve with them!

A white plate with two pupusas on it topped with sour cream and lime curtido and sliced radishes with a fork on the plate.

10. Chipotle Black Bean Chili

A plant-based Black Bean Chili recipe with chipotle chiles, and loads of fresh vegetables. Serve in big bowls with all your favorite toppings and a side of cornbread or over a baked potato. Gluten-free and easily vegan-adaptable!

A bowl of black bean chili topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and chopped cilantro next to a piece of cornbread.

11. Warm Black Bean Dip with Feta

The best warm black bean dip ever! Refried black beans and salsa topped with crumbled feta cheese and baked in the oven until bubbly. Serve with fresh veggies and tortilla chips.

A copped baking dish filled with black bean dip topped with white feta cheese that has been broiled and browned.

12. Vegan Black Bean Enchiladas in Pipián Rojo

How about one of the best authentic Mexican dinner ideas? These Black Bean Enchiladas with Pipián Rojo are cozy, comforting, and dairy-free!

A white plate with three black bean enchiladas on it topped with red sauce, hunks of avocado, toasted sesame seeds.

More Bean Recipes You’ll Love!

Soak, Simmer, and Serve

If you love black beans like we do, you are going to want to try every one of these recipes. Let me know what you make by snapping a pic and tagging me on Instagram @holajalapeno and #holajalapeno so I can see or leave me a comment below! Also, sign up for my weekly newsletter, lots of good stuff there too!

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