16 Black Bean Recipes to Keep in Your Back Pocket

It’s no secret that black beans are good for you—they're a great source of plant-based protein and are packed with fiber. But, that doesn’t mean they have to be bland or boring. Black beans have a deep, earthy flavor and creamy texture that works perfectly in a number of recipes, from hearty soups to innovative desserts. Just cook up one of these recipes and you'll see what we mean.

Coconut and black beans may seem like an odd pairing, but the sweet and buttery notes of coconut really enhance the earthiness of black beans. This recipe infuses the beans with coconut flavors in two ways—coconut water and coconut oil. A squirt of lime juice adds brightness to the pot.

Many consider this black bean dish not only to be the national dish of Brazil but also one of the greatest black bean dishes in the world. The traditional version includes about half a dozen different kinds of cured and fresh meats and is often simmered overnight. Some of the traditional ingredients can be hard to find (and pretty heavy), so we’re thankful for this lightened-up version that limits to the meats to easy-to-find chorizo and American bacon.

These spicy black beans from Valerie Bertinelli are a spice-lover’s dream. The combination of three types of chiles — chipotle, cayenne and green chiles — really sets these beans apart, offering multiple layers of heat from smokey to fruity and herbaceous. What’s best is that you can whip these up quickly as the recipe calls for canned black beans.

While we all love the convenience of ready-made veggie patties, making a homemade veggie burger can make you feel like an accomplished chef for not much effort. It doesn’t get more straightforward than Ree Drummond’s black bean burger patties that call for just a handful of ingredients. This recipe is perfect for a small household but can be easily multiplied.