37 Recipes You Can Make with Canned Black Beans

That go way beyond soup and burritos!

Published August 24, 2021

Don’t just use canned black beans in soup, chili, and basic Mexican recipes. This pantry staple can add staying power to breakfast dishes, meatiness to veggie burgers, and moisture to dessert recipes. (Yes, you read that right: Pureed black beans can add a fudge-like richness to cakes, brownies, and other baked goods.)

Plus, the beans deliver a whopping dose of fiber—7 grams per ½ cup—and they’re a good source of protein, folate, magnesium, and heart-healthy antioxidants.

If you’re watching your salt intake, look for reduced-sodium or no-salt added canned beans. And if you prefer to use dried black beans, here’s how you make beans from scratch.

Main Dish Recipes that Use Black Beans

Family-favorite breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that serve 4 people or more

Mexican egg skillet

Cheesy black bean breakfast burritos

Southwest-Inspired black beans and eggs

Tex-Mex Rice and Bean Casserole

Pulled chicken ancho chile & black bean soup

Spicy Black Bean Soup

One-Pot Nacho Pasta

Mexican chicken with zucchini, corn, and black beans

Easy black bean burgers

Sweet potato and black bean tacos

Cuban black beans and rice

Smoky sweet potato and black bean soup

Lentil & Black Bean Chili

Black Bean Burrito Bowl

Chicken and cheese quesadillas with black beans

Grilled Cuban Chicken with Black Bean and Mango Salsa

Veggie sandwich with lemony black bean spread

Single Serving Recipes that Use Black Beans

Because sometimes you only need (or want!) to cook for one person

Chipotle-black bean chili

Ham, Salsa & Black Bean Bowl

Black bean & clementine dip

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Fresh corn and black bean salsa

Corn and Black Bean Salad

Black Bean and Veggie Salad

Shrimp and black bean tostadas with crudités and salsa

Corn and Black Bean Burrito

Creamy Black Bean Dip

Warm Black Bean Dip

Chicken and Black Bean Wrap

Black Bean, Zucchini and Goat Cheese Quesadilla

Black Bean Tostadas

Hominy and Black Bean Salad

Ranch Chicken Salad

Dessert Recipes with Black Beans

So you can cut back on butter and oil

Rich Black Bean Fudge

Chocolaty candy cane-cake triangles

Flourless mini chocolate cakes with chocolate ganache

Frozen double chocolate cheesecakes

Leslie Fink, MS, RD, has worked on the WeightWatchers® editorial team for more than 21 years. She plays a key role in food, recipe, and program content, as well as product partnerships and experiences.