Bean Recipes Vegan Plant Based Recipes for Easy Meals

There’s something truly magical about beans when it comes to vegan and plant-based cooking. Beans are not only a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with protein, fiber, and essential minerals, but they’re also incredibly versatile.

Whether you’re looking for a cozy stew to warm up a winter night, a zesty salad for a summer picnic, or a satisfying burger to impress your friends, beans can do it all. The best part?

These recipes are as delicious as they are good for you! In this post, I’m sharing my top bean recipes that are 100% vegan, plant-based, and irresistibly tasty.

From hearty chili to creamy hummus and crispy bean burgers, you’ll never look at beans the same way again. Get ready to discover new favorites that will keep your meals exciting and nourishing!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Super Nutritious: Beans are packed with plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and other vital nutrients that support optimal health on a vegan diet.
• Budget-Friendly: Beans are one of the most affordable protein sources, making them perfect for feeding a family or meal prepping on a budget.
• Versatile & Delicious: Whether in stews, salads, burgers, or dips, beans adapt beautifully to a variety of cuisines and flavors.
• Easy to Make: These recipes rely on simple techniques and ingredients, so they’re accessible even for beginner cooks.
• Meal Prep Friendly: Beans store well and taste even better after a day or two in the fridge, making them ideal for batch cooking.

Ingredients

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven (for chili)
• Food processor or blender (for hummus and burger mix)
• Mixing bowls
• Baking sheet or skillet (for burgers)
• Spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Can opener

Instructions

Classic Vegan Three-Bean Chili

1. Prep the Veggies: Dice the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic.
2. Sauté: In a large pot over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil (or use water for oil-free). Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Add Spices: Sprinkle in chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin. Stir for 1 minute to toast the spices.
4. Add Beans & Tomatoes: Pour in the black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and diced tomatoes (with their juices).
5. Add Broth & Simmer: Add vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Let simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Season & Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or avocado if desired.

Creamy White Bean Hummus

1. Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, combine cannellini beans, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
2. Adjust Consistency: Blend until smooth, adding water 1 tablespoon at a time until creamy.
3. Serve: Transfer to a bowl, drizzle with extra olive oil, and sprinkle with paprika or chopped herbs.

Spiced Black Bean Burgers

1. Prepare Beans: Place black beans in a large bowl and mash with a fork, leaving some chunks for texture.
2. Mix Ingredients: Add oats, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, soy sauce, and spices. Mix well until combined.
3. Form Patties: Shape the mixture into 4-6 patties with your hands.
4. Cook: Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat or preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook patties 5 minutes per side in the skillet or bake for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. Serve: Enjoy on buns with your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Use Dried Beans: If you have time, cooked dried beans provide even better texture and flavor. Just soak overnight and cook until tender.
• Mix Up the Beans: Try chickpeas, navy beans, or lentils in any of these recipes for new flavors and textures.
• Spice It Up: Add jalapeños or chipotle powder to the chili for extra heat, or blend roasted red peppers into the hummus for a smoky twist.
• Gluten-Free Option: For the burgers, use gluten-free oats and breadcrumbs.
• Meal Prep: All of these dishes can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Freezer Friendly: Both chili and burgers freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• For more ideas, check out our Half Runner Beans Recipe for another plant-based bean classic!

“Beans are the backbone of plant-based cooking—affordable, filling, and endlessly adaptable.”

Nutrition Facts

Here’s an approximate nutrition breakdown for each recipe, based on standard serving sizes:

Nutrition will vary based on specific brands and ingredient adjustments.

Serving Suggestions

• Three-Bean Chili: Enjoy as-is, or serve over brown rice, quinoa, or baked sweet potatoes. Top with avocado, lime wedges, or fresh cilantro.
• Creamy White Bean Hummus: Serve with pita, veggie sticks, or as a spread on sandwiches and wraps. Try it as a base for grain bowls!
• Black Bean Burgers: Serve on toasted whole grain buns with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mustard. Pair with a fresh salad or baked sweet potato fries.
• For a full meal, combine the chili with a side of Green Chile Cheese Bread or finish with a sweet treat like Grandma’s Old Fashioned Bread Pudding.

Conclusion

Beans are truly the unsung hero of plant-based cuisine. Not only do they make vegan eating simple and affordable, but they also provide endless opportunities for creativity in the kitchen.

Whether you’re making a comforting pot of chili, blending up a creamy hummus, or grilling a hearty burger, beans deliver on taste, nutrition, and satisfaction every single time.

If you’re just starting out with plant-based cooking, these bean recipes are a fantastic way to get inspired. Remember, you can always swap in your favorite beans or spices, so don’t be afraid to experiment!

Hungry for more? Explore our Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe for a wholesome vegan breakfast, or try the Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe for a quick weeknight dinner.

Happy cooking and enjoy every bean-filled bite!

More Vegan Bean Recipes You’ll Love

• Curried Chickpea Salad: Toss canned chickpeas with vegan mayo, curry powder, diced celery, apple, and scallions for a protein-packed sandwich filling or salad topper.
• Mexican Pinto Bean Soup: Sauté onions, garlic, jalapeño, and cumin. Add pinto beans, veggie broth, and fire-roasted tomatoes; simmer and blend half for a creamy, hearty soup.
• Lentil and Black Bean Tacos: Sauté lentils and black beans with taco spices, then pile into tortillas with fresh salsa, avocado, and lettuce.
• Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip: Blend cannellini beans with roasted garlic, lemon, and olive oil for an irresistible party dip.
• Easy Bean & Veggie Stir-Fry: Use your favorite beans (like edamame or chickpeas), toss them with a rainbow of veggies, and stir-fry in a tangy sauce for a quick meal.
• Italian Butter Bean Stew: Simmer butter beans with tomatoes, spinach, Italian herbs, and a splash of balsamic for a cozy dinner.
• Moroccan Spiced Bean Tagine: Combine chickpeas and white beans with Moroccan spices, apricots, and tomatoes for a sweet and savory stew.
• Bean & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers: Mix cooked beans with quinoa, veggies, and spices, then bake in bell peppers for a colorful, satisfying entrée.

Let beans be the star of your next meal—whether you’re eating plant-based for the first time or you’re a seasoned vegan chef, these recipes will keep your table vibrant, healthy, and full of flavor!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Black Bean Chili”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A hearty, plant-based chili full of flavor and protein-packed black beans. Perfect for a cozy dinner and easy to make in under an hour.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 tablespoons olive oil”, “1 medium onion, diced”, “3 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 red bell pepper, diced”, “2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed”, “1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes”, “2 teaspoons chili powder”, “1 teaspoon ground cumin”, “1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1/4 teaspoon black pepper”, “1 cup vegetable broth”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add onion and red bell pepper, saut\u00e9 for 5 minutes until softened.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook for 30 seconds.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add black beans, diced tomatoes, and vegetable broth.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Taste and adjust seasonings as needed before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “280 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “12 g”, “fatContent”: “7 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “40 g”}}