Beans are such an incredible, affordable source of fiber and protein. And with the right recipe, they can be absolutely delicious, too! These flavor-packed vegan bean recipes will help you learn to love eating your beans.
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Whether you're cooking from dry or from canned, beans are a great, budget-friendly option to have in the pantry. And they're incredibly versatile, too! My family eats beans multiple times a week in various forms, and I'm excited to share my recipes with you today!
From bean salads to soups and stews to pasta dishes to dips and hummus and more, beans are a great addition to your meals to add protein, fiber, and texture.
How to Cook Dried Beans
Most of my vegan bean recipes call for canned or cooked beans, but don't worry! You can precook dried beans and refrigerate or freeze them to use in any dish.
1 15-ounce can of beans = 1 ½ cups cooked beans
Cooking times for dried beans will vary quite a bit depending on your beans, the age of your beans, and the cooking method. Older dried beans tend to need more cooking time to get tender.
The directions below are for unseasoned beans, so they'll work in any recipe. If you want to add seasonings or sauté onions, garlic, and/or peppers before adding the beans and water to the pan, go for it!
Stovetop Directions
To cook dried beans on the stovetop, soak them overnight, then drain them. Then, add them to a pot with enough water to cover them, plus about 3". Bring to a boil on high heat, and let them cook at a hard boil for about 20 minutes. Add more water, if needed.
Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 2 hours. Different beans have different cooking times, so just check in periodically, and taste a few beans to make sure they're ready.
Instant Pot Directions
For the Instant Pot, you don't need to soak the beans. Add them to the Instant Pot with enough water to cover plus about 3". Cook at pressure for 20 to 50 minutes, until tender. Cooking time will depend on the size and age of the beans.
If you open the pot to check, and the beans aren't done, just put the lid back on, lock it again, and cook at pressure for 5 to 10 more minutes. Getting the lid back on can be tough, since the beans are still releasing a lot of steam. Make sure you have the lid set to Venting, so you can push it down to lock it.
How to Store Cooked Beans
Store cooked beans in the cooking liquid in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to a year. Freeze with the cooking liquid in 1 ½ cup portions, and thaw on the counter for a few hours or in the fridge overnight before using. You can also thaw on the stovetop, if you need them to be ready faster.
Bean Salads and Bowl Meals
Roasted Beet and Sweet Potato Salad
Smoky Black Bean Bowls with Crispy Potatoes and Roasted Zucchini
Smashed White Bean Salad
Mashed Chickpea Salad
Avocado White Bean Salad
🥭 Black Bean Mango Salad
Kale and White Bean Salad
Mediterranean Butter Bean Salad
🫙 Quinoa Mason Jar Salad
Vegan Taco Salad Recipe
Rice and Pasta with Beans
🍝 Vegan Protein Pasta
Cashew Pesto Pasta Bake
Vegan Chorizo Pasta
Southwest Pasta Salad
Cheesy Vegan Rice Casserole
Vegan Instant Pot Risotto
Soups and Stews
Creamy Instant Pot White Bean Soup
🎃 Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup (with stovetop directions)
Creamy Chickpea Curry (Without Coconut!)
Pumpkin Black Bean Soup
Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup
Bean Chili
Vegan Bean Chili
Vegan White Bean Chili
Instant Pot Chili with Canned Beans and Tofu
Casseroles
Vegan Cabbage Rolls
Cheesy Chili Casserole with Tater Tots
Bean Tacos
Mango Tacos
Vegan Black Bean Tacos
Pinto Bean Tacos Recipe
Avocado Tacos
More Mexican-Inspired Bean Recipes
Mexican Tortilla Pizza
🫘 Vegan Bean Nachos
Vegan Taquitos Recipe
Vegan Instant Pot Pinto Beans Recipe
Baked Vegan Quesadilla Recipe
Tofu Burrito Bowls
Black Bean Sweet Potato Enchiladas
Instant Pot Quinoa Burrito Bowl
Bean Dips and Snacks
Vegan Black Bean Dip
Chili Crisp Hummus
Crispy Roasted Ranch Chickpeas Recipe
🥕 Roasted Carrot Hummus
Smoky BBQ Hummus Recipe
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
Aromatics and spices! Before cooking the beans, sauté onion, garlic, and/or hot or sweet peppers in the pan. Then, add the beans, water, and your spices of choice. For that umami flavor, add spices like onion powder, garlic powder, paprika/smoked paprika, and chili powder.
If you're using cooked or canned beans in a recipe, rinsing them before cooking will make them less gassy. This gets rid of some of the hard-to-digest compounds that can cause gas. You don't want to rinse seasoned beans, though, because you'll lose all of that flavor!
Beans have a lot of fiber, which is the other factor that can cause gas. If you're new to eating high fiber foods, the best option is to start slowly and increase the amount at each meal as your body acclimates.
Got a question? Tried this recipe? Leave a reply!