A curated collection of Sweet Potato Soul’s top bean recipes. From dips and snacks to soups, bowls, burgers, and even desserts, this roundup of vegan and vegetarian bean-based dishes offers something tasty for every meal and occasion.
Originally published June 10, 2021. Updated with new recipes on October 25, 2024.
Got a pantry full of beans and need fresh ideas? Over more than a decade of recipe development, I’ve shared dozens of simple, flavorful bean recipes — curries, salads, soul food, enchiladas, burgers, dips, and even bean-based desserts. If you love legumes or are curious to cook with them more, this list of the 42 best vegan bean recipes is a perfect place to start.
If “bean recipes” brings to mind bland dishes, these recipes should change your mind. The focus here is on bold flavors, satisfying textures, and approachable techniques so beans shine in every dish.
Table of contents
- Cooking with Beans Q&A
- Why eat beans?
- How do I make beans taste good?
- How to cook dried beans in the Instant Pot?
- Common Dried Bean Pressure Cooking Times
- Bean Dips and Snacks
- Bean Salads
- Bean Soups, Chili, Curries, and Stews
- Bean Bowls
- International Bean Recipes
- Soul Food Recipes Made with Beans
- Bean Burgers, Pizza, & Other Main Dishes
- Breakfast Bean Recipes
- Vegan Bean Desserts
Cooking with Beans Q&A
Why eat beans?
Beans are nutritious and versatile. They provide fiber, plant protein, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, making them a great foundation for plant-based meals. Beans add texture, color, and heartiness to dishes, are affordable, and store well in the pantry, so they’re ideal for quick, budget-friendly cooking.
How do I make beans taste good?
Beans have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that absorbs seasonings beautifully. To make them stand out:
- Cook with aromatics: onions, garlic, leeks, or shallots add depth.
- Salt to taste: seasoning brightens and enhances bean dishes.
- Balance with acid: a squeeze of citrus or a splash of vinegar lifts flavors.
- Use bold seasonings: spices, sauces, or international blends give beans distinct profiles.
- Cook until tender: beans should be fork-tender and creamy inside.
- Soak and rinse: soaking helps beans cook evenly and can reduce gas; discard soaking liquid and rinse before cooking.
- Avoid acidic bases while cooking: tomatoes or vinegar can slow softening, so add them after beans are cooked unless the recipe specifies otherwise.
How to cook dried beans in the Instant Pot?
Dried beans are economical and store well. The Instant Pot makes cooking them easy and fast. Basic steps:
- Soak 1 pound of beans in cool water for 8 hours or overnight (optional but recommended).
- Drain and rinse, then add beans to the Instant Pot with about 3 1/2 cups fresh water or broth.
- Pressure cook on high for the recommended time for your bean type.
- Allow a natural pressure release (up to 20 minutes), then season and use in recipes.
Common Dried Bean Pressure Cooking Times
Cook times after soaking overnight*
| Type of Dried Bean | Pressure Cooking Time |
| Navy Beans | 10 min |
| Black Beans | 12 min |
| Cannellini Beans or Kidney Beans | 15 min |
| Pinto Beans | 15 min |
| Garbanzo Beans (Chickpeas) | 16–18 min |
| Corona Beans | 25 min |
Optional: sauté onions and garlic in the pot before adding beans and liquid, or use broth instead of water for added flavor. Stir in herbs or bouillon as desired.
Bean Dips and Snacks
Brilliant Beet Black Bean Dip
A creamy, savory, and slightly spicy black bean dip with roasted beets for color and depth—great with veggies or pita chips.
Sweet Potato Hummus
Roasted sweet potato blended with chickpeas, tahini, miso, and spices for a uniquely sweet and savory hummus.
Corn + Peach Crostini with White Bean Basil Puree
Toasted bread topped with a herbed white bean puree and a fresh corn-peach salad for a bright appetizer.
Roasted Chickpeas
Crispy, spiced chickpeas make a fast snack or a crunchy topping for salads and soups.
Bean Salads
Marinated White Bean Salad
A bright, herb-forward white bean salad tossed in a balsamic-maple dressing with fresh vegetables.
Chickpea Tuna Salad
A creamy, zesty plant-based take on tuna salad using mashed chickpeas and flavorful seasonings.
Amazing Edamame Salad
A crunchy edamame salad with a garlic-ginger almond dressing, shredded carrots, and cabbage—great as a side or main.
Black Eyed Pea Salad
Also called Texas caviar, this salad is full of flavor and texture—perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
Vegan Caesar Salad
A creamy plant-based Caesar with crispy chickpeas for crunch—great as a main or side.
Mango Avocado Salad
A colorful salad with mango guacamole, fresh veggies, and black beans for a bright, satisfying dish.
Roasted Beet & Potato Salad
Roasted beets and Yukon golds with pumpkin seeds, white beans, and a lemon vinaigrette—a vegetable-forward, filling salad.
Vegan Nicoise Salad
A plant-based take on the classic, packed with flavorful ingredients and a tangy dressing.
Autumn Kale Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette
A hearty fall salad with greens, avocado, beans, roasted sweet potato, and pumpkin seeds for a filling main or side.
Bean Soups, Chili, Curries, and Stews
Sweet Potato Bisque with Crispy White Beans
A creamy vegan bisque using pureed sweet potatoes and beans in place of cream, finished with crispy white beans.
Instant Pot Black Bean Soup
A smoky, spicy black bean soup made quickly in the Instant Pot—perfect for weeknight dinners.
Hearty Tofu Chili
A robust chili packed with tomatoes, peppers, spices, tofu, and beans for a satisfying, protein-forward meal.
Instant Pot White Beans with Lemon and Rosemary
Creamy white beans simmered with rosemary and lemon—versatile as a side or main component.
Sweet Potato Black-Eyed Pea Curry
An Indian-inspired, spicy and creamy curry with sweet potato and black-eyed peas—serve it with rice or flatbread.
Bean Bowls
Vegan Burrito Bowl
Loaded bowls with walnut taco meat, beans, rice, and fresh toppings—perfect for meal prep and family dinners.
Winter Burrito Bowl
Kale, black beans, carrots, jalapeños, and avocado cream make a nourishing seasonal bowl.
Southern Buddha Bowl with Green Limas
Chewy farro topped with lima beans, pickled onions, corn, and a peach vinaigrette for a fresh take on Southern flavors.
International Bean Recipes
Sweet Potato Falafel Sandwich
Baked chickpea falafel with sweet potato for natural sweetness—crispy and perfect in a sandwich.
Chickpea & Butternut Squash Tagine
A Moroccan-inspired tagine with chickpeas and roasted squash—comforting and easy to prepare.
Green Chili “Chicken” Enchiladas
Bean- and plant-based chicken-filled enchiladas smothered in green chili for ultimate comfort food.
Teriyaki Chickpeas
A healthier teriyaki made with dates, garlic, and ginger—serve with rice and vegetables for a quick meal.
Nut-Free West African Peanut Stew
A rich, comforting stew made with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version of West African peanut stew.
Vegan Nachos
Loaded nachos topped with beans and savory plant-based toppings—ready in about 20 minutes for game nights or casual dinners.
Soul Food Recipes Made with Beans
Vegan Red Beans and Rice
A New Orleans–style red beans and rice with Cajun spices and hearty ingredients for classic comfort made plant-based.
Vegan Hoppin’ John
A plant-based version of the rice-and-beans classic using spices to replace smoked meats, delivering the same comforting flavor.
Vegan Black Eyed Peas
Zesty, comforting black eyed peas made without meat—easy on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot.
Nut-Free Vegan Mac and Cheese
Creamy mac and cheese made using pureed beans for a smooth, rich, nut-free plant-based sauce.
Bean Burgers, Pizza, & Other Main Dishes
Spicy Black Bean Burger with Tajín
A zesty black bean burger seasoned with Tajín, pumpkin seeds, and spices for bold flavor.
World’s Best Veggie Burger | Black Bean Beet Burgers
Black bean and beet burgers with carrots, rice, and walnuts for great texture and flavor.
Black Bean Hemp Burgers
Nutrient-dense burgers featuring black beans and hemp seeds—serve with avocado and roasted wedges.
Vegan Sausages
Savory homemade vegan sausages made from beans and spices—versatile and satisfying.
Easy Chickpea-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Thai-seasoned chickpeas stuffed into tender sweet potatoes for an aromatic, wholesome meal.
Vegan Black Bean Crust Pizza
A naturally gluten-free pizza crust made from black beans—crispy, savory, and customizable.
Sweet Potato Burgers with Green Tahini
Chickpea-and-sweet-potato burgers flavored with almonds, cilantro, and spices—topped with bright green tahini.
Hearty Zucchini Burgers
A tasty, nutritious burger that makes good use of extra zucchini—ideal for meal prep or family meals.
Breakfast Bean Recipes
Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
A one-skillet breakfast with crispy sweet potatoes, sautéed veggies, black beans, and avocado—ready in under 30 minutes.
Sweet Potato Breakfast Burrito
Buritos filled with vegan sausage, black beans, and sweet potato—make a batch and freeze for quick breakfasts.
Vegan Bean Desserts
Double Chocolate Black Bean Cookies
Fudgy vegan cookies made with black beans for moisture and texture—rich, chocolatey, and gluten-friendly.
I hope this roundup inspires you to try beans in new and delicious ways for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Save your favorites and experiment with seasonings to make each recipe your own.