16 Delicious Recipes Featuring Beans & Lentils
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on May 4, 2025
Honestly, I canโt look at the title of this post without hearing my little brothers sing that silly song about beans. We didnโt grow up eating beans.
The funny thing is that after I stopped eating meat after college, I naturally started craving them. I quickly discovered that beans are hearty, satisfying, rich in protein and fiber, and gloriously inexpensive. Now that Iโve gotten on the bean bandwagon, my family has, too. Victory!
Below, youโll find a wide variety of hearty meals with Mexican, Mediterranean and Italian influences. These recipes feature chickpeas, black beans, white beans, pinto beans, lentils and more. I typically use canned beans for ease, but Iโve written guides on how to cook black beans and lentils from scratch.
If you want to eat more beans, these recipes are for you. They might change your familyโs opinion on meatless meals, too.
Crispy Falafel
This homemade falafel recipe is absolutely delicious, and remarkably crispy! Be sure to allow 4 hours soaking time for the chickpeas, preferably overnight. Then, the falafel mixture is super easy to make in a food processor. Recipe yields 12 to 13 falafels (see notes on how to double).
Quick Chana Masala
Quick and easy chana masala recipe served over basmati rice. This spicy, hearty, chickpea-based Indian dish is vegan and gluten free. It makes great leftovers, too! Be sure to prep the ingredients in advance, as the recipe moves quickly. Recipe yields 4 bowls.
Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad with Radish and Herbs
A fresh and filling bean salad flavored with lemon and fresh mint and dill. Use steamed lentils and canned chickpeas for a meal ready in under 20 minutes. This salad keeps well for a few days in the fridge and packs great for lunch! Recipe yields about 5 1/2 cups (4 to 6 servings).
Easy Refried Beans
These refried beans are delicious and so easy to make. This refried bean recipe is quick, tooโuse canned beans and theyโre ready in 25 minutes! Plus, these beans are healthy, vegan and gluten free. Recipe yields 2 1/2 cups refried beans (21 ounces), enough for 5 servings.
Pasta e Fagioli (Italian Pasta and Beans)
Pasta e fagioli means โpasta and beansโ in Italianโthis recipe is much more than that! This hearty vegetarian stew is full of irresistible fresh flavor. Itโs vegan, too, as long as you donโt top it with cheese. Recipe yields 6 bowls or 8 cups of soup.
Kalamata White Bean Dip
Whip up this white bean dip with Kalamata olives! It easy to make with pantry ingredients and tastes delicious. The sprinkle of fresh basil is optional. Recipe yields about 1 3/4 cups of dip.
Lentil Salad
This classic lentil salad recipe is the perfect side dish! Itโs easy to make with simple ingredients like cherry tomatoes, lemon and parsley. Recipe yields about 5 cups of salad, enough for 4 hearty portions.
Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)
Mujadara is a classic Arabic recipe featuring cooked lentils and rice, caramelized onions, herbs and yogurt. Itโs a delicious vegetarian main dish! This version calls for brown rice instead of white (if you want to use white, see recipe notes). Recipe yields 4 generous servings.
Mediterranean Bean Salad
This Mediterranean-style bean salad recipe is delightfully crisp and satisfying. Its fresh flavors include kidney beans, chickpeas, lemon, garlic and leafy herbs. This healthy salad is vegan and gluten free, but mostly just delicious! Recipe yields about six 1-cup servings.
The Best Hummus
Learn how to make the best homemade hummus! Itโs creamy, dreamy and light. This hummus recipe is easy to makeโno peeling chickpeas or overnight soak required. Recipe yields about 2 cups.
Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce
Youโre going to love this vegetarian lentil tacos recipe. Roasted cauliflower, seasoned lentils and creamy chipotle sauce combine to make a delicious taco! Recipe yields 8 modestly portioned tacos.
Best Lentil Soup
This simple vegan lentil soup recipe comes together quickly with mostly pantry ingredients. Be sure to have your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking! Recipe yields four large bowls of soup, or six more modest servings.
Homemade Vegetarian Chili
The smoky, complex flavor of this simple vegetarian chili comes from basic pantry ingredients, vegetables and spices! It makes great leftovers, too. Recipe yields 4 large or 6 moderate servings of chili.
Fresh Black Bean Burrito Bowl
This homemade black bean burrito bowl recipe features cilantro-lime rice, tender black beans, pickled onions and fresh cilantro pesto! This healthy bowl makes great leftovers, too. Itโs vegetarian (easily vegan) and gluten free. Recipe yields 4 hearty burrito bowls.
Spicy Black Bean Soup
This healthy black bean soup recipe is easy to make with canned beans. Thanks to some basic aromatics and Cuban spices, itโs incredibly flavorful and delicious. This soup is naturally vegan, vegetarian and gluten free. The recipe yields quite a bit of soup (6 to 8 servings)โit is easily halved, or you can freeze the leftovers.
Cowboy Caviar
This cowboy caviar recipe (also known as Texas caviar) is made from scratch with all-natural ingredients! Serve it as a dip, salsa or saladโitโll be a hit at your next party. Recipe yields a lot of โcaviar,โ about 8 cups.
More resources you might appreciate: 23 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 45 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.
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