If there’s one food group most of us don’t consume enough of (apart from veggies), it’s legumes. Beans, peas, and lentils are incredibly healthy, versatile, and packed with plant-based protein!
But what should you do if you don’t like the taste of beans?
free 7-day vegan meal plan
Your next week of eating is planned out with these quick and delicious vegan bowls, meal prepping steps & full grocery list.
This list of protein-packed bean recipes goes way beyond hummus or veggie burgers; it ranges from meal prep-friendly breakfast ideas to higher protein desserts, hearty meatless meals and sweet and savory snacks!
Canned or dried beans make for budget-friendly staples you can use to create simple pantry meals — and if you don’t discard their cooking liquid, you can even make delicious aquafaba recipes with them!
Best Vegan Bean Recipes
Loaded Kidney Bean Burgers
One of the best bean recipes is this hearty veggie burger! With a combination of smashed kidney beans, vibrantly pink beetroot, earthy mushrooms and savory spices, this meatless meal is a true crowd-pleaser.
High-Protein Lasagna
You’ll never guess where the beans are in this healthy lasagna: the cheesy sauce! It consists of a handful of simple ingredients and is made in a blender. Just pour it over any casserole dish before baking!
Best Skillet Cookie Cake
Who would have thought that you could make delicious cookies out of beans? This healthy recipe requires only basic kitchen tools, is kid-friendly and studded with melted chocolate chunks.
Easy Chickpea Meatloaf
Make this hearty meatless main dish for the whole family! With canned chickpeas, breadcrumbs and common pantry spices, this accessible recipe is both nutritious and crowd-pleasing.
Vegan Potato Curry
Looking for a flavorful one-pot dinner idea? Try this creamy vegan curry with coconut milk, chickpeas, green peas and potatoes. It’s budget-friendly and really satisfying.
Chocolate Mousse Cake
Use up a whole can of chickpeas by making this delicious chocolate mousse cake! The cooked chickpeas go into the crust and their liquid is used to make the fluffy topping.
Easy Stuffed Peppers
Make high-protein stuffed bell peppers the vegan way! Tomato-flavored quinoa, black beans and corn are a filling low-calorie combo that can be topped with avocado or dairy-free yogurt.
Creamy Hummus
This traditional hummus recipe is based on canned chickpeas and made fluffy and creamy without any added oil! Great with veggie sticks, in sandwiches or wraps.
Strawberry Bean Smoothie
Here is another surprising bean recipe for you: creamy berry smoothie with frozen banana, frozen cauliflower (yup!) and a handful of cannellini beans. Refreshing, tasty and bursting with nutrients!
Chili Sin Carne
Make this chickpea and kidney bean chili for a budget-friendly and hearty weeknight meal! Deep in flavor, protein- and veggie-packed and so crowd-pleasing.
Chocolate Chickpea Ice Cream
You can put beans in ice cream? Yup. This 6-ingredient chickpea ice cream doesn’t taste beany at all and features wholesome ingredients such as peanut butter, dairy-free milk and dates.
Creamy Pesto Pasta
Have you ever made your own oil-free pesto at home? It’s based on healthy cannellini beans, comes together within minutes in a blender and tastes great over pasta and veggies.
Flavorful Mexican Bowls
Whip up these Mexican bowls during your next meal prep for a quick weeknight dinner! Flavorful Mexican black beans, fresh mango salsa, guacamole and rice are drizzled with lime juice — so delicious.
Avocado Spinach Hummus
This creamy avocado and spinach hummus with parsley, green beans and tahini is perfect for dipping, spreading and making hummus pasta. Try it soon!
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
Add a handful of beans to your pasta salad to make it extra hearty! This Mediterranean-style recipe also features cooked quinoa, briny artichokes, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives and garlic yogurt sauce.
Black Bean Brownies
One of the tastiest ways to eat more beans is to bake black bean brownies! This recipe makes for really indulgent chocolatey treats but consists of healthy ingredients like beans, dates, almond butter, almond flour, hazelnuts and cocoa powder.
Cheesy Roasted Broad Beans
Welcome a new type of bean to the family: fava beans! They are larger than other varieties and make for a versatile and healthy snack when coated in different spices and then baked until golden and crispy.
Rainbow Buddha Bowl
Eat the rainbow with these nutrient-packed plant-based bowls! Roasted chickpeas, sweet potatoes, quinoa, crunchy veggies and a creamy dressing team up for the most delicious dinner idea.
Easy Bean Burritos
Use up any leftover rice and beans to create these super simple and delicious bean burritos! They are ready in only 15 minutes or less, great for portable lunches and really filling.
Roasted Beetroot Dip
Instead of making hummus, try this creamy beetroot dip with cannellini beans, garlic, thyme, tahini and lemon juice! It pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or salty crackers.
Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant
Try this hearty stuffed eggplant that uses a mixture of quinoa, tomato sauce, chickpeas and veggies for the filling. It’s budget-friendly, flavorful and great for meal prep!
Peanut Butter Balls
Another sneaky bean recipe for you! These easy bliss balls are secretly high in protein thanks to cooked white beans, homemade protein blend and peanut butter. Cover them in your favorite coatings and enjoy!
Vegan Falafel Tacos
Loaded with textures and flavors, these homemade falafel tacos have serious potential to become one of your go-to meals! The little balls are made from cooked chickpeas and taste amazing when served with cashew sour cream, crunchy veggies and creamy avocado.
Quinoa Veggie Bowls
Looking for a quick and versatile plant-based dinner idea? Try this quinoa veggie bowl with chickpeas, avocado, leafy greens and crunchy nuts.
Black Bean Meatballs
Try these meatless meatballs made from black beans! They are chewy, nutritious and totally family-friendly. We love them in marinara and with pasta!
Collard Green Wraps
Beef up your collard wraps by using protein-packed chickpeas for the filling! Combined with cooked millet, crunchy veggies and roasted eggplant, this recipe makes for one colorful and flavorful lunch idea.
Chickpea Cookie Dough
This edible cookie dough made from chickpeas and creamy nut butter is one of the healthiest snacks ever! Really filling, fibrous and even kid-friendly.
Sweet Potato Lima Bean Salad
Have you tried lima beans? They are a tasty and healthy add-in for different meals, just like this roast sweet potato salad with arugula and a homemade dressing.
Chickpea Flour Omelette
Skip the eggs and try this low-fat chickpea flour omelette filled with colorful veggies! It’s similar to pancakes, low in calories and soft and tender on the inside.
Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
These colorful tacos don’t just feature chickpea flour-battered buffalo cauliflower, but also crispy roasted chickpeas and creamy vegan ranch. Yes, please!
Spicy Roasted Chickpeas
Coated with spicy chili and lime flavors, these roasted chickpeas are so satisfying and a fantastic snack idea. They are super easy to make and kid-friendly!
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this collection, check out the following articles next!
- 20+ Chickpea Recipes
- 15+ Protein Powder Recipes
- 20+ Soy Curls Recipes
- 25+ Silken Tofu Recipes
- 18+ Easy TVP Recipes
Did you like these recipes and make any of them? Let us know in the comments below, check out our bean salad below and leave a rating. You can also Pin this article here!
30+ Creative Vegan Bean Recipes (Savory & Sweet)
Eat more healthy legumes with these creative sweet and savory bean recipes! Simple ideas that work for families, beginner cooks and those on a budget. The following quick and easy bean salad is great for picnics, hot summer days and everything in between.
Ingredients
3 Bean Salad
- 1 15-oz can kidney beans (400 g), drained
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas (400 g), drained
- 1 15-oz can cannellini beans (400 g), drained
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup fresh herbs or leafy greens, finely chopped (25 g)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients for the dressing in a large bowl. Adjust to taste preferences.
- Add the drained and rinsed beans, onion and greens to the dressing.
- Mix well to combine, then cover with a lid and allow to chill for a few hours before serving to let the beans soak up the flavors!
Notes
- Feel free to add dry herbs to this salad.
- Other add-ins include chopped cucumber, bell pepper, tomato or corn kernels.
- Find 30+ more easy bean recipes in the article above!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: ¼ recipeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 329Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 401mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 19gSugar: 15gProtein: 24g
Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated automatically, their accuracy is not guaranteed. Just focus on whole plant-based foods and eat until satiety!
Eat more healthy legumes with these creative sweet and savory bean recipes! Simple ideas that work for families, beginner cooks and those on a budget.