7 Ways With Black Beans

Updated June 11, 2008
Karry Hosford

Sayhello to black beans as this season's protein source. Hearty, delicious, and convenient, these nutrient-packed legumes add great flavor to dishes such as lasagna, pizza, chili, taco salad, enchiladas, and burgers.

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Beyond the Burrito

Credit: Mitch Hrdlicka/Photodisc/Getty Images

A long-time staple in Mexican dishes, black beans are gaining much-deserved popularity across the culinary board. Filled with fiber and protein, black beans make a welcome addition to everything from dips to salads to main courses. Try adding the canned or dried beans to lasagna, burgers, or even pizza for tasty, filling meal.

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Lime-Spiked Black Bean Dip

Credit: Photography: Karry Hosford

Lime-Spiked Black Bean Dip Recipe

Canned black beans are easily turned into a tasty last minute party dip with the addition of garlic, grated carrots, green onion, cilantro, and a splash of lime juice. Serve with multicolored tortilla chips or Indian Naan.

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Chili-Cheese Black Bean Enchiladas

Credit: Photography: Randy Mayor; Styling: Melanie J. Clarke

Chili-Cheese Black Bean Enchiladas Recipe

A quick sauté of onions and Mexican spices adds lots of flavor to canned black beans and vegetarian crumbles stuffed into these vegetarian enchiladas. But it's the gooey mixture of cream cheese and cheddar that pulls it all together into something special.

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Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Cucumber and Red Pepper Relish

Credit: Randy Mayor; Melanie J. Clarke

Black Bean Burgers with Spicy Cucumber and Red Pepper Relish Recipe

Take a walk on the culinary wild side with these simple-to-fix black bean burgers made with canned black beans, breadcrumbs, onions and spices. Hot off the grill, their smoky flavor is enhanced by a homemade sweet and sour cucumber relish laced with dill and honey.

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Spinach-Black Bean Lasagna

Spinach-Black Bean Lasagna Recipe

It's easy to fall in love with the unusual flavors of this simple lasagna. The subtle combination of Mexican ingredients including cumin, cilantro, black beans, and spicy pepper jack cheese is softened by traditional components like ricotta cheese and spinach to make one indescribably good meal.

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Black Bean Chili

Credit: Greg DuPree

Black Bean Chili Recipe

Pull together a hearty meatless chili in just 30 minutes using canned black beans, vegetarian crumbles, onions, and canned tomatoes. Easy and versatile, this recipe is sure to make it into the family lineup over and over again.

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Black Bean-Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette

Credit: Randy Mayor

Black Bean-Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette Recipe

Make a meal of this light and healthy taco salad that uses black beans and roasted chicken in place of the more traditional ground beef. A tart vinaigrette made with lime juice gives the colorful salad a fresh citrus flavor.

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Mexican Black Bean and Spinach Pizza

Credit: Karry Hosford

Mexican Black Bean and Spinach Pizza Recipe

In the time it takes to call and have pizza delivered, this beautiful pie can be hot and on the table. Convenience ingredients like packaged salsa, frozen thawed spinach, canned black beans, and a store bought pizza crust help you take timesaving shortcuts, but the flavor is pizza parlor good.

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