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15 Easy Recipes You Can Make With Beans

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I got awesomely bombed with emails after posting last week's Chile Verde Rice and Beans.  I didn't know there were so many bean lovers out there and it's good to hear from you!

So I put together this list of all-star Bean recipes that appear most often in my kitchen. 

Mexican cuisine provides ample opportunity to get creative with beans and these 15 recipes are a great way to add some crave-worthy vegetarian dishes to your arsenal.  I hope you find some keepers in this list!

15 Mexican Bean Recipes

Keep in mind that most of the bean varieties are interchangeable in Mexican dishes.  

You'll frequently see me use Black beans, but Pinto or Peruano are equally good choices for these recipes.  More info on Peruano beans.

Photo showing Black, Pinto, and Peruano beans

And while it's super easy to make a batch of home-cooked beans, I'll be the first to admit that I don't use home-cookers in all of these recipes!

We're adding TONS of flavor to the beans in most of these dishes, and when doing that you can easily get away with canned beans. 

So feel free to go canned if your stomach is making the rules on a rushed weeknight.   Then when you have more time you can make a home-cooked batch and decide if the labor is worth the flavor.  

Okay, here are the recipes...

Click the recipe name and it will take you to a page with full instructions. 

Killer Refried Beans

This is the most important recipe in the list!  Once you add these Refried Beans to your arsenal then you get instant access to lots of quick meals. 
 
Infusing your beans with chipotle is the key -- this gives them incredible flavor and will keep you coming back for more.  I usually keep some of these in the fridge as they lead to so many easy and satisfying meals. 
 
This is a delicious, fiery version of Chicken Tinga. The key is to use both tomatoes and tomatillos, along with plenty of chipotles! mexicanplease.com
 
 

Spicy Bean and Egg Burritos

Exhibit A!  Once you've got some Refried Beans in the house you can easily whip up these Spicy Bean and Egg Burritos.  This recipe makes 8 mini-sized burritos that I put on standby in the freezer for some quick, no-thinking-involved meals.
 
Taking a bite of the breakfast burrito
 

Easy Mexican Bean Soup

This is my go-to recipe for Mexican Bean Soup.  It uses simple, healthy ingredients, and when made with good stock it is wonderfully satisfying.  I used black beans, but the recipe will work equally well with Pintos or Peruanos. 
 
Bean soup topped with Mexican Crema, cilantro stems, and a squeeze of lime
 

Enfrijoladas

Corn tortillas drenched in a chipotle-infused black bean puree?  I’m in!

Enfrijoladas are wildly versatile and once you get familiar with them you’ll find all sorts of ways to customize them to your liking.  I topped this batch with avocado bits, cilantro, and Crema. 

enfrijoladas recipe after baking with garnishes on plate

 

Spicy Black Bean Nachos

Even though these Nachos are topped with all sorts of goodies, it’s the black bean puree that turns them into a keeper for me.   You really don't need much beyond the beans and the cheese so feel free to keep it simple!
 
Expert Nacho advice:  I usually make single layer batches so the chips stay crispy — the double or triple layer batches will turn into a soggy mess before you can finish eating them.
 
It's tough to beat the combo of warm tortilla chips, melted cheese, and spicy black beans. In other words, NACHOS!! These beans have some kick built into them from chipotles in adobo and they are beyond delicious. mexicanplease.com
 

Molletes

You probably already have all the ingredients you need for Molletes.  These are open faced bean and cheese sandwiches that can be made in a matter of minutes.  Try them with some freshly made Pico de Gallo -- so good!
 
You probably already have all the ingredients you need for these Molletes (Mexican Bean and Cheese Sandwiches). Try them with some freshly made Pico de Gallo -- so good! mexicanplease.com
 

Chipotle and Cheese Bean Dip

Ahh bean dip, the great peacemaker.  This is a cheesy, chipotle-infused concoction that usually sells out quick.   I’m a big fan of Mexican oregano in this bean dip, but you’ll still get a good result if you don’t have any on hand.
 
Serve up this Chipotle and Cheese Bean Dip straight from the oven and you'll make some friends for life! Don't forget to add some salsa or roasted tomatoes, it makes a huge difference. So good! mexicanplease.com
 
 

Charro Beans

These are some of the most rewarding frijoles you’ll ever taste  — that’s the power of bacon!  I will sometimes even puree these beans and spread them on corn tortillas for quick meals — it’s a real treat to open up the fridge and remember you’ve got leftover Charro Bean puree 🙂
 
Charro Beans! You won't find a heartier, more delicious batch of beans anywhere in Mexico. This version uses bacon and chipotles but feel free to add in some chorizo if you have it. So good! mexicanplease.com
 
 

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

This versatile Black Bean and Corn Salsa will have you dreaming up all sorts of ways to consume it.  Lately I use it for taco salads -- simply add some chopped romaine and dinner is served.  Don't forget a final squeeze of lime as a burst of acidity really makes it come alive.
 
This wildly versatile Black Bean and Corn Salsa will have you dreaming up all sorts of ways to use it: tacos, salads, even wraps! I think it tastes best when the lime flavor is at the forefront so feel to add another squeeze! mexicanplease.com
 
 

Black Bean and Guacamole Tostadas

Serious reward to effort ratio in these tostadas!  We're crisping a corn tortilla and loading it up with spicy black bean puree and a refreshing guacamole.  So easy and satisfying! 
 
Serious reward to effort ratio here! We're crisping a corn tortilla and loading it up with spicy black bean puree and a refreshing guacamole. So good! mexicanplease.com
 
 

Frijoles de Olla -- Pot Beans

This is the original recipe if you'd like to make some Pot Beans from scratch.  Cooking the beans with onion and lard is the traditional method.  Yes, lard!  Be sure to taste test for salt level at the end as they really come alive when properly seasoned. 
 
Mexican Pot Beans Frijoles de Olla mexicanplease.com
 

Mango Black Bean Salsa

Black beans with mango?  Yes!  This is a wildly satisfying combo and a great change of pace for your kitchen.  I served this batch on crispy tostada shells along with a dusting of chile powder, but feel free to get creative with the serving style. 
 
This Mango Black Bean Salsa has been a refreshing change of pace for my kitchen lately. I served it on crispy tostada shells along with a dusting of chile powder and it was delicious!
 
 

Spicy Black Bean Pizza

Wait a sec...pizza?!  This is a crispy, thin crust pizza that relies on your familiar black bean puree and a thin layer of garlic oil to create a vegetarian delight.  Yes, pizza 🙂
 
A crispy, thin crust pizza that relies on a delicious black bean puree and a thin layer of garlic oil to create a vegetarian delight. So good! mexicanplease.com
 

Sopa Tarasca -- Pinto Bean Soup

I think this Pinto Bean Soup is one of the best recipes on the site, but of course I might be biased 🙂  You’ll get quite an upgrade in flavor when using some good stock so please keep that in mind when making this soup.
 
Sopa Tarasca is one of Mexico's most popular soups -- a delightfully satiating pinto bean soup that will keep you coming back for more. So good! mexicanplease.com
 

Chile Verde Rice and Beans

And don't forget the Chile Verde Rice and Beans from last week!  The Chile Verde sauce is exploding with flavor and will pair well with plain ol' rice and beans. 
 
Keep some Chile Verde sauce in the fridge and you can whip up these Rice and Bean bowls in a matter of minutes. So good!!
 

Quick Bean Dip For Dinner

Update:   I've been making this impromptu Bean Dip for dinner over the past couple weeks.  You can easily serve it up next to some chips, but I dip crispy, cheesy corn tortillas in it and that turns it into a meal for me.  Keep this easy recipe in mind for weeknights when nothing sounds good -- it's fast, easy, and wildly satisfying.
 
Quick Bean Dipi served with crispy corn tortillas 
 
Okay, I hope you find some inspiration in this list! 
 
Be sure to try out Entry #1 -- the Killer Refried Beans -- as that will lead to all sorts of good things 🙂
 
Buen Provecho.
 
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sharon

    What size is "1 can beans"? I always cook my own so I need measurements.

    Reply

    • Patrick

      Hi Sharon, a typical can of beans (15 oz.) has just under 2 cups of cooked beans inside so that's the ratio I typically recommend. Cheers.

      Reply

  2. Pete Higgins

    Great collection of recipes yet again Patrick! Love your stuff and will always follow your inventive and yet simple to follow recipes.
    Right now though, I discovered Diana Kennedy and I am working through her exhaustive 50 year research and publication of recipes from the various regions in Mexico.
    Much love,
    Pete

    Reply

    • Patrick

      Hey thanks much Pete!

      Reply

  3. Patti Livengood

    I have made your refried beans recipe several times...the BEST!!
    Also, your Charros (I add chorizo), Black Bean Soup, Chipotle Cheese and Bean Dip, Black Bean and Corn Salsa. All wonderful.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Patrick

      Thanks Patti! So good to know you've already made a bunch of these recipes. Cheers.

      Reply

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