Beans and lentils recipes
Beans and lentils are inexpensive, filling and pantry-friendly, which makes them perfect for quick meals. This page collects bean tacos, chickpea curries, lentil soups and salads, white bean skillets, hummus and black bean bowls. Every recipe takes 20 minutes or less, mostly thanks to canned beans and fast-cooking red lentils.
33 recipes, quickest first.
5 minFive-minute hummus
10 minSmashed chickpea sandwiches
10 minTuna and white bean salad
11 minGarlic chili edamame
12 minSpiderweb taco dip
14 minCrispy halloumi, chickpea and tomato salad
15 minBlack bean breakfast burritos
15 minBlack bean tacos with quick pickled onion
15 minCampfire skillet nachos
15 minLoaded sheet pan nachos
15 minSeven-layer dip
16 minBlack bean and corn quesadillas
17 minEspinacas con garbanzos
17 minMiso-glazed eggplant with rice
17 minPan-fried crispy spiced chickpeas
17 minSalmon with lemon butter beans
18 minCopycatCopycat Chipotle burrito bowls
18 minCowboy caviar
18 minCrispy black bean burgers
18 minSesame soba noodle salad
19 minBacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dogs
19 minBeef and bean burritos
19 minChorizo and butter bean stew
19 minCopycatCopycat Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
19 minHuevos rancheros
19 minTeriyaki tofu rice bowls
20 minChana masala
20 minChicken tortilla soup
20 minChickpea, spinach and coconut curry
20 minCopycatCopycat Wendy's chili
20 minJack-o'-lantern quesadillas
20 minRed lentil dal
20 minTurkey taco skillet
Stock a few cans of chickpeas, black beans, cannellini and kidney beans, plus a bag of red lentils, and you will always have dinner within reach. The recipe tips explain when to rinse canned beans, how to swap one bean for another, and how to give beans more flavor with garlic, spices, acid and fresh herbs.
Common questions
Should I rinse canned beans?
Usually, yes. Draining and rinsing canned beans removes some of the sodium and the starchy liquid, which can make dishes taste muddy. Keep the liquid if a recipe uses it to thicken a sauce, or save chickpea liquid (aquafaba) as an egg substitute in vegan baking. Low-sodium canned beans are another option.
Which lentils cook the fastest?
Red and yellow split lentils cook fastest, in about 12 to 15 minutes, and break down into a soft, creamy texture that suits dal and soups. Brown and green lentils take 20 to 30 minutes and keep their shape. French green and black lentils hold up best in salads. Canned lentils are ready instantly.
Are beans and lentils a good source of protein?
Yes. Beans and lentils provide plant protein along with fiber, iron, folate and other nutrients. A cup of cooked lentils contains about 18 grams of protein. Pairing them with grains like rice or bread over the course of a day helps provide a full range of amino acids.
How can I make beans less gassy?
Rinsing canned beans helps, and increasing how often you eat them gradually lets your digestion adjust. Cooking dried beans with kombu or adding spices like cumin, ginger and fennel is traditional in many cuisines. Lentils, especially split red lentils, tend to be easier to digest than larger beans.