Kid-Friendly Black Bean Meal Ideas

Black beans and really any beans are kind of boring by themselves. In fact, without any seasoning, they can be just pushed around the plate by the average kid. Mix them up with some super tasty seasonings and serve them in a new manner….. well, I make no guarantee your kids will eat them, but they turn into a super versatile ingredient!

So, today I am sharing with you some of the fun ways you can incorporate black beans in your meal planning. I prefer to use the canned kind but just make sure to drain and rinse well before using.

You can easily make these with dry beans as well. Of course you will want to cook them first. Go ahead and cook a whole bag of black beans because they freeze really well. All you need to do is pop them in the fridge to defrost when you need them. (Keep in mind that one 15oz can of black beans is a little less than 2 cups of cooked beans)

My Favorite Ways to Use Black Beans

1. Black Bean Stuffed Pepper

A great way to use up leftover rice and you can even use chopped bell peppers instead of whole to make an “unstuffed” version!

2. Black Bean Salad

This is a super nice summer style salad or I like to serve it next to burritos, enchiladas, or tacos!

3. Black Bean Burgers

This is a great veggie burger alternative without meat, you can actually mix the beans with your favorite ground meat to make more burgers with less meat!

4. Black Bean Chili

I love chili and I love Mexican soups, so this is the perfect blend of both!

5. Black Bean Hummus

I love hummus but it can get boring, so try mixing it up with black beans instead of chickpeas!

6. Black Bean Buddha Bowl

Now I have a huge love for Rice Bowls, but you can actually make Buddha bowls with any grain you like. Try out some couscous, quinoa, or any grain you like.

7. Southwest Salad

Salads are another favorite of mine, so obviously we have to have a salad with black beans!

8. Black Bean Brownies

Before you think I am totally crazy, you cannot taste the black beans at all! You puree them in a food processor with a little water first, so really you can’t even “see” them.

What to cook with canned Black Beans?

Black beans are a cheap and easy protein that you can add to any meal. They are also shelf stable, so they are definitely a great pantry item to have on hand.

I hope these black bean dinner ideas have inspired you to add a can of black beans to your weekly meal plan!