16 Delicious Recipes Featuring Beans & Lentils (2024)

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Honestly, I can’t look at the title of this post without hearing my little brothers sing that silly song about beans. We didn’t grow up eating beans. The funny thing is, though, that after I stopped eating meat after college, I naturally started craving them. I quickly discovered that beans are hearty, satisfying, rich in protein and fiber, and gloriously inexpensive. Now that I’ve gotten on the bean bandwagon, my family has, too. Victory!

The United Nations has declared 2016 the International Year of Pulses (pulses are dried legumes like beans, chickpeas and lentils), so you’ll be hearing a lot more about beans over the coming months. I’ve teamed up with the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council to bring you more recipes with pulses this year. Let’s kick it off with some of my favorite recipes!

Below, you’ll find a wide variety of hearty meals with Mexican, Mediterranean and Italian influences. These are all recipes that will help you meet those healthy New Years resolutions, and they just might change your family’s opinion on meatless meals, too.

For more information about the benefits of pulses and to join me in signing their Pulse Pledge (which is committing to eat one serving of pulses every week), visit PulsePledge.com.

1) Crispy Baked Falafel

Gluten free and vegan

“Another fabulous recipe! Loved everything, great flavor .. baked the falafel on a pan but am totally going to steal a friend’s cast iron next time to try that out. I think the dressing would also be lovely with other salads, or maybe lentils + some raw veggies. Thanks!” – Brittney

2) Lemony Lentil and Chickpea Salad with Radish and Herbs

Gluten free and easily vegan

“I LOVE this salad. I’ve been making it with dill only and serving with arugula. I make a batch and take to work for lunch. Got some family hooked on it too. It’s so fresh!” – Sarah

3) Lebanese Lemon-Parsley Bean Salad

Gluten free and vegan

4) Green Goddess Hummus

Gluten free and vegan

“My grocery store didn’t have tarragon so I used basil instead. Soooooo good! Thanks for the recipe.” – Nes

5) Socca Pizza with Summer Squash and Feta

Gluten free, vegan option

“This was excellent and so easy! I’ve made it twice so far with different toppings. So good.” – Heather

6) Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Tacos with Creamy Chipotle Sauce

Gluten-free option, vegan option

“Kate, I have to admit that when I first saw this I was bit scared to make it. Of course, based on how delicious your other recipes are, I should have known better. Well, no need to fear….this is soooo delicious!!!! Another winner for sure, even my nonvegan family loved this.” – Tanya

7)

Gluten-free option, vegan option

“I made this with Christmas dinner and wow this was certainly my signature dish! It was scrumptious and so pretty. I was so intrigued by it, I had to make it and so glad I did!” – Leslie

8) Spiced Vegan Lentil Soup

Gluten free and vegan

“After eating your soup, I just told my husband that I will be making it all my life until I die or someone will need to cook it for me if I can’t. It’s simply the most amazing soup I was ever given the chance to enjoy. The flavour made me so happy. I strongly recommend this soup to anyone. Thank you so much Kate for sharing all of this goodness. Good vibs to you!” – Caroline

9) Spaghetti Squash Burrito Bowls

Gluten free and vegan

“Made this recipe for my brother’s birthday dinner and everyone loved it, including my 9 and 3 year old, who will eat any and every vegetable now, thanks to your blog. It’s amazing how kids can learn to appreciate all kinds of vegetables. Your recipes really help with that, I believe. Thanks, Kate!” – Lisa

10) Roasted Broccoli, Arugula and Lentil Salad

Gluten free, vegan option

“Made this last night and it was amazing! I might omit the brussel sprouts and exclusively use broccoli (personal preference). Thanks for the great recipe!” – Stacey

11) Lentil and Mushroom Meatballs

Gluten-free option, vegan option

“Hi Kate! I have made these several times now and they are always great. One time i switched the mushrooms for beets and it was pretty tasty. This time I decided to try a different bean so I went with navy beans; and instead of mushrooms I used fennel. It is delicious! Thank you so much for putting this stuff into the world.” – Sofia

12) Homemade Vegetarian Chili

Gluten free and vegan

“This is honestly the best veggie chili I’ve ever had! I made it today, and have plenty left to freeze for future yumminess. I didn’t blend any of it, just left it in its whole gorgeousness. Served it with some rice. Christmas day – who needs turkey!” – Liz

13) Kale, Black Bean and Avocado Burrito Bowl

Gluten free and vegan

“I’m not vegan but this is delicious. I used leftover beans and it turned out great. My aunt (who is vegan) has asked me make it two nights in a row. Thanks for the recipe it was the only one I found that I had all the ingredients in hand.” – Emma

14) Spicy Vegan Black Bean Soup

Gluten free and vegan

“This was wonderful! It has great flavor and I followed everything exactly as written. Used lime juice instead of vinegar. Yummy!!!!” – Pixie

15) Cowboy Caviar

Gluten free and vegan

“Hi, my name is Katie and I’m 10. I like the recipe a lot.” – Katie S. :)

16) Butternut Squash Chipotle Chili with Avocado

Gluten free (just be sure your tortillas are gluten free) and vegan

“WOW was this delicious! I just happened to come across it while looking for a butternut squash soup recipe. SO happy I made this instead. I fed it to meat eaters and vegetarians alike during a football party. I served it with a dollop of plain yogurt on top. Literally everyone asked me for the recipe Thanks for sharing – this is going in my favorite recipes file!” – Ellis

More resources you might appreciate: 13 healthy make-ahead breakfast recipes, 16 recipes that pack well for lunch and 20 simple weeknight dinners. You might also like my monthly seasonal produce guides and healthy kitchen essentials. View all roundups and resource posts here.

This post was created in partnership with the USA Dried Peas and Lentils Council. Opinions are my own, always. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who support C+K!

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16 Delicious Recipes Featuring Beans & Lentils (2024)

FAQs

What cooks faster lentils or beans? ›

lentils cook more quickly than any other dried bean, and I can take them in many different directions. With more stock and some leafy greens, they turn into lentil soup; with lots of finely chopped vegetables and some spices, they're a great side.

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What are beans and lentils called? ›

“Beans, peas, and lentils” is a new name for the vegetable subgroup formerly called “legumes (beans and peas).” Beans, peas, and lentils, which also are known as pulses, include the dried edible seeds of legumes. The foods in this vegetable subgroup have not changed.

What tastes good with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

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Is it OK to eat beans and lentils everyday? ›

Eating half a cup of cooked lentils gives you lots of essential nutrients and their high fiber content makes you feel full. However, the fiber in lentils can be hard for your body to break down. Eating too many lentils can cause gas, bloating, and cramping.

Get More Info Here ›

Are lentils harder to digest than beans? ›

Smaller beans like adzuki, lentils, mung beans and peas digest more easily. Pinto, kidney, navy, black-eyed peas, garbanzo, lima, and black beans are harder to digest and should be eaten only occasionally. Soybeans and black soybeans are the most difficult beans to digest.

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What are the best tasting lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

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Are canned or dried lentils better? ›

While canned are good for ready-to-eat uses such as a quick salad or side dish, the dried version works well for soups and stews, salads, and sides. A bag of dried lentils can really last forever, but they are best used within a year of purchase (or by the date printed on the package).

Get More Info ›

Why are my lentils still hard after cooking? ›

Keep them moist.

If you don't want dry, hard lentils, make sure to keep a little liquid in the pot! You can always add a little more if the water is evaporating faster than they cook.

Read On ›

What is the healthiest bean to eat? ›

The 7 Healthiest Beans to Eat, According to Dietitians

Lentils. Lentils are rich in polyphenols, plant-based compounds that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. ...
White Beans. ...
Black Beans. ...
Chickpeas. ...
Pinto Beans. ...
Red Kidney Beans. ...
Lupini Beans.

Aug 14, 2023

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Which beans are not legumes? ›

In other words: all beans are legumes, but all legumes aren't necessarily beans. This explains, for instance, why green beans aren't actually beans in the technical sense. Because the fruit of the green bean plant is in a pod, green beans are actually just legumes, not beans.

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Which bean has the highest protein? ›

Some legumes with the highest protein content per 100 g serving include :

field peas (26 g)
cowpeas (24 g)
common beans (24 g)
mung beans (23 g)
pigeon peas (22 g)
chickpeas (21 g)
soybeans (13 g)

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What meat to pair with lentils? ›

But if meat is still on the table for you, pair lentils with fats like duck and pork (think bacon) to add a bit of richness to this mild-flavored legume. Whether you're trying a meatless meal or making a hearty stew, lentils are a go-to pantry staple that deserve to come out of the pantry to shine this winter.

What makes lentils taste better? ›

If you don't have stock on hand, add onion, carrots, celery, garlic cloves and/or herbs to the pot. All of these are mild flavors that can jump in any direction depending on how you're going to use the cooked lentils.

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What to pair with lentils for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

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How can I get more beans and legumes in my diet? ›

Meal ideas

Add a cup of lentils or split peas to soups or casseroles.
Replace half or all of your mince with lentils or mashed kidney beans in pasta sauces or hamburger patties.
For a Mexican taco sauce, use refried beans or kidney beans instead of minced meat.
Use marinated firm tofu in vegetable kebabs and stir-frys.

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