Vegetarian Recipes with Beans and Lentils

Beans and lentils are important sources of vegetarian protein. Lucky for us, they are also versatile and taste great! Take a look at this list of different ways to enjoy beans and lentils in soups, salads, veggie burgers, and more.

Bean and Olive Soup
White beans and black olives combine with various herbs and veggies to make a hearty soup.

Bean Burritos
You can either make these burritos yourself or put the ingredients on the table and let everyone build their own.

Bean Salad with Walnuts and Feta
When you cook your own beans, they are one of the healthiest things out there, and they are delicious with just a pinch of salt. They are also wonderful paired with feta and toasted walnuts, as in this simple bean salad.

Black Bean Burgers
These black bean veggie burgers from Jamaica are spicy and delicious.

Black Bean Dip
A spicy black bean paste that works great as a dip, in burritos, or on nachos.

Black Bean Soup
This spicy, garlicky black bean soup is hearty enough to stick to your ribs!

Black Bean Zucchini Quesadillas
Black beans, zucchini, and a bit of cheese folded into tortillas - this may be the best quesadilla you've ever tasted.

Black-Eyed Pea and Quinoa Croquettes
Crunchy croquettes made from black-eyed peas and quinoa are packed with vegetarian protein.

Cashew Chili
Cashew chili is easy, delicious, filling, and vegetarian. What more can you ask for? :-)

Chickpea Burgers
Mashed and pan-fried chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, make a delicious veggie burger.

Chickpea Mock Tuna Salad
A vegetarian "tuna" salad made with chickpeas, almonds, and seeds. Tuna fish was the very last meat that I gave up, and while this doesn't taste exactly like tuna salad, it's close enough that I don't miss the real thing any more.

Chickpea Salad
Warm chickpea salad with artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes - a real treat.

Chili
Here's a very easy vegetarian chili recipe - just open some cans, chop a few veggies, and leave it on the stove for a couple of hours.

Curry Burgers
Carrots, chickpeas, mushrooms, onions, and walnuts are mixed with curry for a uniquely spicy veggie burger. Delicious!

Dal
Dal is the Indian term for lentils, and in cooking refers to any of the many Indian dishes made with lentils. There are many variations ranging from simple to complex. This recipe is on the easy side.

Felafel
Felafel are crunchy chick pea nuggets from Lebanon that make a delicious and very healthy sandwich.

Gallo Pinto
Gallo pinto, literally "spotted rooster," is ubiquitous in Costa Rica (and apparently all of Central America). It refers to black beans and rice cooked together, which are served at every meal, surrounded by various side dishes. It's easy to make and very healthy.

Greek Lasagna
A light, vegan lasagna made with artichokes, eggplant, and lemons.

Hemp Hummus
Hummus is a delicious dip from the Middle East. A bit of hemp oil makes it even more nutritious and delicious.

Herby Chickpea Dip
This is a unique, tangy chickpea dip. It's worth seeking out umeboshi plum paste just for this recipe, which you'll want to make over and over.

Hoppin' John
This New Orleans' inspired variation on Hoppin' John includes the traditional black-eyed peas for luck, as well as rice and tomatoes. The cooking time might seem long, but most of it is unattended.

Hummus - Chick Pea Dip
An Eastern Mediterranean dip, very common in Greece and Lebanon as well as a number of other countries. A heavenly blend of chick peas, garlic...

Israeli Couscous Salad
A mix of Israeli couscous, lentils, bell peppers, dates, and mint makes a subtle, refreshing salad.

Jambalaya
This traditional stew from New Orleans is meat-based, but this vegetarian version leaves nothing to be desired.

Kosherie
Kosherie is an Egyptian dish of spicy lentils, rice, pasta, and fried onions.

Lentil Feta Walnut Salad
An easy recipe for a delicious and protein-packed salad.

Lentil Salad
Like all beans and legumes, lentils are an excellent source of protein. Unlike the others, lentils do not need to be soaked before cooking. For an easy, healthy, quick meal, try this lentil salad recipe with onions and rosemary.

Lentil Soup
A simple soup recipe is the best way to enjoy the great taste of lentils.

Mexican Veggie Burgers
Black beans and cilantro give this veggie burger recipe a definite south-of-the-border flair.

Minestrone Soup
This classic Italian soup is always vegan, as long as you leave off the parmesan cheese.

Moroccan Chickpea Soup
Chickpeas and red pepper coulis make a fresh and flavorful soup.

Protein Burgers
These terrific veggie burgers are packed with four sources of protein and lots of flavor.

Red Bean Veggie Burgers
Red beans and squash make these veggie burgers from Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula unique.

Red Lentil Soup
Red lentils turn into golden mush when cooked, but they taste divine, especially in simple recipes like this red lentil soup from Syria. Just a few ingredients bring out all the flavor you need for a hearty and delicious vegetarian / vegan soup.

Refried Beans
This vegetarian version of refried pinto beans is tastier and healthier than traditional ones, which are cooked in lard. Refried black beans are yummy too!

Salade niçoise
Chickpeas or tofu can be used in place of the traditional tuna fish or anchovies for this vegetarian salade niçoise recipe.

Sambar
This is a recipe for sambar, probably the most universal dish of South India. It has been adapted for the cooler climate of Monterey Bay.

Tomato Lentil Soup
This hearty, herby soup is delicious fresh, and even better made ahead of time.

Tostadas
Tostadas are kind of like the Mexican equivalent of pizza, with beans, cheese, and guacamole piled on top of a tortilla crust.

Tunisian Chickpea Soup
Chickpeas are a staple of North Africa, and this chickpea soup recipe is a great way to enjoy them.

Tuscan Bean Dip
This elegant bean dip is known as fagioli in fiasco, or beans in a bottle. Traditionally made in Tuscany in a Chianti bottle cooked in embers in a brick oven, this modern version is creamy and delicious.

Veggie Burgers
These vegetarian/vegan burgers, made with lentils, are healthy, low-fat, and delicious.

White Bean and Tomato Soup
This white bean and tomato soup flavored with sage and thyme is an elegant alternative to minestrone soup.

White Bean Salad
This is a simple and delicious recipe, perfect for a summer picnic.

Winter White Bean Salad
I served this warm white bean salad at a dinner party and more than half the guests wanted the recipe. It is absolutely delicious and very easy to make.

Related:

How to Soak and Cook Beans and Legumes
Beans and legumes are an excellent source of protein and a staple of many vegetarian diets. The drawback is that they take a long time to prepare, but once you know the techniques, you'll find it's not difficult at all.

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