Rice and beans are a vegan staple. They are hearty, easy to make, and affordable! With the right combination of spices, rice and beans can be a powerhouse of flavor. Add in a veggie and you’ve got yourself a healthy and delicious meal. As a vegan, it’s great to keep rice and beans on hand because they’re versatile and store well. However, maybe you’re getting a little bored of rice and beans or just want to step up your game in the kitchen. If so, try out one of these rice and beans recipes. There’s everything from the classic bowl to burgers to soup! These recipes are amazing. With so many different ways to use rice and beans, there’s something for everyone!

We also highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App  — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help you get healthy! 

1. Spicy Black Bean Onigiri

Source: Spicy Black Bean Onigiri

These vegan Spicy Black Bean Onigiri by Anarki “AJ” Tjon Affo are fun to make and eat! Onigiri are a traditional Japanese food that consist of nori seaweed wrapped around sushi rice and a filling. They usually come with a salty or sour filling such as fish, seaweed or umeboshi, a pickled Japanese plum. Rather than those more traditional fillings, this recipe for vegan Onigiri uses a spicy black bean one that adds the perfect kick. They’re great for picnics or lunch on-the-go. While having a mold makes these easier to put together, you can do it by hand. While it’s not necessary, adding little faces on these vegan Onigiri makes them so much cuter!

2. Rice and Bean Burgers

Source: Rice and Bean Burgers

Were you searching for an IBS-friendly Veggie Burger? Well, you’ve come to the right place! These low FODMAP Rice and Bean Burgers by Stefani Weiss are vegan, loaded with nutritious ingredients and easy to digest. Plus, it’s so flavorful with meaty texture and consistency. Sometimes all you need is a nice big burger, right? But what if you are trying to eat healthier, you follow a vegan diet, and on top of that eat a low fodmap diet. Yep, satisfying that burger craving can become quite a challenge. These low fodmap veggie burgers are everything you could want in a burger. They have a great texture, are super tasty, and won’t wreak havoc on your digestive system. You can also grill them, which will enhance their already rich flavor. This is a real crowd-pleasing recipe, so satisfying and delicious, great for picnics and celebrations. It’s super simple. You only need one bowl and 10 simple ingredients for these low fodmap veggie burgers. How awesome!

3. Brown Lentil, Bean, and Rice Soup

Source: Brown Lentil, Bean, and Rice Soup

Made with Borlotti beans, brown lentils, brown Basmati rice, tomatoes and vegetables, this hearty soup is delicious. It’s a complete meal that gives you all the plant-based protein that you need.  After a bowl or two of this Brown Lentil, Bean, and Rice Soup by Julie Zimmer, you feel satisfied in a healthy way.

4. Beans and Rice

Source: Beans and Rice

If you’re looking for a simple and veggie-filled meal, try out this recipe for Beans and Rice by Nita Ragoonanan! Unlike other recipes, this one includes a variety of vegetables, and feel free to add the ones you like!

5. Spring Vegetable Paella

Source: Spring Vegetable Paella

Bursting with flavors and easy to make, this Spring Vegetable Paella by Annabelle Randles is the perfect dish to make when you are entertaining. Fragrant, saffron-infused paella rice is cooked with plenty of fresh garlic and a wealth of vegetables like asparagus, fava beans, and more. Healthy and hearty, you will not miss the meat or fish!

6. White Bean Gratin

Source: White Bean Gratin

A easy cashew-based béchamel works wonders, turning a load of vegetables and beans into a hearty, fulfilling, protein- and fiber-rich meal. This White Bean Gratin by Maya Sozer will be an instant family favorite. This recipe is reprinted with permission from Power Vegan Meals by Maya Sozer, Page Street Publishing Co. 2017. Photos by Maya Sozer.

7. Refried Bean Enchiladas

Source: Refried Bean Enchiladas

Just because you’re on a budget doesn’t mean that you have to skimp on flavor. These simple Refried Bean Enchiladas by Melanie Sorrentino are packed with refried beans (which you can make oil-free), tangy black olives, and green salsa, then covered with spicy sauce and baked until warm and bubbly. They’re served with a simple side of rice seasoned with cilantro and summer squash.

8. Spicy Chipotle Rice and Beans

Source: Spicy Chipotle Rice and Beans

If your diet consists of beans and rice, then you need to have this in your recipe book on hand at all times! It’s not just your typical beans and rice, but it adds LOADS of flavor for not that much more work. This recipe for Spicy Chipotle Rice and Beans by Kristen Genton will definitely jazz up your weekly beans and rice kick. It’s great on its own, but in tacos or burritos it would shine!

9. Pressure Cooker Bean Étouffée

Source: Pressure Cooker Bean Étouffée

If you are looking for an easy way to make a big batch of dinners, then this Pressure Cooker Bean Étouffée recipe by Robin Runner is for you! Étouffée is a Cajun and Creole dish that is traditionally shellfish in a tomato roux over rice. This vegan take on the dish uses beans as the protein and swaps out rice for quinoa for more protein!

10. Albónidigas: Black Bean Meatballs With Tomato Coconut Sauce

Source: Albónidigas: Black Bean Meatballs With Tomato Coconut Sauce

These black bean meatballs are full of umami flavor and protein! They are paired with a creamy sweet yet savory tomato and coconut milk based sauce that has a surprising crunch from cashews and carrots with bursts of sweetness from the raisins. Serve this recipe over a bed of rice or your grain of choice and you’ve got a showstopper on your hands. You have to try Yana Chistyakova‘s Albónidigas: Black Bean Meatballs With Tomato Coconut Sauce!

11. Nourishing Black Bean Burger With Thousand Island Dressing

Source: Nourishing Black Bean Burger With Thousand Island Dressing

It’s BBQ party season and this Nourishing Black Bean Burger With Thousand Island Dressing by Maria Koutsogiannis is the perfect addition to your next gathering. They will be the star of the show. They’re super delicious, nutritious, and easy to follow! Don’t skip out on the homemade Thousand Island sauce because it really makes this burger.

12. Kidney Bean and Lentil Curry

Source: Kidney Bean and Lentil Curry

Need some comfort food? Try this aromatic Kidney Bean and Lentil Curry by Maria Koutsogiannis! It is packed with flavor from the beautiful onion and garlic. Then, it packs punch from the beautiful spices like sweet curry, cumin, and smoked paprika.This hearty curry is perfect for that cold night where you are craving something healthy, but comforting.

13. Tempting Tempeh, Beans, and Rice Burritos

Source: Tempting Tempeh, Beans, and Rice Burritos

Missing meat? These Tempting Tempeh, Beans, and Rice Burritos by Mireille Aikman are sure to satisfy your craving! Tempeh is crumbled and then cooked in a savory, spiced tomato sauce and then wrapped up with beans, fragrant Basmati rice, and melty vegan cheese. These burritos are perfect for a weekday lunch or dinner.

14. Pumpkin Chili With Wild Rice

Source: Pumpkin Chili With Wild Rice

This vegan Pumpkin Chili With Wild Rice by Gina Fontana can be made in just 30 minutes but has such developed flavors that you’d think it had been simmering for hours. You could easily eat this on its own but serving it over wild rice and adding blanched kale leaves really takes this dish to the next level. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and you’ll be counting down the meals until when you can have this again. The secret ingredient (cinnamon!) really enhances the flavor and kicks up the fall vibes.

15. Spicy Sofritas Black Bean Bowls

Source: Spicy Sofritas Black Bean Bowls

These Spicy Sofritas Black Bean Bowls by Rene Barker are healthy, simple and super delicious. Perfect for meal prepping or busy weeknights! A combination of chipotle peppers in adobo, salsa, onion, and garlic are blended up to make this yummy sauce. It is then mixed in with crumbled tofu and black beans. Serve it up with some rice (or quinoa) and fresh avocado and you have the perfect meal.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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