Having a food emergency or just don’t feel like cooking/soaking legumes? Make these super flavorful and easy vegan recipes with canned beans, lentils and chickpeas.
To find more affordable vegan meals, see our cheap vegan meals, vegan banana bread recipes, vegan mug cake recipes, vegan meal prep and vegan air fryer recipes roundups.
Vegan Canned Food Recipes
Beans
1. Smoky Beans on Toast
English breakfast, anyone? Beans on toast takes just minutes to assemble and offers a healthy source of protein to kickstart your day.
2. Tuscan White Bean Skillet
This dish is a colorful combination of brightly colored veggies like spinach, artichoke hearts, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Tuscan inspired meal you can serve for either lunch or dinner.
3. Three Bean Chili
Pair this vegan chili, which utilizes three different types of beans, with some cornbread for a relaxing family dinner (especially on a cold night in).
4. BBQ Black Bean Meatballs
Good BBQ focuses on the spices and that finger-licking smokey sauce — and that’s exactly what you’ll get with these BBQ black bean balls, minus the meat of course.
5. White Bean Arugula Pasta
This pasta dish is comforting, utilizes zesty flavors and ingredients such as lemon and arugula. Side note, this dish is so quick you can whip it up in under 20 minutes.
6. Mexican Bean Salad
For a southwest inspired flavor you can enjoy every day, consider making this completely balanced meal that uses ingredients such as sweet corn and creamy avocado.
7. Spanish Beans with Tomatoes
Try your hand at creating an impressive tapas menu for your next meal. This one-pot Spanish dish is smokey, flavorful, and goes great with toasted bread.
8. Taco Pizza
For a culture infused meal that brings together some of the best flavors from both sides of the border, bake this cornmeal crust pizza and top it off with yummy taco ingredients like crunchy lettuce and crushed taco shell bits.
9. White Bean Spread (Paté)
This will be your new favorite dip — but healthier. This vegan pate spread uses onions, garlic, white beans, and sun-dried tomatoes for a crave-worthy, umami flavor that will have your loved ones begging you to bring out more.
10. Smoky Bean Burger
How can you beef up your burger with absolutely no beef? This BBQ burger can impress even the most devout carnivore thanks to the fresh veggies and signature Jack Daniels BBQ sauce.
11. Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip
Salsa can get stale, so when you need to shake things up, consider a Mediterranean inspired dip that’s creamy, rich, and full of flavor. This roasted garlic and white bean dip tastes great on crackers and can even be spread on sandwiches.
Lentils
12. Lentil Loaf
For nights when you’re craving something hearty and warm for dinner, opt for a lentil loaf with a side of (vegan) butter mashed potatoes. This loaf is a great “meaty” substitute, as it packs a decent punch of protein.
13. Lentil Bolognese
A steaming bowl of spaghetti is always a good idea to make. However, this time around, this classic Italian dish gets a legume makeover, swapping out ground beef for tasty lentils instead.
14. Mediterranean Lentil Salad
If you’re trying to eat more veggies throughout the day, but hate the thought of packing a bland salad for lunch, give this Mediterranean lentil, cucumber, and tomato salad a try.
15. Mujadara
If you’re new to cooking, consider this Mujadara dish that is both budget-friendly and easy to make with ingredients you already have at home.
16. Shwarama Wraps
One of the best aspects of assembling a veggie wrap for lunch is that you can customize it to your liking. However, you’ll want to make this Shwarama wrap as is since it combines some of the richest and most exciting flavors on the globe.
17. Lentil Tuna
If you’re new to the meat-free lifestyle, you may find this faux-tuna recipe helpful while transitioning and beyond. It utilizes one of the most versatile foods in the world — lentils!
18. Spicy Quinoa Lentil Wraps
If you’d like your food to have more of a kick, consider adding this spicy quinoa wrap into your rotation. The chili paste packs a punch and the cabbage offers a nice crunch.
Chickpeas
19. Chickpea Noodle Soup
They say noodle soup is good for the soul. You can say the same thing about this chickpea chicken-less noodle soup. If you’re a fan of pasta, veggies and warm broth, you’ll love this variation.
20. Chickpea Meatloaf
Chickpea “meat”loaf will make for a wonderful meal especially around the holidays as it utilizes a comforting and festive maple glaze. Of course you can eat this wonderful loaf all year round!
21. Spiced Butter Chickpeas
For a night of Indian cuisine — minus the meat and cost of takeout — try this soul warming spiced butter chickpea dish over rice.
22. Chickpea “Tuna” Pasta Salad
Whip up this easy to prepare chickpea pasta salad for a truly effortless lunch or dinner for anyone, regardless of their dietary preferences, to enjoy.
23. Firecracker Chickpea Meatballs
Torn on what to prepare as an appealing appetizer? These spicy firecracker balls made from chickpeas can be served alone, in wraps, or in sandwiches.
24. Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Long gone are the days of tired old PB and J sandwiches. Instead, give these healthy and filling chickpea salad sandwiches, complete with roasted carrots and buttery avocado, a try.
25. Chickpea Spinach Curry
Power your body with nourishing plants such as chickpeas, spinach, and peppers. This chickpea curry combines all of these ingredients for a dinner that’s tasty, cheap, and nutritious.
26. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Looking for an easy to make salad that can help you kick start your healthy eating journey? This salad, in particular, is composed of beans and veggies for a meal that will actually keep you full for hours.
27. Buffalo Chickpea Sliders
These bite-sized buffalo sandwiches are topped high with a vegan basil aioli that will become your latest cooking obsession.
28. General Tso’s Chickpea Stir Fry
Love the thought of a stir-fry, but hate the texture of tofu? Swap the tofu out for another viable protein source — the ever-versatile chickpea!
29. Moroccan Chickpea Salad Wraps
These Moroccan wraps contain a vegan harissa sauce, green olives, pistachios for a nice crunch and apricots for a subtle tang of exciting sweetness.
What are your favorite vegan canned food recipes?
Let me know in the comments!
Super helpful, thanks!
Great ideas and thanks for sharing. Will give some of these recipes a go.