20-Minutes For The Best Canned Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)
Having canned food, especially canned beans, in the pantry can help you avoid a weekday dinner crunch! And while they can be a huge timesaver, they’re only sometimes the most delicious straight out of the can.
So, here’s a quick way to cook canned black beans with simple ingredients.
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Olga’s Notes
- Black beans are well known for being a great source of protein and fiber, making them an even better option for dinner.
- Turn bland canned beans around with the right herbs and spices in 20 minutes.
- It’s satisfying and a budget-friendly dinner.
How To Pick The Best Canned Beans
There are a couple of things to look for when shopping for canned beans. First, you want to ensure you have at most three ingredients, preferably two.
Beans and salt.
Secondly, I’d recommend canned organic black beans if available. Supermarkets like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and other local supermarkets have excellent options for under $2.00 per canned food.
If you’re not sure if you should try black beans vs kidney beans? In this post, I break down the difference between the two: What’s the Difference? Black Beans vs Kidney Beans.
And if you’re obsessed with beans, have you tried lentils? I love lentejas; try this delicious sopa de lentejas with plantains (lentil soup). It’s so easy and absolutely delicious.
The Best Ingredients For The Tastiest Cooked Black Beans
- Canned organic black beans
- Sofrito
- Organic cherry bombs, Campari tomatoes, or tomato paste – these are the sweetest and tastiest tomatoes with a hint of acidity – you can also opt for 2 tbsp of canned tomato sauce
- Sweet onion or green onions
- Ground cumin
- Onion Salt
- Fresh garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Salt
- Avocado oil
- Vegetable or chicken stock – or filtered water
Equipment Needed For A Quick Recipe
- Small Dutch Oven
- Wooden Cutting Board
- Paring Knife or Chef Knife
- Wooden Spoon
Top Tips
- The liquid in the can makes the beans mushy, so it’s better to drain the liquid and add fresh stock.
- Organic black beans tend to have fewer preservatives than regular canned beans.
- Regular beans, cooked with salt, are the easiest to season and make your own.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Drain the beans.
- Dice the tomatoes and onions and sauté them in avocado oil on medium heat. Add the spices and salt. Cook them until the onions are translucent and lightly golden brown.
- Then add the liquid and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes. Optional, use a hand blender to blend the onions and tomato mixture before adding the beans.
- Then, add the drained beans to the pot, allow the beans to absorb the flavors, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
- Clean and rinse fresh parsley or cilantro, and give it a fine chop.
- Serve the black beans with rice, and top it off with fresh herbs.
See Below for Detailed Instructions
What To Serve With Cooked Black Beans?
Black beans are so good with white rice and sweet plantains (maduros). They’re a match made in kitchen heaven.
They’re also good with ribs, like these no-marinate ribs, which are so simple to make.
If you want a quick air fryer recipe, try this air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Here are some other recipes that go well with black beans:
Patacones, air fryer yuca fries, and these crispy air fryer plantain chips.
What Should I Do With Leftover Cooked Black Beans?
Store leftover canned beans in an airtight container, preferably a glass container. You can store it in the fridge for up to 48 hours.
FAQs
Can I Store black beans in the freezer?
Absolutely, you can store black beans and white rice in the freezer. Store it in an airtight container before storing it in the freezer for up to a month.
What Does Black Bean Taste Like?
Black beans have a nutty, earthy flavor. Unlike kidney beans, black beans are less mushy and retain their bite even after cooking.
How To Make The Best Canned Black Beans
Equipment
- 1 Small Dutch Oven
- 1 Wooden Cutting Board
- 1 Paring Knife
- 1 Wooden Spoon
Ingredients
- 1 Canned Organic Black Beans
- 1 tbsp Sofrito
- 8 Small Tomatoes Cherry bombs, 2 Campari Tomatoes, or tsp of tomato paste
- ¼ Onion White, sweet or red
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 clove Fresh Garlic
- ¼ tsp Onion Salt
- ⅙ tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Avocado Oil
Garnish
- 1 handful Fresh Parsley or Cilantro
Instructions
- Step OneDrain the beans and set aside.Dice the tomatoes and onions and sauté them in avocado oil for 5-7 min on medium heat.Add the spices, salt, and finely diced or grated garlic. Cook them for 2 minutes until the onions are translucent and golden brown.
- Step TwoThen add the liquid and cook on medium heat for 2 minutes. Optional, use a hand blender to blend the onions and tomato mixture before adding the beans.Then add the drained beans to the pot, allow the beans to absorb the flavors, and cook for 5-10 minutes.
- Step ThreeRinse and clean fresh parsley, and give it a fine chop.Serve the black beans with rice and freshly chopped herbs.
Video
Notes
Top Tips
- The liquid in the can makes the beans mushy, so it’s better to drain the liquid and add fresh stock.
- Organic black beans tend to have fewer preservatives than regular canned beans.
- Regular beans, cooked with salt, are the easiest to season and make your own.
