Seasoned Black Beans

Name: Seasoned Black Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic (crushed); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 2 15 ounce cans black beans (drained and rinsed); 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce; 1/4 cup vegetable broth (or water); 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)

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Take your canned beans to the next level with this simple Seasoned Black Beans recipe! These flavorful tender beans are great as a side or for adding to Mexican dishes like burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and salads.

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy side for your next Mexican meal, make these Seasoned Black Beans! We love making these with Baked Chicken Taquitos, Salsa Chicken Tacos, and Cafe Rio Sweet Pork.

Beans are a great staple to always have on hand. You can enjoy them straight from the can or dress them up a bit for extra deliciousness. All you need are a few simple ingredients.

A large bowl of beans, a can of tomato sauce, a small bowl of chopped onions, cloves of garlic, fresh cilantro, and measuring spoons of spices laying on a marble surface.

INGREDIENTS:

Black Beans– Be sure to drain and rinse off all the starch. I like to use a mesh strainer and turn my faucet on spray mode.
Olive Oil– Just a little of any oil will work. It’s needed to cook the onions until tender.
Onions– Pretty much the foundation of anything good. I like to use sweet or yellow.
Garlic– Fresh is best but you can substitute with garlic powder or minced (see below).
Cumin– Such a delicious spice used often in Latin American, Indian, and North African cuisines.
Tomato Sauce– This helps create the sauce for the beans.
Vegetables Broth– This adds a greater depth of flavor and thins the sauce. Feel free to use chicken broth, water with bouillon, or just plain water.
Salt– I just use regular table salt for this recipe. If you choose to use something with larger granules like kosher salt, you’ll need to double the amount. Feel free to add more salt if desired!
Cilantro– This is optional but adds freshness.

HOW TO SEASON BLACK BEANS:

Time needed: 20 minutes.

Add tons of flavor to your canned beans with this easy Seasoned Black Beans recipe!

Saute Onions
Cook the onions over medium heat in a medium size pot until translucent. Add the garlic and cumin and cook an additional 30 seconds
Cook the Beans
Add the drained and rinsed beans to the pot along with the tomato sauce, broth and salt. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Serve
Enjoy as a side dish or in tacos, enchiladas, burritos, taco salad…

Top view of a pot of black beans in a a red sauce with chopped cilantro sprinkled on top.

FAQS

How to add more heat to black beans?

Chop up some jalapeno and saute it with the onion or add a little Tapatio hot sauce.

Substitutions for a clove or garlic:

1 clove= 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt (reduce table salt)

Can I use a different kind of bean?

Yes! Pinto beans and Great Northern beans work great seasoned this way.

A bowl full of seasoned black beans garnished with fresh cilantro.

TOOLS USED TO MAKE THESE BEANS:

Mesh Strainer– I use all 3 sizes all the time for everything from straining beans to sifting flour.
Pot & Skillet Set– These are the skillets and pots I use. They have a heavy bottom making them sturdy and cook the food evenly. I use these multiple times a day.
Garlic Press– Fresh garlic tastes best and this is the garlic press I use. I love how easy it is to use and clean.

A close-up photo of seasoned black beans in a white bowl.

LOOKING FOR MORE MEXICAN SIDE DISHES? CHECK OUT THESE:

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