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Perfectly seasoned, not too salty!|Made tacos incredible last night!|Smoky flavor beats canned beans!|My picky toddler asked for seconds!|Freezes beautifully for meal prep!|So easy with pressure cooker!|Tastes exactly like the restaurant version!|Much cheaper than takeout orders!
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Black Beans Recipe

Master how to make authentic Chipotle-style black beans with this quick and easy recipe. These perfectly seasoned beans combine garlic, bay leaf, and oregano for a smoky, flavorful side dish that's ready in under an hour. Learn how to cook restaurant-quality black beans that taste better than takeout!

Prep

10 mins

Cook

2 hours

Serve

6

Kcal

180
<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">450g dried black beans, soaked overnight</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 medium onion, finely diced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">4 cloves garlic, minced</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 bay leaf</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp dried oregano</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp ground cumin</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp black pepper</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp lime juice (about 1 lime)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1.5 litres vegetable stock or water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1/4 tsp chipotle powder (or smoked paprika)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Fresh coriander for garnish (optional)</li></ul>
<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Begin by soaking your black beans overnight or for at least 8 hours. This helps them cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. After soaking, drain and rinse them thoroughly under cold water.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Add the drained black beans to the pot along with the bay leaf, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and chipotle powder. Stir everything together for about 1 minute to toast the spices slightly and coat the beans.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Pour in the vegetable stock or water, making sure the beans are fully submerged with about 2-3 cm of liquid above them. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Cover the pot partially with a lid and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender but not mushy. Check periodically and add more water if needed to keep the beans submerged.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Once the beans are tender, remove the bay leaf. Using the back of a wooden spoon, mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the mixture slightly while leaving most beans whole.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Add the salt and lime juice, then cook uncovered for another 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce to your desired consistency. The final texture should be creamy with whole beans throughout.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4> Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you prefer spicier beans, add a little more chipotle powder. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander if desired. These beans make a perfect side dish, burrito filling, or base for a hearty bowl meal.</li></ol>
FAQ for
Black Beans Recipe

How long should black beans be soaked before cooking?

Black beans should be soaked for at least 8 hours or overnight for best results. Soaking helps them cook more evenly, reduces cooking time, and makes them more digestible. After soaking, always rinse thoroughly before cooking.

Can you cook black beans without soaking them first?

Yes, you can cook black beans without soaking, but you'll need to extend the cooking time to 2-3 hours. Unsoaked beans may cook less evenly and potentially cause more digestive discomfort. If short on time, try the quick-soak method by boiling for 2 minutes, then resting for 1 hour.

What makes homemade black beans better than canned versions?

Homemade black beans offer superior texture and flavour as you control the seasonings and cooking process. They're free from preservatives and excess sodium found in canned versions, and you can adjust the firmness to your preference, from al dente to creamy.

How can I make my black beans more flavourful?

Enhance black beans by sautΓ©ing aromatics like onions and garlic before adding beans, incorporating smoked paprika or chipotle for smokiness, using stock instead of water, adding a dash of vinegar or lime at the end, and finishing with fresh herbs like coriander.

Are black beans a nutritious food choice?

Black beans are exceptionally nutritious, packed with plant-based protein (15g per cup), high in fibre (15g per cup), rich in antioxidants, and provide essential minerals like iron, magnesium and folate. They're also low in fat and help stabilise blood sugar levels.

The calorie count is an approximation and can vary based on exact measurements and specific ingredients used. Always consult nutritional information if strict adherence to calorie counts is required. This recipe is inspired by the flavours of this restaurant's dishes and has been independently developed for home cooking. It is not an exact match to the proprietary recipe used by the restaurant. This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurant.
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This helps them cook more evenly and reduces cooking time. After soaking, drain and rinse them thoroughly under cold water." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "SautΓ© Onions", "text": "Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add Garlic", "text": "Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add Beans and Spices", "text": "Add the drained black beans to the pot along with the bay leaf, dried oregano, ground cumin, black pepper, and chipotle powder. Stir everything together for about 1 minute to toast the spices slightly and coat the beans." }, { "@type": "HowToStep", "name": "Add Liquid", "text": "Pour in the vegetable stock or water, making sure the beans are fully submerged with about 2-3 cm of liquid above them. 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If you prefer spicier beans, add a little more chipotle powder. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander if desired." } ], "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "ratingCount": "178" }, "review": [ { "@type": "Review", "author": "Maria Rodriguez", "datePublished": "2024-04-15", "reviewBody": "These black beans are fantastic! So much better than canned and worth the extra time. I added a little extra chipotle powder for more heat and they were perfect with rice and tacos.", "name": "Better Than Restaurant Beans", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Akira Tanaka", "datePublished": "2024-04-10", "reviewBody": "I've tried many black bean recipes and this one is exceptional. The balance of spices is perfect, and mashing some of the beans creates a wonderful creamy texture while keeping most whole. My new go-to recipe!", "name": "Perfect Texture and Flavor", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Sven Johansson", "datePublished": "2024-04-18", "reviewBody": "Made these for meal prep and they stayed delicious all week. I added some diced bell peppers with the onions and it worked beautifully. The lime juice at the end really brightens up the flavor.", "name": "Great for Meal Prep", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Priya Sharma", "datePublished": "2024-04-05", "reviewBody": "This recipe converted me from canned beans to dried! The flavor development is incredible, and I love how versatile they are. I've used them in burritos, as a side dish, and even pureed some for dip.", "name": "Versatile and Delicious", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } }, { "@type": "Review", "author": "Carlos Mendoza", "datePublished": "2024-04-20", "reviewBody": "As someone who grew up with homemade black beans, I can confirm this recipe is authentic and delicious. The spice balance is perfect and the cooking method results in beans that are neither too firm nor mushy. Β‘Muy bueno!", "name": "Authentic Flavor", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "5" } } ], "url": "https://www.grittychef.com/recipes/classic-black-beans-recipe" }
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