Description
Hearty Mexican black beans celebrate traditional flavors with rich, smoky seasonings. Tender legumes slow-cooked with aromatic spices offer a comforting dish you’ll savor alongside rice or tortillas.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 (15 oz / 425 g) cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked black beans)
- 1 cup chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian option)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice (about ½ lime)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a skillet and transform diced onions into a translucent, fragrant foundation, releasing their sweet undertones.
- Aromatic Infusion: Introduce minced garlic to the softened onions, allowing its intense flavor to permeate the cooking oil and create a robust base.
- Bean Transformation: Add black beans and chicken broth, then generously sprinkle cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper to create a bold, multilayered seasoning profile.
- Texture Manipulation: Simmer the mixture, periodically stirring to prevent scorching, and gently crush some beans with a spoon to develop a creamy, rustic consistency.
- Final Flourish: Reduce liquid until beans are thoroughly heated, then remove from heat and enliven with a bright lime juice splash and a generous scattering of fresh cilantro.
- Serving Suggestion: Present the beans hot, offering versatile pairing options with rice, tacos, or as a standalone side dish that captures the essence of Mexican culinary tradition.
Notes
- Prevent Bean Burning: Stir frequently and maintain medium-low heat to avoid scorching the beans and onions during sautéing.
- Customize Spice Levels: Adjust chili powder and spices according to personal heat tolerance, starting with smaller quantities and gradually increasing.
- Enhance Protein Content: Mash a portion of beans for creamier texture or leave whole for varied mouthfeel, making the dish suitable for different dietary preferences.
- Boost Flavor Depth: Allow beans to simmer longer for more intense seasoning absorption, developing richer taste profile and more complex culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg