Delicious black bean recipe

Name: Delicious, flavorful black bean recipe (using dried beans)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 1 pound bag of dried black beans - soaked overnight; 1 medium onion (Chopped into small pieces); 2 medium carrots ( - sliced into coins then chopped into pieces of similar size to the beans.); 4 cloves garlic (minced or finely chopped); 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp kosher or rough ground salt; 1/4 cup olive oil

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Recently we started making a pot of black beans using dried black beans. It was great to have on hand for the vegetarian in the family, and we ate it as part of our main meal served on rice. It is awesome as a side too!

black beans on bed of rice with a side of broccoli

It is flavorful, saucy (perfect on rice), and inexpensive to make. If we have leftovers after a couple of days, we freeze them.

Another bean-based side to keep on hand is this easy-to-assemble cowboy caviar. It's so flavorful and delicious!

Why I like this recipe

Cooked dried beans have a nicer texture (not as mushy) and aren't nearly as salty. You certainly can add salt to your dried bean recipes (I did for this one) but you will probably use less salt. You can also add as much or as little flavor to this recipe as you like. This is also a very inexpensive meal/side.

Prep. Tip

Soak for 8 hours (or overnight) before cooking

Most recipes recommend soaking overnight.
Put the dried black beans into a bowl. Pick through the beans to see if there are any small stones or anything that shouldn't be there and discard. I've never found anything but beans. Ever. Then cover the dried beans with water. There should be about two inches of water above the level of the beans. The minimum soaking time should be about 8 hours.

Ingredients

black beans, 1 cup chopped onions, 1 cup chopped carrots and a head of garlic cloves

1 pound bag of dried black beans - soaked (see above)
1 medium onion peeled and chopped into small pieces (about the size of the rehydrated beans) This will be about 1 ½ cups of chopped onion.
2 medium carrots - sliced into coins then chopped into pieces of similar size to the beans.
4 garlic cloves - minced or finely chopped.
¼ cup rice vinegar
1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon kosher or rough ground salt
¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

Drain soaked beans.
Step 1

Onions and carrots should be chopped into pieces approx. the size of the rehydrated beans.
Using a heavy large stockpot or dutch oven, pour enough oil (roughly ¼ cup) so you have a thin layer of oil on the bottom of the pot.
Heat pot on medium-high.
Add carrots and onions to the hot pot. Stir occasionally until onions are soft - approximately 5 minutes. The onions will pick up the color of the carrots.

Step 2
Add finely chopped garlic to the pot and stir for 1 to 2 minutes.
Use the rice vinegar to deglaze the pot (deglaze - add to the pot and scrape up the cooked bits from the bottom).
Add the drained-soaked beans.

sauted onions, carrots and now adding black beans

Step 3
Add the dried oregano.
Step 4
Add roughly 8 cups of water. You want enough water in the pot to cover the beans plus about 2 inches. Remember, it will be easier to add liquid later rather than take it away during the cooking process.

adding water to soaked beans in a red pot

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
Simmer for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until beans are tender.
If beans are not covered in water while simmering, add a bit more. Beans should be just covered in a thick liquid when done cooking.

Step 5
Add salt to bean mixture about ½ hour before finishing. After cooking for ½ hour after adding salt, taste to see if the beans are salty enough. This seems like a lot of salt but we are starting with unsalted beans. Canned beans have even more salt than what these beans will have.
Taste prior to serving to adjust flavor. Add more salt if needed (and perhaps more oregano).
Serve on a bed of rice.

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black beans serve on a bed of rice with a side of broccoli

The beans have a nice sauce and a delicious flavor from the onions, garlic, and oregano. The carrots are just in there because we all need to eat more carrots!

You can also serve these beans as a side like we did the day we had our rootbeer ribs.

FAQs

Can I just cook the beans longer and not soak?

Yes. However, I find the texture is better when I soak and cook for less time.

Are black beans healthy?

Yes! They are nutritionally dense and have been around for centuries.

Other bean based recipes

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Delicious, flavorful black bean recipe (using dried beans)

An easy and delicious black bean recipe that can be used as a meal or a side. Make a vegetarian meal or side using ingredients in your pantry. A great way to use dried beans in an inexpensive meal.

Prep Time5

soaking time8

Total Time1 30

Course: Main dish

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 215Kcal

Author: Susan Moncrieff

Ingredients

1 pound bag of dried black beans - soaked overnight
1 medium onion Chopped into small pieces
2 medium carrots - sliced into coins then chopped into pieces of similar size to the beans.
4 cloves garlic minced or finely chopped
¼ cup rice vinegar
1 ½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon kosher or rough ground salt
¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

Drain soaked beans overnight
Onions and carrots should be chopped into pieces approx. the size of the rehydrated beans.
Using a heavy large stockpot or dutch oven, pour enough oil (roughly ¼ cup) so you have a thin layer of oil on the bottom of the pot.
Heat pot on medium-high.
Add carrots and onions to the hot pot. Stir occasionally until onions are soft - approximately 5 minutes. The onions will pick up the color of the carrots.
Add finely chopped garlic to the pot and stir continually for 1 to 2 minutes.
Use the rice vinegar to deglaze the pot (deglaze - add to the pot and scrape up the cooked bits from the bottom of the pot).
Add the drained soaked beans.
Add dried oregano.
Add roughly 8 cups of water. You want enough water in the pot to cover the beans plus about 2 inches. Remember, it will be easier to add liquid later rather than take it away during the cooking process.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low.
Simmer for about 1 to 1 ½ hours until beans are tender.
If while simmering, beans are not covered in water, add a bit more. Beans should be just covered in a thick liquid when done cooking.
Add salt to bean mixture about ½ hour before finishing. After cooking for ½ hour after adding salt, taste to see if the beans are salty enough. This seems like a lot of salt but we are starting with unsalted beans. Canned beans have even more salt than what these beans will have.
Taste prior to serving to adjust flavor. Add more salt if needed (and perhaps more oregano).