How to Cook Black Beans

Name: How to Cook Black Beans
Prep time: 8 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 10 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients: 1 pound dried black beans, picked through; 1 medium onion, peeled and cut in half; 3 large garlic cloves, peeled and left whole; 2 large bay leaves; 8 cups water for cooking

by Deborah // October 8, 2019 (updated October 9, 2020)

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Learn How to Cook Black Beans like a boss! Here are a few easy tips for cooking dried black beans on the stovetop so you can add them to your soups, stews, chilis, salads and more.

HOW TO MAKE BLACK BEANS FROM SCRATCH

Cooking black beans on the stovetop is easy, affordable and they taste superior to canned. Here you can learn How to Cook Black Beans with this simple four ingredient recipe.

BLACK BEANS RECIPE (What You’ll Need)

Dried Black Beans
Onion
Garlic
Bay Leaves

HOW TO COOK DRIED BEANS

If you’ve ever wondered how to cook dried black beans, it couldn’t be easier. After soaking black beans overnight, they will simmer on the stove for about 1-1/2 hours.

Pick over dried beans and discard broken pieces, stones and twigs
Rinse with water
Soak in a large bowl with water for a minimum of 8 hours but overnight is best
Drain and rinse
Add beans to large pot
Cover with water (about 4 cups)
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat to low
Cover pot with lid
Cook for 1-1/2 hours or until beans are tender
Drain excess liquid
Season with salt to taste

DO I HAVE TO SOAK BLACK BEANS OVERNIGHT

You don’t have to soak black beans overnight, but in order for the beans to be fork tender after cooking, they will need to soak for at least 8 hours.

HOW TO SOAK BLACK BEANS

Rinse the beans and pick out any broken pieces, twigs and stones
Place the rinsed beans in a large bowl or saucepan and cover with water by 2 inches
Let set overnight
Drain and rinse the beans before cooking

THE BEST WAY TO COOK BLACK BEANS WITHOUT SOAKING OVERNIGHT

Here’s a quick-soak method for beans

Add the beans to a pot and cover with water by 2 inches.
Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes.
Turn off heat and cover with lid.
Let them soak for 2 hours.
Drain and continue with the recipe as directed

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR BLACK BEANS TO COOK

It takes about 1 to 1-1/2 hours for pre-soaked black beans to cook. If you over-cook the beans, they will start to break apart and if you under-cook them, they will still be firm.

NOW WHAT?

After cooking black beans, you can now add them to soups, salads, stews, quesadillas, veggie burgers, power bowls, burritos, tacos, quesadillas. Stuff them inside baked sweet potatoes. Blend them up to make refried beans. Serve them for breakfast as huevos rancheros. Bake with them. Or simply season them and serve them as a side. Add them whenever and wherever you can for the nutritional benefits they provide.

ARE BLACK BEANS GOOD FOR YOU?

Yes! Very!! Black Beans are an excellent source of plant-based proteins. They’re also rich with iron, thiamin, folate, magnesium, selenium, potassium, zinc and quercetin (which is an antioxidant).

BENEFITS OF BLACK BEANS

There are many health benefits of black beans! Consuming black beans on a regular basis may help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and balance blood glucose levels for diabetics. Read more here about the many health Benefits of Black Beans.

BLACK BEAN RECIPES

BEAN RECIPES

Yield: 8 servings