My Cuban Black Beans Recipe

Craving authentic Cuban flavors without the restaurant price tag? This recipe delivers! My husband and I adore Cuban food, so I perfected this delicious, traditional-style black bean recipe for those busy weeknights. Get ready for a flavorful explosion in under 2.5 hours (soaking time not included). This is your new go-to side dish or hearty vegetarian meal!

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 130 mins
Calories 171.6 kcal
Protein 17g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
My Cuban Black Beans 17

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for My Cuban Black Beans

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How to Make My Cuban Black Beans

  1. Rinse 1 pound of dried black beans thoroughly.
  2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the rinsed beans with 8 cups of water. Soak for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours.
  3. Drain the soaked beans and add them back to the pot. Add 4 cups of fresh water, 1 medium onion (chopped), 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1 green bell pepper (chopped), 1 red bell pepper (chopped), 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional), 1 bay leaf, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour and 30 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
  6. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. For extra depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of your favorite dark rum or a tablespoon of olive oil at the end of cooking.
  7. Serve hot as a side dish or a hearty vegetarian meal. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

5g

Fat

5g

Carbs

8g