How To Cook Canned Black Beans

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Learning How To Cook Canned Black Beans is especially perfect for busy weeknights when you need to whip up something healthy and easy without much time and effort.

And we know canned goods are convenient, and learning how to cook canned beans is a simple way to serve easy food to your family.

There are a few ways you can go about cooking these. You can use a slow cooker or microwave, or Instant Pot. I tend to simmer them on the stovetop with my favorite seasonings in just a few minutes.

If you are reading this post then you might like to try this How To Make Canned Refried Beans Better. Great as a dip, sandwich filler and more.

Please also do check out this How To Cook Canned Pinto Beans and these How To Cook Canned Chickpeas.

You might also like these How To Cook Canned Carrots and  How To Cook Canned Corn posts. The great thing about this easy recipe is that the beans can be used in various other delicious bean recipes and delicious side dish recipes, such as wraps, rice bowls soups, salads, taco filling, and more. #blackbeansforthewin

What Are Black Beans?

They belong to the legume family and are also known as black turtle beans and frijoles negros. Cooked black beans (from the can), as used in this recipe, are creamy and mild and great at taking up any flavor you add to them.

Why Make This Recipe

• Easy meal planning – This is a great recipe for meal planning. Canned black beans can be used in so many ways.
• Quick – These make a tasty and fast side dish or main with minimal cooking time. 
• Budget-friendly – Canned beans are an easy and affordable pantry staple.
• Adaptable – Use the beans in various recipes, or season with herbs and spices to bring out different flavors. It’s so versatile. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Canned Black Beans – this recipe calls for a can of drained cooked beans. These can be eaten as is, but adding extra flavor to them and cooking them for a few minutes really adds to their great taste. Look for plain unseasoned beans, as you will be adding flavor to these.
• Fresh garlic cloves – add so much flavor. But you can use garlic powder or garlic paste instead.
• Spices – this uses ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, onion salt, and dried oregano.
• Diced tomato – Use freshly diced, or from a can you prefer.
• Water – you can use other liquids to cook with, to your preference.

So, ready to learn just how easy it is to cook canned black beans? Gather up your ingredients and I will show you….

How To Cook Canned Black Beans

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Add the drained canned beans into a saucepan.
2. Then add garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, onion salt, and dried oregano, followed by the diced tomatoes and water, and stir.
3. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Please note firmer beans will need a bit more cook time and more water.
4. Taste for seasoning, adding salt or sprinkling with salt (and pepper) as desired before serving.

How To Cook These In A Microwave

1. Add contents from your drained can into a microwave-safe bowl, pour in a half cup of water, and mix.
2. Cover and cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Uncover, add in desired seasonings, mix again, place the lid back on, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until beans are warmed through.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Please do make sure to rinse the beans well before adding to the pot. Wash off all the gooey bean stuff that will be in the bottom of the can.
• You can mash some of the beans with a potato masher to thicken the final result.
• Scale up the recipe – For easier weeknight, double or triple the recipe (for all the ingredients)
• Please do use smoked paprika, as that gives it depth and extra smoky flavor.
• If you prefer more soupy beans, then you need to add more cooking liquid. Note that you may need to add extra salt and spices.
• Cover the pot while cooking, so that the liquid does not evaporate and the beans cook evenly.
• If your canned beans are too firm, then add at least 1 can of water and simmer for at least 30 – 45 minutes. You will need to keep an eye on the water and add more as needed so that it does not dry out. Longer cooked beans are great for making refried beans.
• Use a great can opener to easily and smoothly open canned food.

Delicious Variations

Here are some totally optional additions.

• Add meat – add cooked bacon strips, chicken, turkey, and more.
• Add fresh herbs – like cilantro, parsley, basil, and more.
• Add heat – for spicy delicious flavor with red pepper flakes, black pepper, green chilies, chili powder, hot sauce, chopped jalapeno, etc.
• Add sweetener – to sweeten, use brown sugar or maple syrup. If not vegan, then add honey instead.
• Vary the cooking liquid – feel free to use chicken stock, vegetable broth, etc.
• Vary the tomatoes – use canned tomatoes or fire-roasted tomatoes instead.
• Add oil – feel free to add in a little olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil.
• Add vegetables – add finely diced quick-cook veggies like chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery.
• Swap the beans – follow this recipe and make it a canned Pinto Beans Recipe using pinto beans.
• Add crunch – top with finely diced onion, tortilla chips, or croutons (remember to keep these gluten free if you need to).

Storage

• Store – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.  
• Freeze – Do not freeze beans that have been thoroughly cooked, as they may become mushy. 
• Reheat – Reheat in a small saucepan on the stovetop or in a microwave using a microwave-safe container.

FAQs

Using And Serving Suggestions

Serve seasoned black beans as part of a main dish in burrito bowls, in this Air Fryer Burrito, burrito wraps, with some tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, Mexican rice, and Guacamole. They can be mashed to make refried beans too.

Add them into this Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas or these Instant Pot Mexican Rice or easy Instant Pot Enchilada Rice.

You can also serve them alongside Air Fried Chicken Fajitas, delicious dump and start Steak Fajitas, and into Salmon Nachos.

More Black Bean Recipes

• Dump and Start Instant Pot Black Beans.
• How To Cook Black Beans.
• Salmon Black Bean Nachos.

More Canned Food Recipes

For even more easy canned food recipes, check out How To Make Canned Refried Beans Better, How To Cook Canned Chickpeas, How To Cook Canned Corn, How To Cook Canned Green Beans, and How To Cook Canned Pinto Beans.

You can also get a great selection of recipes in this collection of easy Canned Salmon Recipes, the best Canned Tuna Recipes, and these Canned Chicken Recipes that the whole family will love.

Recommended Tools

• An awesome can opener to open cans easily at the push of a button.
• Great saucepans for even cooking.
• A good set of spices and seasonings to upgrade your food.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my How To Cook Canned Black Beans recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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