How To Cook Canned Black Beans

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This is the easiest and best Canned Black Beans Recipe you’ll ever make. Great thing is that you can whip it up with spices you already own, it comes together in minutes and makes a delicious side dish or main dish the whole family will just love.

Suitable for vegan and gluten free diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

the completed how to cook canned black beans recipe

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

top down view of the completed how to cook canned black beans recipe

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. 
a bowl of the cook canned black beans recipe with a serving spoon inside

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.
the ingredients needed to learn how to cook canned black beans

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

Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!

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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.
image collage showing the steps for how to cook canned black beans

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.
top down view of a bowl of cooked canned black beans

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).
a spoon inside a bowl filled with cooked canned black beans

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

How Long To Cook Canned Black Beans

Canned beans vary in firmness and softness, so this depends on the firmness of the beans and what you are going to be using them for, eg in salads or wraps or to be mashed (so need them softer), etc.

For softer beans, 5 minutes of simmering is enough. I have found that that for very firm beans, I may simmer them for up to 30 minutes to get them soft.

Try various brands and see what works for you.

What If I Prefer To Cook From Dried Beans Instead?

If you prefer to cook dried black beans instead, you certainly can. Make sure to pick through the beans to discard any debris and soak them overnight before cooking. but be aware the cook time will be significantly different.

Check out this Instant Pot Black Beans Recipe post.

What Can I Swap These Out For?

You can also use pinto beans, great northern beans, and black eyed peas. Basically, use whichever variety of beans you like best.

a glass storage container filled with canned black beans

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 add them in to Salmon Nachos.

More Black Bean Recipes

More Canned Food Recipes

For even more easy canned food recipes, be sure to try these;

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.

the finished version of how to cook canned black beans served in a white bowl

Weight Watchers Points

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

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the completed how to cook canned black beans recipe
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How To Cook Canned Black Beans

An easy and flavorful dish that’s ready in minutes.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Total Time7 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Western
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 111kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 15 ounces (425g) canned black beans drained, rinsed and unseasoned
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon onion salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2 tomatoes finely diced
  • ½ cup (118ml) water

Instructions

Stovetop Method

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

Microwave Method

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

Notes

  • 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.
  • Storage – keep in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
  • There are 0 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Nutrition

Calories: 111kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 704mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2mg

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