These vegan Cuban black beans are quick and easy to make. Made with a sofrito of onions, bell pepper, and garlic, it infuses these frijoles negros with flavor. Deliciously served over a bed of jasmine or yellow rice for a fantastic dinner.
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Why this works
This recipe for Vegan Cuban Black Beans offers a sumptuous blend of flavors, nutrition, and cultural depth that will not only tantalize your taste buds but also enrich your culinary repertoire.
It's the perfect dish for anyone—vegan or not—looking to incorporate more plant-based proteins into their diet, as black beans are a powerhouse of essential nutrients like fiber, iron, and protein.
The dish's amalgamation of spices, including cumin, garlic, and bay leaves, creates an aromatic experience that transcends mere sustenance, evoking the vibrant culture of Cuba.
This recipe is also remarkably versatile; it can be a comforting meal or a hearty accompaniment to various grains, vegetables, or plant-based proteins. Even if you're new to cooking, the simplicity and affordability of the ingredients make this an accessible dish to prepare.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is a quick snapshot of the ingredients you'll need for this recipe. Scroll to the recipe card, where you will find the exact measurements.
- Cooked or canned black beans - you can use dried black beans for this recipe, but they must be cooked first. One cup of dried black beans will yield 3 cups cooked. Canned black beans can be drained and rinsed for this recipe as well.
- Tomato paste - I used double-concentrated tomato paste with a more intense flavor. You can substitute regular tomato paste in a 1:1 ratio.
- Hot sauce - use a mild hot sauce like Crystal's or Cholula.
- White vinegar - do not substitute with apple cider vinegar, or it will alter the dish's taste. You can substitute it with champagne, rice, or red wine vinegar.
How to make Cuban black beans
What is a sofrito?
A sofrito is a blend of vegetables, herbs, and spices combined to flavor various dishes. This richly seasoned base can be made ahead and frozen for later use in soups, stews, and other main dishes.
Make the sofrito
Preheat a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once heated, add olive oil, diced onion, and green bell pepper. Saute until soft and translucent.
Add the minced garlic, and saute until fragrant or about thirty seconds. To this, add the cumin, oregano, and bay leaf. Continue to saute for about thirty seconds more. Pour in the vegetable broth or water.
If using canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse the beans. If using pre-cooked black beans, then drain before adding to the pot.
Add the white vinegar, hot sauce, tomato paste, and cooked black beans to the pot. Stir all the ingredients together.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. If using canned beans, turn down the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 40 minutes or until the beans have a bite that you like.
If using pre-cooked dried beans, then simmer for 90 minutes.
These can also be slow-cooked on low for 4 hours. You can skip sauteeing the vegetables and combine all ingredients to cook using this method.
Tips for Success
Be sure to do a taste test and adjust the seasoning for your palate. If a thicker sauce is desired, take ½ cup of the beans, mash, and then return to the pot.
You can add more spice to the black beans by adding jalapeno or serrano peppers or more cumin. You can add more vegetables by adding carrots or top with chopped fresh tomato.
FAQ
You can if you like, and this will speed up the cooking process and make the beans softer.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this with jasmine or yellow rice and a green salad or vegetable for a complete meal. These can be served topped with cilantro, sour cream, a squeeze of lime juice, and chopped tomatoes with red onion.
These Cuban black beans can be served over tacos, in soup and stews, or as a salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store for up to one week in the refrigerator in an airtight container. These vegan Cuban black beans can be frozen for up to three months.
Reheat by heating in the microwave or warming the stovetop on medium heat.
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