If you are looking for how to cook canned black beans?. My answer is you have come to the right place. In this article, I will instruct you to heat up and enhance the flavor of canned black beans in 2 different ways to taste better and you will feel this recipe is straightforward to make.
1. Are Black Beans From a Can Already Cooked?
Yes, canned black beans are pre-cooked. Therefore, they can be eaten right out of the can. For direct consumption, canned black beans can be added to fresh salads, used for making dips, or stuffing them in burgers/sandwiches.
However, enhancing canned black beans taste better by cooking them on the stove for a few more minutes is a good idea as well, because:
- Draining and rinsing (with cold water) the canned black beans before cooking helps get rid of the oligosaccharides exiting in the can’s liquid.
- Unlike raw black beans, canned black beans don’t require hours of soaking. Thereby, reducing the prep time and aiding in making a delicious nourishing meal quickly for the family.
2. How To Cook Canned Black Beans on Stove
Ingredients
- A can of black beans (around 2 cups)
- 1- 1½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 shallot (chopped) and 1 tomato (diced)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro (chopped roughly)
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2½ teaspoons cumin powder
- A teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
- A teaspoon salt (or as per taste)
- A can of filtered water (about 2-2½ cups)
- A deep non-stick frying pan and spatula
Instructions
Step 1: Open the can of beans, drain the liquid, rinse them thoroughly under running cold water, then set it aside. Place the pan on the stove at medium-high heat and drizzle the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped shallot and sauté for 2 minutes by stirring frequently.
Step 2: Next, add the tomatoes and cilantro. Fry them by stirring regularly for 2 minutes.
Step 3: Now, add the garlic, oregano, cumin, chili powder & salt. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. Now add the beans and filtered water into the pan. Stir the ingredients and turn the stove on high heat.
Step 4: Lower the heat to medium-high after the water is halved. Using the back of the spatula, mash the semi-cooked beans to thicken the gravy.
Step 5: Turn off the stove as soon as the broth reaches your desired consistency. Serve the aromatic black beans gravy along with soft white rice.
3. How To Cook Canned Black Beans in Microwave
Ingredients
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional ingredients: lime juice, cilantro, diced onions, cotija or feta cheese, avocado
Instructions
Place drained and rinsed black beans into a microwave-safe bowl.
Stir in olive oil, garlic and seasonings until thoroughly combined.
Cover bowl well with plastic wrap or a lid that is microwave-safe. Vent a corner to allow steam to escape.
Microwave beans for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through. Carefully remove and stir beans. The cooking time will vary based on your microwave power.
Taste the beans and adjust any seasonings as desired. You an add another sprinkle of cumin, chili powder or cayenne pepper for extra depth of flavor.
Serve the beans warm, at room temperature, or cold in salads. Add optional mix-ins as desired. Squeeze over some lime juice for extra zest. Top with cilantro, onions, cheese crumbles or cubed avocado for various flavor and texture contrasts.
Now, you know how to cook canned black beans in 2 different ways. Hopefully, this article can help you make a canned black bean more perfect at home. Good luck!
