How to Cook Black Beans From Scratch (Dry Beans Recipe)
If you favor canned beans over dry because you do not know how to make them, it ends today! I am showing you how to cook the perfect, tastiest black beans from scratch using dry beans. You will never look at those canned black beans anymore. This recipe gives the best texture and flavor, and it is inexpensive! Talk about a win-win situation.
Perfect Dry Black Beans Recipe
How many times have you passed a bag of dry black beans and heads over to grab the canned ones? I beg you to stop using those sad canned black beans and start cooking them dry from scratch. Not only are canned black beans expensive, but they may equally be less nutritious and taste weird. If your reason for favoring canned beans over dry is because you do not know how to make them, it ends today! I’m showing you an easy yet tasty way to cook black beans from scratch. This would be the best black beans you have ever had.
This is how I typically cook the dry beans that I use in other recipes, including my famous black bean–quinoa bowl, juicy black bean burgers, deconstructed taco bowl, black bean taco wrap, etc. What I am about to show you today is such an easy recipe that provides the most delicious results. And you’ll never go back to the canned stuff again!
What Is the Proper Way to Cook Dried Black Beans?
Technically, the proper way to cook dried beans is to soak them first. Ensure to soak them overnight or at least 6 hours before cooking. Soaking black beans helps them to cook faster and evenly. On the other hand, you can still cook your dry black beans without soaking them first. However, soaking the dry beans gives you the best results. Additionally, the proper way to cook black beans is to cook them low and slow, rendering them a tender texture. Along with seasonings, they become a flavorful main or side dish for any meal.
Cooking Black Beans from Scratch vs Canned Black Beans
There are some key differences between cooking black beans from scratch vs canned black beans. First, cooking beans from scratch saves you money, and you will be getting more beans for your money. Second, you can control the amount of sodium you add to the beans when you cook them from scratch yourself. Equally, you control what else you wish to add to your dish, such as herbs and spices. On the contrary, canned beans offer a quicker, more convenient way to cook a plant-based, protein-packed meal.
Granted, dry beans take longer to cook, but they are fresh, more tasty, and more nutritious than canned (in my opinion). If you haven’t tried cooking black beans from scratch, now is the time. You’ll thank me for it, I promise!
Why You Will Love This Homemade Black Beans Recipe and the Health Benefits:
- These beans come out with a wonderful texture and flavor.
- It’s super easy to make them from scratch. TBH, that’s the best way to go!
- They’re nutritious and filling, and you can control the amount of salt, unlike canned beans. You are in charge, and you can control the herbs and spices to add.
- While you need time to cook them, it’s a hands-off recipe that requires little effort on your part.
- Make sure to soak this for at least 6 hours or overnight; this way, you get the tastiest, yummiest, and most delicious black beans.
- Cooking your black beans from scratch is way.
- Black beans are nutritious and have excellent antioxidants, including anthocyanins.
- Black beans are perfect for weight management and digestive and bone health.
- It may help with regulating blood sugar
- Black beans is versatile and healthy for you and your family.
- I personally love double-batching this recipe for meal prep. I love stir-frying these cooked black beans and then add to my quinoa-black bean bowls. This recipe is what I use as my black bean burger base. Last time, I meal-prepped almost 20 black bean burgers. Yum!
Ingredients for Cooking Dry Black Beans at Home:
- Dry black beans (I used Goya)
- Water
- Knorr Bouillon seasoning cubes or powder
- Salt
- Bay leaves, thyme, or rosemary.
How to Cook Black Beans From Scratch Using Dry Beans (Step-by-Step):
Get ready to fall in love with tender, flavorful black beans that come out perfectly! Here’s what to do:
- Sort the Beans
Place dry black beans in a tray and sort. Make sure to discard any stones and, rotten beans or debris that you find.
- Soak Dry Beans
Place your dry black beans in a large bowl. Add six cups (or more) of water and soak the beans overnight or for at least six hours.
- Rinse the Beans
The following day or after 6 hours, rinse the beans very well, up to 6 – 8 times or until clean. Place rinsed beans into a clean pot. Add a good amount of water that completely covers the beans, at least 5 cups of water. Then, add salt to taste, bay leaves, or fresh thyme/rosemary and Knorr Bouillon seasoning cubes/powder.
- Cook the Dry Beans Until Tender
Cover and cook for 50-60 minutes or until the beans are tender. By this time, they should have almost absorbed the water. Check your beans at intervals and add more water or seasoning if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy
Cooked black beans are incredibly versatile. Serve with rice, add to quinoa bowls, soups, or tacos, or make black bean burgers using my recipe. Enjoy!
Best Tips for Cooking the Perfect Dry Black Beans at Home:
- Soak your dry black beans before cooking! You can definitely cook dry black beans without soaking them, but for the best result, soak them. Don’t skip the rinsing step!
- At the end of the cooking time, you can add more water or remove excess water if needed.
- Sort the beans to ensure to get rid of stones (if any).
- Cook your black beans on medium–low heat.
- Add other spices/herbs like onions, garlic, and peppers.
What Recipes to Make with Cooked Black Beans?
You can top these black beans on rice or quinoa, make a bowl, or let it be your side. Here are some of the recipes you can make with cooked black beans include:
- Black Bean Veggie Burgers
- Black Bean – Quinoa Bowl
- Taco Bowls
- Taco Wraps with Rice, Black beans, and Chicken
- Black Bean Soup
- Mexican pasta with black beans
- Black Bean and Corn Quesadillas
- Tortilla Soup
- Black and White Pizza
- Black Bean Chili
What Pairs Well With Black Beans?
How to Store Leftover Cooked Black Beans
A big pot of homemade black beans is a great asset for meal prep. You can keep it in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or put it in a freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Make sure that you allow your beans to cool before refrigerating or freezing.
FAQs
Cooking dry beans can take an hour or two, which is why soaking them is recommended. This helps cut down the cooking time significantly.
They don’t technically need to be soaked before you cook them, though it will reduce your cooking time. If you forgot to soak them, no worries! Just plan on cooking them a little longer and be patient.
I’ve found that a minimum of 6 hours to soaking them overnight is the best amount of time for soaking black beans prior to cooking.
Yes, you can overcook them, which is why canned beans tend to come out too mushy. They retain their texture better when you cook them for the right amount of time.
Boiling the beans first without soaking them will mean that they take a lot longer to cook, and they may not cook evenly. You might wind up with a tougher texture if you don’t let them cook long enough.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add your favorite seasonings to make it your own. If you love spiciness, a little chili pepper would be a nice addition.
- You could put them in the slow cooker too, though the texture may come out softer than you’d like. It’s a good option if you want to come home to a nice, hot and healthy meal.
- You can also try this cooking method for other types of dried beans.
Recipe Card
Print
How to Cook Black Beans From Scratch (Dry Beans Recipe)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Universal
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
If you favor canned beans over dry because you do not know how to make them, it ends today! I am showing you how to cook the perfect, tastiest black beans from scratch using dry beans. You will never look at those canned black beans anymore. This recipe gives the best texture and flavor, and it is inexpensive! Talk about a win-win situation.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of black beans (I used Goya)
- 2 Knorr seasoning cubes or 2 teaspoons Knorr Bouillon seasoning powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 2 bay leaves or 4 sprigs of Fresh thyme or Rosemary
- Water
Instructions
- Sort the Beans. Place dry black beans in a tray and sort. Make sure to discard any stones and, rotten beans or debris that you find.
- Soak the Beans. Place your dry black beans in a large bowl. Add six cups (or more) of water and soak the beans overnight or for at least six hours.
- Rinse the Beans. The following day or after 6 hours, rinse the beans very well, up to 6 – 8 times or until clean. Place rinsed beans into a clean pot. Add a good amount of water that completely covers the beans, at least 5 cups of water. Then, add salt to taste, bay leaves, and Knorr Bouillon seasoning cubes or seasoning powder.
- Cook the Dry Beans Until Tender. Cover and cook for 50-60 minutes or until the beans are tender. By this time, they should have almost absorbed the water. Check your beans at intervals and add more water or seasoning if needed.
- Serve and Enjoy. Cooked black beans are incredibly versatile. Serve with rice, add to quinoa bowls, soups, or tacos, or make black bean burgers using my recipe. Enjoy!
Notes
Soak your dry black beans before cooking! You can definitely cook dry black beans without soaking them, but for the best result, soak them. Don’t skip the rinsing step!
At the end of the cooking time, you can add more water or remove excess water if needed.
Sort the beans to ensure to get rid of stones (if any).
Cook your black beans on medium–low heat.
Add other spices/herbs like onions, garlic, and peppers.
Check out our other wholesome beans dishes:
- Stewed Black-eyed Peas (Nigerian Beans Porridge)
- Black-eyed Peas Fritters (Akara)
- Nigerian Moi-Moi
- Black Bean Veggie Burger
- Deconstructed Taco Bowl
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THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep living your life to the fullest!
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