Simmered Black Beans

Transform simple pantry staples into a comforting and nutritious dish with this recipe for Simmered Black Beans. Featuring tender dried black beans slowly cooked with aromatic sautéed onion, garlic, and a blend of earthy spices like cumin and oregano, this dish is rich in flavor and heartwarming in every bite. Infused with the subtle fragrance of a bay leaf and finished with optional fresh cilantro and a zesty splash of lime juice, these beans are as versatile as they are delicious. Serve them as a flavorful side dish, spoon them over rice for a wholesome meal, or use them as a filling for tacos, burritos, or grain bowls. With minimal effort and a stovetop-friendly cooking technique, this easy recipe is perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners. Plus, it’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with plant-based protein!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:100 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried black beans
• 4 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional) fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon (optional) lime juice

Directions

Step 1

Sort through the dried black beans to remove any debris or damaged beans, then rinse them thoroughly under cold water.

Step 2

In a large bowl, soak the beans in enough water to cover them by at least 2 inches for 6-8 hours or overnight. Alternatively, you can use the quick-soak method: place the beans in a pot with enough water to cover them, bring to a boil, boil for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it sit for 1 hour.

Step 3

Drain and rinse the soaked beans, then set aside.

Step 4

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, and dried oregano, and sauté for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot along with 4 cups of water and the bay leaf. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 60-75 minutes, or until the beans are tender. Stir occasionally and monitor the water level, adding more hot water if needed to keep the beans submerged.

Step 8

Once the beans are tender, stir in the salt and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the liquid to thicken and coat the beans.

Step 9

Remove the pot from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 10

Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice, if desired, before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1322.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	443.9

Total Fat 15.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 2.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2821.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 60.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.9g	0%
Total Sugars 6.0g
Protein 18.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 195.9mg	0%
Iron 6.8mg	0%
Potassium 977.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.9%

Protein: 16.2%

Carbs: 52.9%