Fast and easy way to cook and season canned black beans to make a tasty and healthy side dish. Enjoy with tacos, enchiladas, and burritos, or any other Tex-Mex dish.
You only need a can of black beans and some basic ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and garlic to make this quick and tasty side dish!
Although canned black beans are already cooked, they can taste better if you add a few simple spices and ingredients to them instead of eating them plain.
Canned beans are a pantry staple. They’re budget-friendly, convenient and versatile. But let’s be honest – their flavor is nothing to write home about. Once you open that can you’re met with soggy, bland beans that need a little TLC.
The good news? With a few easy add-ins, you can transform canned beans into something delicious. Keep reading for 12 simple ways to add flavor to ho-hum canned beans.
Spice Things Up
One of the easiest ways to boost canned bean flavor is by adding spices and dried herbs. Here are some to try:
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Crushed red pepper flakes – These add a touch of heat and a flavor boost.
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Chili powder – In addition to heat chili powder lends a deep earthy flavor.
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Cumin – This warm, nutty spice is perfect for Mexican-style beans.
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Curry powder – Curry transforms beans into an Indian-inspired dish.
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Oregano – The woodsy flavor of oregano is delicious with beans.
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Thyme – Lemony thyme brightens up boring beans.
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Cilantro – Fresh cilantro adds a punch of flavor at the end.
Sauté an Aromatic
Sautéing onion, garlic, or shallot in a little oil before adding canned beans builds a flavor base. As the aromatics cook, they release pleasing flavors that get absorbed by the beans.
Simmer with Tomato
Adding a diced tomato or a spoonful of tomato paste while simmering beans boosts the flavor significantly. The tomato fills in flavor gaps with its tangy sweetness.
Pump Up the Acid
Bright acids help amplify canned bean flavor. A squeeze of lemon or lime juice right before serving wakes up the beans. Or add a splash of vinegar – balsamic, red wine, sherry, or apple cider all work nicely.
Swap out the Liquid
Ditching the can liquid and using veggie or chicken broth instead adds savory flavor to beans. Coconut milk also adds richness and depth of flavor.
Finish with Fresh Herbs
Fresh herbs punched up at the end take beans from boring to bright. Try chopped parsley, basil, mint, or scallions. Their vibrant flavor and color transforms canned beans.
Add Umami Flavor
Umami-rich ingredients make beans more savory and delicious. Add a spoonful of miso paste, fish sauce, soy sauce, or Worcestershire sauce as you heat them. Mushrooms and tomato paste also boost umami.
Toast the Beans
Cooking canned beans over medium heat for a few minutes before making the dish brings out their flavor. The toasting enhances their nutty taste and ensures they don’t taste tinny.
Cook with Bacon or Pancetta
The smoky, fatty flavor of bacon or pancetta boosts bean flavor immensely. Cook it first then sauté aromatics in the rendered fat before adding beans.
Puree a Portion
Mashing some of the beans as they cook adds creaminess and gives a more cohesive, stew-like texture. The starch released thickens and amplifies the flavor.
Finish with Nut Butter
Stirring in a spoonful of peanut butter or tahini at the end enhances the nutty flavor of beans. Those rich, toasted flavors take the beans up a notch.
Grate in Hard Cheese
Grating a hard, salty cheese like Parmesan or Pecorino Romano into beans adds a savory hit of flavor. The finishing touch of cheese pulls everything together.
Fold in Fresh Herbs
Chopped fresh herbs stir through at the end to elevate canned beans. Basil, cilantro, parsley, chives, and dill all work beautifully. Their bright, vibrant flavor livens up the beans.
So next time you crack open a can of beans, don’t stop there. With a small addition or two, you can make those boring beans shine. What’s your favorite way to amp up canned bean flavor?
Ingredients you’ll need to transform canned black beans
- 15-ounce can of black beans; I suggest the salt-free kind This lets you better manage the amount of salt in the recipe and keep the sodium level from being too high, like in some canned foods.
- The cooking oil I used was olive oil, but you could also use avocado oil, coconut oil, canola oil, or any other fat you like.
- Onions, tomatoes, and garlic: The trifecta of flavor. These are sauteed until softened and fragrant.
- Jalapeño (optional): Adding this pepper is totally optional. If you don’t want any spice, leave it out. Take out and throw away the seeds and veins if you don’t want it spicy. If you like it spicy, keep them in.
- To make it taste better, I mixed in some ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and salt.
- Lime juice: Add some lime juice at the end to give it a little acidity that goes well with the strong flavors of the beans and spices.
- Adding cilantro is optional, but it’s one of my favorite ways to dress up food. It tastes great with lime juice and goes well with a lot of different Latin dishes.
How to cook canned black beans
To cook, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and add the onions, tomatoes, garlic, jalapeños (if using), and seasonings. Cook for 5 minutes. This will soften the onions and tomatoes substantially and really help to infuse all those delicious seasonings.
Then add in the canned black beans and bring to a simmer. I like to use the whole can, even the liquid that the beans are in, because it has a lot of flavor! I suggest getting canned black beans that don’t have any salt added and come in a BPA-free can. It’s better for your health and tastes better when you eat it straight from the can.
Once the beans are simmering, remove them from the heat and stir in some lime juice. Taste and season with salt if needed. Place cilantro on top and enjoy! If the beans are too thick and you want them to be more soupy, add some water or broth until you get the right consistency.
In just 8 minutes, you can make beans that taste much better than beans from a can. You can eat them with tortilla chips and cheese, serve them with Mexican rice, or put them on top of steak fajitas or chicken tacos.
BAKED BEANS RECIPE: TURN CANNED INTO WOW! – COOKING ESCAPADES
FAQ
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