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Cuban style black beans

Cuban-Style Black Beans

Cuban-style black beans are the perfect companion to a bowl of white rice! Here is an easy recipe for making this traditional dish in a fraction of the time. I infuse the broth with sofrito, fresh herbs and spices for the most delicious beans you'll ever taste!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 can black beans, with liquid 15.5 oz can
  • 1 tsp canola oil can sub with oil of choice
  • 1/4 cup sofrito
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce optional
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon Better than Bouillon
  • 1 tsp adobo
  • 1/2 tsp sazon
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground oregano
  • 1 clove garlic crushed
  • 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/2 kabocha squash (calabaza) optional
  • 1/2 onion optional
  • 1/2 bell pepper optional
  • cilantro sprigs optional
  • diced ham optional

Instructions
 

  • Place a pot or caldero over medium heat. Add oil and diced ham, if using. Sauté ham until golden brown.
  • Add sofrito, tomato sauce, and chicken bouillon. Cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add beans, water, seasonings and stir to combine.
  • Add bay leaf, onion, bell pepper, calabaza, cilantro sprigs and bring to a boil. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer for about 15 minutes.
  • Remove bay leaf. Add the onion, bell pepper, calabaza and cilantro sprigs to a blender with some of the beans. Blend until smooth and add the puree back to the beans to thicken the broth.
  • Add crushed garlic, red wine vinegar, and sugar. Stir well.
  • Cover and allow to cook on low heat about 5-10 minutes more. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Tips:
  1. If your bean broth is too thin, add the stewed onion, bell pepper, squash, and cilantro sprigs to a blender with some of the beans. Blend until smooth and add the puree back to the beans to thicken the broth. 
  2. If your bean broth is too thick, add a splash of water and stir until well combined. Adjust seasoning, if necessary.
  3. If your beans are too salty, add water. If this thins out the broth too much follow step 1.
  4. If your beans are too bland, add adobo and/or other seasonings as necessary. Adding seasoning little by little is key! Fixing bland beans is easier than fixing salty beans.
How to make black beans from scratch? (Soaking method)
First, rinse the dry beans thoroughly and then soak them in a pot full of water overnight. If you’re using a 12-ounce bag of beans, you will need 4 cups of water. Please note, the beans will expand while they soak.
The next day, drain the beans and then add 5 cups of clean water to the pot. Bring to a boil and cook for about one hour, covered, and stirring occasionally. Once the beans are tender, you can continue with the recipe as is.
Healthy Rican Discount:
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