Spiced Up Black Beans
"These are so easy and quick to make. A wonderful side dish to go with any Mexican dish. And, as you can see from my picture I posted, you can change it up a bit. This time I used pinto beans vs black beans; and instead of regular salsa I used chunky salsa. Now, I normally use black beans, but I figured the flavors would equally as good. So have some fun with the recipe, and make it yours. Other than slicing a bit of onion ... the rest is pantry items, so it doesn't take any time to throw together."
Original is 5 servings
Ingredients
Nutritional
- Serving Size: 1 (197.4 g)
- Calories 386.7
- Total Fat - 24.2 g
- Saturated Fat - 5.2 g
- Cholesterol - 640.6 mg
- Sodium - 1807.6 mg
- Total Carbohydrate - 12.4 g
- Dietary Fiber - 1.2 g
- Sugars - 2.6 g
- Protein - 33.3 g
- Calcium - 360.1 mg
- Iron - 14.3 mg
- Vitamin C - 2.2 mg
- Thiamin - 0.3 mg
Step by Step Method
Step 1
Vegetables -- In a large saute pan, add the olive oil and saute the onion and garlic on medium heat for 4-5 minutes. You want them to sweat, not brown.
Step 2
Add the rest of the ingredients, except the broth and stir well to combine. Continue on medium low heat.
Step 3
Simmer ... Add a little of the broth and continue cook on medium low heat. Take a fork and mash/smash up some of the beans as they simmer. Check for any additional seasoning. Add a little more broth if the beans get too dry. They can stay on the stove up to 30 minutes.
Step 4
Serve ... Right before serving, add in the cilantro, mix, and transfer to a serving bowl. ENJOY!
Tips
No special items needed.
Editorial Notes
The ingredient tips, suggestions, variations, facts, questions and answers below are not edits to the original author's recipe. They are not meant to imply any change would improve the recipe. They're offered for convenience, alternative ideas, and points of interest. If you have any comments about them, please post in the Help & Ideas forum.
- You can use either black beans or pinto beans for this recipe.
- Choose a mild or medium salsa depending on your preferred spice level.
- Instead of black beans, use pinto beans. The benefit of using pinto beans is that they are a bit sweeter and milder in flavor than black beans, so they will not overpower the other flavors in the dish.
- Instead of regular salsa, use chunky salsa. The benefit of using chunky salsa is that it adds texture and a bit of crunch to the dish, which balances out the creaminess of the beans.
Vegetarian Version Omit the chicken broth and use vegetable broth instead. Replace the salsa with a vegan-friendly variety. Add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika for additional flavor.
Mexican-Style Version Replace the salsa with a can of diced tomatoes with green chilies. Add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of chili powder for additional flavor.
Mexican Rice: Mexican Rice is a perfect complement to this Spiced Up Black Beans dish. It's easy to make and has a delicious flavor that pairs perfectly with the spiciness of the beans. Plus, it adds a great texture to the meal.
Guacamole: Guacamole is a great accompaniment to this Spiced Up Black Beans dish. It adds a creamy, flavorful contrast to the spiciness of the beans and creates a delicious combination. Plus, it's easy to make and adds a nice texture to the meal.
FAQ
Q: Can I use pinto beans instead of black beans?
A: Yes, you can use pinto beans instead of black beans. Just make sure to adjust the amount of chicken broth and salsa to your taste.
Q: Can I use canned beans instead of fresh?
A: Yes, you can use canned beans instead of fresh. Just make sure to rinse them off before adding them to the dish. You may also need to adjust the cooking time as canned beans are already cooked.
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Fun facts:
Fun Fact 1: The spices used in this recipe, cumin and chili powder, are believed to have originated in the Middle East and were introduced to Mexico by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Fun Fact 2: The famous Mexican-American singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez, also known as the Queen of Tejano music, was known to love her mother's black beans recipe. It's said to be a combination of beans, onions, garlic, and a special blend of spices.