If you’re looking for a simple, nourishing, and flavor-packed recipe, these Cuban Black Beans are about to become your weekly staple. These beans go into our Black Bean Buddha Bowl.
Recipe Quick Look: Cuban Black Beans
- 🕗 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 4 to 7 hours in the slow cooker, or 45 minutes in InstantPot
- ⏰ Total Time: 50 minutes or over 7 hours, depending on cooking method
- 🍽️ Servings: 10
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy – add ingredients to a slow cooker or Instant Pot and cook
- 🌿Diet: 100% whole food, plant-based vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, soy-free, nut-free, low-fat, a Starch Solution recipe.
- 🙏 Daniel Fast recipe and one of our wonderful meatless Lenten recipes
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Why You'll Love Cuban Black Beans
- Simple ingredients, big flavor
- Hands-off cooking using a slow cooker
- Perfect for meal prep and batch cooking
- Budget-friendly using dried beans
- Naturally vegan, oil-free, and gluten-free
- Extremely versatile for multiple meals throughout the week
This is one of my favorite dishes to meal prep because it's stress-free and easy to make. This tried-and-true dish is cooked in a slow cooker, making it hands-off once you add the ingredients. For this reason, it has become a staple in my home. I make them at least once a month. I know it may sound like a lot, but this meal is so versatile that I keep coming back.
Jump to:
- Recipe Quick Look: Cuban Black Beans
- Why You'll Love Cuban Black Beans
- Health Benefits
- Key Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Cuban Black Beans in the Slow Cooker
- How to Make Cuban Black Beans in the Instant Pot
- Expert Tips
- Pairings and Serving Suggestions
- Cuban Black Bean FAQs
- More Bean Recipes to Check Out
- Rate and Review This Recipe
- Cuban Black Beans
Health Benefits
- Black beans are rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and complex carbohydrates, making them excellent for sustained energy and satiety.
- High in antioxidants that support cellular health
- Rich in potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and is great for overall heart health.
- Low glycemic, supporting stable blood sugar levels
- Beneficial for gut health by feeding good bacteria
Key Ingredients
- Black Beans: The star of the dish. They provide a creamy yet firm texture and a mildly earthy flavor that absorbs all the aromatics beautifully.
- Garlic: Brings bold, savory richness. It infuses the beans with that classic Cuban flavor profile.
A full list of ingredients with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions and Variations
- Swap jalapeño for bell pepper if you prefer no heat
- For a canned option, try our quick and easy black bean soup that's ready in under 10 minutes.
- Add cumin or oregano for a more traditional Cuban flavor profile
- Stir in lime juice at the end for brightness
- Add chopped cilantro for freshness
How to Make Cuban Black Beans in the Slow Cooker
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a slow cooker.
Step 2: Cook for 3.5 hours on high heat or 7 hours on low heat. Salt to taste.
How to Make Cuban Black Beans in the Instant Pot
Step 1: Add all ingredients to the Instant Pot.
Step 2: Cook at normal high pressure in the Instant Pot for 30 minutes (bean setting) with natural release.
Expert Tips
- Cooking low and slow in the slow cooker improves texture and flavor
- Portion and freeze extra beans for future meals
- Fresh dried beans cook faster than older dried beans
- If beans are still firm, give them more time
- Salt to taste at the end to keep sodium levels
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Pairings and Serving Suggestions
While these easy beans can be served on their own, they're also the main source of plant-based protein in our Black Bean Buddha Bowl, made with brown rice, steamed kale, and our Air Fryer Plantains. They can also be used as a side dish for our Mushroom Fajitas.
Enjoy these beans in our Black Bean Breakfast Burrito, Black Bean Tortilla Soup, Black Bean Hummus, Vegan Black Bean Tacos, Southwestern Salad, Vegan Enchilada Casserole, or Vegan Sliders.
Toppings include: fresh chopped cilantro, diced avocado, Easy Homemade Salsa, Jackfruit Salsa, Homemade Guacamole, Spicy Chipotle Cream Sauce, or Cashew Sour Cream.
Besides its versatility, it is one for a novice cook. You can make this recipe with your eyes closed because it's just about throwing together a few ingredients, adding water, and setting your slow cooker or Instant Pot to go. Made with simple ingredients, these beans are a winner every time.
This recipe beats canned beans any day. Using dried beans is more budget-friendly than using canned beans. It also generates less waste. It's tastier, in my opinion. As a meal prep favorite, you can cook them in bulk to enjoy during the week or freeze them for later access. Usually, I make this on a Sunday, and it lasts through the week.
Learn more about how to cook dried beans in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, and on the stovetop.
Cuban Black Bean FAQs
An astounding YES! They are rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants, making them a highly nutritious choice for overall health. Beans are one of the healthiest foods you can eat!
If you are cooking dried beans on the stovetop, then yes, you’ll want to soak them. Not only does it reduce cooking time, but it also improves bean digestion. To learn more, check out these tips on how to make dried beans.
Contrary to popular belief eating beans can help you lose weight. Bean eaters are associated with lower body weight, slimmer waistline and less obesity overall. This is because they are low in calories and fat. In addition, beans are high in protein and fiber which helps with staying full for longer periods of time. The fiber and resistant starch in beans aids in regulating hunger and satiety hormones.
Cooking your beans is the healthiest way to eat beans because they do not contain added sodium and possibly other preservatives and harmful chemicals. However, canned beans can be a healthy option if they are in BPA-free cans and low in sodium. Always rinse your canned beans before eating them to wash away the excess sodium.
Leftover Cuban black beans store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. These beans are also freezer-friendly. Portion out and freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to four months.
If you want a recipe that works hard so you don’t have to, this is it! It’s simple, nourishing, and ridiculously versatile. Make it once, and suddenly your entire week of meals gets easier. Honestly, this is one of those recipes that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful.
More Bean Recipes to Check Out
Rate and Review This Recipe
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Cuban Black Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried black beans, picked over and rinsed (about 2 ½ cups)
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed a little, but kept whole
- 2-3 bay leaves
- 7 cups of water
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Place all ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on high heat for 3½ hours or on low heat for 7 hours or overnight.
- Salt to taste and add optional toppings or pairings.
Instant Pot
- Place all ingredients in the Instant Pot and set it to 30 minutes at normal high pressure (bean setting). Allow for natural release.
- Salt to taste and add optional toppings or pairings.
Gigi says
These Cuban black beans are the real deal. Wonderful for meal prep and versatile.