Meet my go-to, foolproof black bean recipe! If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to cook black beans from scratch, this guide is for you. These beans are rich and creamy, yet lively and full of flavor. They rival the frijoles negros I’ve loved in Costa Rica, Mexico and Belize, and they make a delicious side dish or meal component.
Home-cooked black beans offer far more flavor than canned beans, especially when you include the right seasonings. I’m thrilled with how these turn out. Dried beans are also less expensive than canned beans, and they reduce waste (no cans to throw away).
Plus, black beans are very good for you. Black beans are rich in fiber and plant-based protein, and a fantastic source of folate, thiamin (vitamin B1), phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. If you’ve ever read that beans are “unhealthy,” it’s because beans contain lectins until they’ve been sufficiently cooked. Lectins, which are naturally present in many plant foods, are considered an anti-nutrient. If you’re eating properly cooked beans, as instructed below, there’s no reason for concern.
You might be surprised to hear that black beans are actually so blue that they appear black. Black beans are full of anthocyanins, a powerful group of flavanoids that also makes blueberries, purple cabbage and red onions so nutritious. You can read all about black bean nutrition here.
If you’re learning to cook dried beans, start them early. The wild card with dried beans is that you’ll never be 100 percent certain when they’ll finish cooking. Better to start cooking well before you’re in a rush for dinner. Let’s get to it!
You can cook black beans with or without soaking, but keep in mind that soaking beans ensures they’ll cook faster and more evenly. It can also make them easier to digest by reducing some of the gas-producing indigestible carbohydrates, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The Great Bean Debates
Here’s a compelling argument for not soaking beans by Kenji Lopez on Serious Eats. In summary, un-soaked beans require only marginally longer on the stove (as little as 20 minutes longer), have a deeper color (likely also more nutrients), and better flavor (less watered down).
Beans that are larger than black beans, such as chickpeas, may benefit from a soak. In my experience, soaking black beans is an unnecessary extra step.
Stovetop vs. Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
Cooking your beans on the stovetop is the way to go. I truly wanted to offer a reliable Instant Pot shortcut, but my Instant Pot bean experience has been too frustrating to recommend.
Here’s the problem: When you’re cooking beans in a pressure cooker, you can’t keep an eye on them. Cook times for beans in the Instant Pot vary with every batch, for reasons explained below. Many times, you’ll need to re-pressurize the pot and cook the beans longer. How much longer is always a guessing game. Sometimes, the beans cook unevenly because they run out of water along the way. Or, if you accidentally cook them a few minutes too long, the beans become mushy and bland.
You’ll also love stovetop black beans for their condensed, stewy cooking liquid. It’s delicious! You’ll never achieve the same nice cooking liquid with Instant Pot beans because the water can’t evaporate during cooking. Instant Pot beans will be watery, even if you manage to cook the beans properly—such beans would be fine as a replacement for drained canned beans, but they won’t make a great side dish on their own.
How to Soak Black Beans
FAQ
What happens if you don’t soak beans before cooking?
Do canned black beans need to be soaked?
How long do beans need to soak before cooking?
How long should you soak black beans before cooking?
However, most experts recommend soaking black beans for at least 6-8 hours or overnight, before cooking. This soaking process ensures that the beans absorb enough water to soften and cook evenly, while also reducing the cooking time.
What is the serving size of black beans?
You can consume as much black beans as you want. However, they can provide a lot of fiber, which can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. It is advisable to consume a portion the size of a normal plate.
Do black beans need to be hot soaked?
Hot soak the beans to save time. If the beans are in a stove-safe pot, turn on the cooktop and let them begin heating up. If you’re using a bowl, you can heat the water in a tea kettle first, then pour it over the top of the dried beans. Black beans will typically need 1-4 hours for a proper hot soak.
Do black beans need to be rinsed before cooking?
Wash the black beans in a colander. It’s a good idea to give the beans a quick rinse prior to soaking, especially if they’re visibly dirty. A preliminary rinse will sanitize the beans and start breaking down the waxy starches coating the outside of the beans that makes them take longer to cook.