A white bowl full of cooked black beans , topped with cilantro, cojita cheese and sliced red jalapeños.
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How to Cook Black Beans - Vegetarian Black Beans

Vegetarian Black Beans are creamy, flavorful and easy to make. Enjoy a filling meal (without a lot of calories) or pair them with tacos for an easy side dish. Learning how to cook black beans is easy. Whether you use the stovetop, slow cooker, pressure cooker or Instant Pot this blog will tell you everything you need to know about how to cook black beans!
Course Vegetables and Side Dishes
Cuisine Vegan and Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Calories 18kcal
Author Souper Chef Deb

Ingredients

  • 1 pound black beans dried
  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 4 cups vegetable stock or water
  • 1 to 1 1/2 tsp salt do not add salt until the beans are completely cooked
  • green onions, cheese, sliced jalapeños for garnish as desired optional garnishes

Instructions

  • Pour the dried beans into a colander. Carefully pick thru them, removing any rocks, dirt clods or blemished beans.
  • Rinse thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, set aside.
  • Peel and dice the yellow onion, mince the garlic.
  • Set your Instant Pot on sauté and allow to heat for one minute.
  • Add the olive oil and diced onions, sauté for 3-4 minutes. Add the clove of garlic and sauté for another minute or so, just until the garlic becomes fragrant. 
  • Add the remaining ingredients except the salt and enough liquid to cover 1 inch above the level of the beans.
  • Add the Instant Pot lid and seal. Turning valve to seal. Change to manual setting and set timer for 45 minutes.
  • When the timer is done, natural release (NR) for 10 minutes.
  • Check seasoning - this is the time to add salt. You'll need to add 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to taste. 
  • Top with sliced jalapeños, salty cojita cheese and sliced green onions.

Notes

If you add salt at the beginning of the cooking process the texture of the beans becomes tough. Do not add salt until the beans are completely cooked and then add salt accordingly.

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 478mg | Potassium: 53mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 7.4% | Vitamin C: 1.8% | Calcium: 1.7% | Iron: 6%