Cuban-Style Black Beans
Ingredients
- 1 lbblack beans
- 8 ccold water
- 2 mediumwhite onions
- 2 mediumgreen bell peppers
- 4bay leaves
divided
- 4 largegarlic cloves
- 1 tbspkosher salt
divided
- 6 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
divided
- ¼ cdry white wine
- 1 ½ tspground cumin
- 1 ½ tsporegano
- 1 tsptomato paste
- 1 tspground black pepper
- Chopped cilantro
- Lime wedges
Directions
- 1
Place beans in a large bowl, and add water to cover by 2 inches. Cover bowl, and let soak at least 8 hours or up to 12 hours. Drain well.
- 2
Stir together beans, 5 cups water, 1 onion half, 1 bell pepper half, and 2 bay leaves in a large pot or a programmable pressure multicooker (such as Instant Pot); bring to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer until beans are almost tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove and discard onion, bell pepper, and bay leaves.
- 3
Meanwhile, finely chop remaining onion and bell pepper halves. Smash garlic cloves on a cutting board using the flat side of a chef’s knife. Sprinkle garlic with 1 teaspoon salt; rub salt into garlic using side of knife to form a paste.
- 4
Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium. Add chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, and garlic paste; cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in wine, cumin, oregano, tomato paste, and remaining 2 bay leaves. Cook, stirring constantly, until tomato paste is incorporated and wine is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes.
- 5
Uncover beans, and stir in onion mixture, black pepper, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Increase heat to medium; simmer, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and liquid is thickened, about 30 minutes.
- 6
Season beans with additional salt to taste, and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Garnish with cilantro, if desired, and serve with lime wedges.
Cuban-Style Black Beans
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About this Recipe
Authentic Cuban-Style Black Beans, Made Easy
Dive into the rich, soulful flavors of the Caribbean with this incredible Cuban-Style Black Beans recipe! Forget soaking beans overnight; thanks to the magic of the pressure cooker, you'll have tender, perfectly cooked black beans in a fraction of the traditional time, ready in just 1 hour 30 minutes total. This makes enjoying authentic Cuban black beans at home easier than ever before.
What truly elevates these flavorful black beans is the vibrant, aromatic garlicky sofrito. This essential base, crafted from sautéed onions, green bell peppers, garlic, and a hint of dry white wine, cumin, oregano, and tomato paste, infuses every spoonful with an irresistible depth. It’s the secret to that classic Cuban taste you crave – savory, slightly sweet, and wonderfully aromatic.
These easy black beans are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a hearty main course over fluffy white rice, transforming a simple meal into a feast. They also make a fantastic side dish to any Cuban feast, complementing roasted pork, chicken, or plantains perfectly. For a fresh twist, a sprinkle of chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving adds a bright, zesty finish that truly makes them shine. Whether you're a seasoned chef or new to pressure cooking, this recipe promises delicious results every time.