Black beans are a quintessential Hispanic side dish that is so simple to make and takes your house down to South Florida with amazing flavor.
Now, if you've been a recurring visitor (in which case, whoo hoo!) you know that I am a Southern Belle, never living above the Mason-Dixon, though visiting past it regularly.
It doesn't mean I've always lived in the 'Southern' states.
Miami is below the Mason-Dixon, but it's another world entirely.
I grew up in Miami for about ten years, I have to say it was basically living in another country compared to the rest of the States, especially food wise. Chicken, beans and rice was the go-to dinner if you can't think of anything else, Publix makes flan in-house, even at my old job we had cafe con leche on constant flow throughout the day and night to stay awake, and arroz con pollo was served as school lunch.
So I know my way around some black beans and rice, honey. But I cannot, for the life of me, make them look very attractive. It's black beans, onions and bell peppers. When I know more about food photography, I will come back to these photos. My husband, Brian, is sure y'all really don't notice.
Black beans has to be one of the easiest recipes ever, and if you want your house to smell like you have an abuela in the kitchen, put on a pot of these and your whole house will smell like all of my friends' mom's houses.
Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe here!
I made this and photographed it with this Cilantro Lime Rice recipe. It's a Chipotle copycat, and it's so good!
You'll be so surprised at how easy these beans are to make, and how delicious they are. They transport me and my house back to Miami every time.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Cuban Black Beans and Rice
Cuban black beans are a quintessential South Florida side dish that is so simple to make and takes your house down to South Florida with onions, bell peppers, and spices.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ large yellow onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cans (15.5 oz each) black beans, one drained
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Set a pot on medium heat and pour in vegetable oil. Saute bell pepper and onion slices to gain a little color, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and let cook briefly, maybe ten seconds, then dump in beans with one can's liquid.
- Add cumin and stir, then raise heat to medium high. Allow to come to a simmer, then take the heat to low and cook for thirty minutes. Don't let the liquid run out (it shouldn't be hot enough to boil)
- After thirty minutes kitchen should be very fragrant, add salt and pepper to taste and the lime juice.
- Serve with white rice or cilantro lime rice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 39Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 50mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g
Eden Westbrook is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Sweet Tea and Thyme. A classically trained chef, Eden has inspired home cooks into the kitchen with cultural comfort foods, easy family-friendly eats and sweets, and glorious spreads for date night and entertaining since 2015.
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