Tillie Doyle
Cuban black beans, also known as frijoles negros, are a delicious and hearty dish that can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. This cooking method allows the beans to cook to perfection over several hours, resulting in a fragrant and tasty dish. The recipe typically includes onions, garlic, bell peppers, and various spices, creating a rich and complex flavour. The addition of lime juice and cilantro at the end brightens the dish and makes it a perfect side or main course.
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What You'll Learn
Soak the beans overnight
Soaking the beans overnight is optional but recommended. To do this, start by picking through and rinsing 1 pound of black beans. Then, cover the beans with 5 cups of water and soak them for at least 8 hours. Drain the beans and discard the soaking water the next day. Note that the only beans that need to be soaked and parboiled before adding to your slow cooker are red kidney beans, as they contain a toxic protein called phytohaemagglutinin.
If you didn't soak your beans overnight, you can do a quick soak by covering the beans with cold water and bringing them to a boil on the stove for 2 minutes.
One person who soaked their beans for 14 hours found that their recipe turned out too soupy, so be aware that the amount of water you soak your beans in and the length of time you soak them for can affect the consistency of your dish.
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Saute the vegetables
To sauté the vegetables, start by melting some coconut oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and bay leaves to the pan and cook until they are soft and fragrant. You can also add cumin and salt to the pan at this stage. Once the vegetables are soft, transfer them to the crockpot.
If you want to save some time, you can chop the onion, garlic, and peppers ahead of time and then sauté them when you are ready to start cooking. This will help you get a head start on the recipe and make the preparation process a bit faster.
It is important to note that the sofrito, which is a traditional Cuban aromatic base, is typically made by cooking garlic, onions, and green peppers slowly in olive oil. This is a key step in infusing the beans with flavour and creating a mellow taste that complements the other ingredients in the dish.
Additionally, if you prefer your beans to be softer, you can soak them in water overnight before adding them to the crockpot. This step is optional but recommended, as it can help speed up the cooking process and ensure that the beans are tender.
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Add spices and beans
To make Cuban-style black beans in a crock pot, you'll first want to sauté your spices and seasonings. In a frying pan, heat some coconut oil or olive oil over medium heat. Add your diced onions, bell peppers, and garlic, along with your bay leaves, and sauté until soft and fragrant. You can also add spices like cumin and oregano at this stage and cook until fragrant—about 30 seconds. If you're adding meat, like bacon, now is the time to cook it with your vegetables.
Next, you'll add your beans and water to the frying pan. Give everything a good stir, and then transfer it to your crock pot. You can also add vinegar at this stage if you'd like. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
If you have time, it's recommended to soak your beans overnight before cooking. To do this, cover the beans with water and add a tablespoon of vinegar or lime juice. Soak the beans for at least 8 hours, then rinse and discard the water before adding them to your crock pot. This will help ensure your beans are tender and not mushy.
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Cook for 3-8 hours
After adding the ingredients to the crockpot, you can set the timer and leave the beans to cook. The cooking time depends on the consistency you want to achieve. For creamy, tender, and not mushy beans, it is recommended to cook them for at least 4 hours. If you prefer softer beans, you can leave them to cook for up to 6 hours.
The longer cooking time will ensure that the beans are thoroughly cooked and will also allow the flavours of the spices and herbs to infuse into the beans. The low and slow cooking method is ideal for developing the flavours and creating a rich and hearty dish.
During the cooking process, you can check on the beans occasionally, but it is recommended not to stir them too much, as this can break them down and affect the final consistency. If you are using a slow cooker, the beans will benefit from the even heat distribution, and you can leave them to cook without constant monitoring.
After the beans have cooked for 3-8 hours, they will be ready to serve. Depending on your preference, you can adjust the consistency by mashing or smashing some of the beans against the side of the pot to make them creamier. You can also add some water if you prefer a soupier consistency.
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Add lime juice and cilantro
Once the crock pot has finished cooking, remove the lid and squeeze in the lime juice. Stir the contents of the crock pot until the lime juice is evenly distributed.
Next, add the cilantro. The amount of cilantro you add is up to you, but it's best to start with a small amount and gradually increase until you reach your desired taste. Stir the contents of the crock pot again to ensure the cilantro is mixed in.
Finally, season the beans with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add hot pepper sauce to taste, if you want to give your beans a little extra kick.
Your Cuban black beans are now ready to serve!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need black beans, onion, garlic, bell peppers, bay leaves, water, black pepper, cumin, oregano, and salt.
It takes between 3 to 8 hours depending on the temperature setting. The higher the temperature, the less time it takes.
It is recommended to cook on low heat for at least 4 hours. Cooking on high heat for 3 to 4 hours is also an option but may result in less tender beans.
Soaking the beans is not necessary but is recommended to improve texture and reduce cooking time. Soak the beans in water with vinegar or lime for at least 8 hours, then rinse and discard the water before adding to the crock pot.
Cuban black beans can be served with rice, marinated chicken, fried plantains, boiled yuca, or shredded beef.
