Cuban Black Beans

also called frijoles negros · black beans

Also written for Instant Pot (1 to wash).

Three ways to read this recipe

The table

Cuban Black Beans: ingredients down the left, what to do with them across. Tap any cell to cross it off.
1 largegreen bell peppersweat 10 mintoast 1 minsimmer 30 minseason, pull the bay leaves
1 largeyellow onion
5 clovesgarlic
1/4 cup(60 mL)olive oil
1 1/2 tspground cumin
1 tspdried oregano
1 lb(450 g; soaked overnight)dried black beanssimmer 1 1/2 hr
8 cups(1.9 L)water
2bay leaves
2 Tbsdry white wine
1 Tbscider vinegar
2 tspkosher salt
Tap anything to cross it off.

What to lay out

Everything the recipe asks for, sitting under the step that eats it. Tick each one as you measure it.13 things to get out.

Pans and tools

1sweat 10 min

2simmer 1 1/2 hr

3toast 1 min

goes in with what step 1 made

5season, pull the bay leaves

goes in with what step 4 made

Cooking it

Tap a step when it is done; the next one lights up.

The clock

Start to finish
at least 2 hr1 of 5 steps gives no time
Needs you
about 11 min
If you get it wrong
Unforgiving — the vinegar goes in at the very end: acid in with beans that are not yet soft sets the skins, and no simmering takes it back
What you'll wash
Two things — the bean pot, the skillet for the sofrito
Does it keep
4 days — better on the second, when the cumin comes forward and the beans soften without collapsing
  1. simmer 1 1/2 hr

    1 hr 30 minwalk away(we think)from the start

  2. sweat 10 min

    10 minneeds you(we think)from the start

  3. toast 1 min

    1 minneeds you(we think)10 min in

  4. simmer 30 min

    30 minwalk away(we think)1 hr 30 min in

  5. season, pull the bay leaves

    not timed2 hr in

You'll need skillet

Goes with

See how it is written
>> title: Cuban Black Beans
>> category: Rice, Beans & Grains
>> tags: beans, cuban, sofrito, stovetop
>> counters: Taquería, One Pot
>> aka: frijoles negros, black beans
>> servings: 6
>> time: 2 hr 15 min
>> slack: unforgiving — the vinegar goes in at the very end: acid in with beans that are not yet soft sets the skins, and no simmering takes it back
>> washing-up: the bean pot, the skillet for the sofrito
>> keeps: 4 days — better on the second, when the cumin comes forward and the beans soften without collapsing

>> step: simmer 1 1/2 hr
Simmer @dried black beans{1%lb}(450 g; soaked overnight) in @water{8%cups}(1.9 L) with @bay leaves{2} until tender, ~{1 1/2%hr}.

>> step: sweat 10 min
Sweat @green bell pepper{1%large}, @yellow onion{1%large}, and @garlic{5%cloves} in @olive oil{1/4%cup}(60 mL) in a #skillet{} for ~{10%min}.

>> step: toast 1 min
Toast @&(~1)sofrito{} with @ground cumin{1 1/2%tsp} and @dried oregano{1%tsp} for ~{1%min}.

>> step: simmer 30 min
Stir @&(~1)sofrito{} into @&(~3)beans{} and simmer uncovered for ~{30%min}, until the broth is thick.

>> step: season, pull the bay leaves
Season @&(~1)beans{} with @dry white wine{2%Tbs}, @cider vinegar{1%Tbs}, and @kosher salt{2%tsp}, then pull the bay leaves.