Quick Cuban black beans are a staple in my house. I have a recipe that I use for special occasions for black beans from scratch but I don't always have time to soak beans overnight. These black beans are a quick and easy version of Cuban black beans that still taste amazing and cut down on some time!
This quick version of Cuban black beans starts with the same flavors of a traditional black bean recipe - peppers, onions, and garlic! These get sautéed in a skillet which adds so much more flavor than just tossing in raw ingredients! After these veggies are cooked, they get added to canned black beans, along with some extra seasonings. Using beans from the can is what makes these a "quick" version. And don't worry, it'll still taste like your Abuela simmered these in the kitchen for hours!
They're so easy and they can be eaten over white rice, as a soup, or drained and used in tacos or any of your favorite Latin recipes! You can also top them with some fresh chopped onions or cilantro or avocado!
These Cuban black beans are something that we make in our house so often (even more than the traditional black beans) since they're so easy! Both are equally delicious but this recipe just saves us some time!
Click the photo below to see how to make perfect white rice on the stove to go with your yummy black beans!
Quick Cuban Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 15.5 ounce cans of Goya black beans (not black bean soup)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped yellow onion (about half a small onion)
- ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper (about half a small green pepper)
- 1 large garlic clove - minced
- ½ cup water
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Instructions
- Add both cans of beans (NOT drained or rinsed) and the ½ cup of water to a saucepan and heat over medium/low heat.
- While your beans are heating, add your olive oil, onions, peppers, and garlic to a separate small skillet and heat over medium heat until everything is soft and translucent. (about 5-7 minutes)
- Once your beans are warmed and the vegetables are soft, take a slotted spoon and get a spoonful of beans (let the liquid drain out) and add the spoonful of beans to the skillet with the vegetables. (should be about ½ cup of beans but it doesn't need to be exact at all)
- Take the beans and vegetable mixture and press it down as much as possible to make a paste. I use a wooden spoon for this to make it easier. It's ok if not everything is completely smushed but you just want to incorporate the beans and vegetables together as much as possible.
- Once everything is incorporated, take everything from the skillet (beans and vegetables) and add it into the pot with the remaining beans.
- Add the rest of your seasonings to the pot. (Salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, sugar, vinegar.) Stir together and cook on medium/low heat for another 5 minutes and your done!
Joyce | Pups with Chopsticks says
Such a healthy and quick side dish! I am loving the flavours! I always have such a hard time with side dishes and just end up skipping it! Not anymore! 🙂
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Joyce! Side dishes are always hard for me too and we make these so often! 🙂
Diamond Jackson says
This was a really good recipe . Tastes homemade. Will definitely put this recipe in my rotation.
Nick says
This recipe is EPIC! It's the version I always rely on and come back to when doing Mojo Pork Shoulder. They are just a match made in Havana Heaven. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe 😃
Coco and Ash says
Aww thank you!
Nita says
Thank you for sharing this tasty recipe. These beans are so easy and good that I will make them again and again. When I have time, I plan on making the recipe you shared for dry beans. My whole family loved this recipe.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
I absolutely love black beans. One of my favorites. This looks like an easy tasty way to prepare them. Will be trying this soon 🙂
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
I love that this is vegetarian! And also that you used canned beans. Black beans are always a huge hit in our house.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you so much!
Lilly says
You should try adding bacon, delicious!!
Nichole says
I've never had Cuban style black beans, definitely going to try these out! Black beans are a favorite of mine, and I'd definitely eat these right out of the bowl as they are! 🙂
Coco and Ash says
Thanks!! I eat them like that a lot too 🙂
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes says
These beans look so good - quick, simple and ultra healthy. Definitely a speedy recipe I'll be bookmarking.
Coco and Ash says
Thanks Lucy! I hope you get to try them 😀
Nate says
I first ate this dish the other day at a Cuban restaurant. When I tried to make it on my own I have been a bit discouraged by all the recipes that tell you to soak the beans overnight. Your version with canned beans is super quick and easy and so so tasty! Tastes as good as the one I had at the restaurant! Thank you!! This is definitely going into my repertoire of weekday dinners 😀
Coco and Ash says
So glad you liked it!! I also have a recipe that involves soaking but I make this far more often!! 🙂
Chris says
Can these be made ahead and reheated right before serving?
Coco and Ash says
Totally!!
Kevin says
I must say that this was one of few recipes I found that was not only easy to follow and have it turn out the way the recipe author describes it, it is a true easy-to-make side dish in short amount of time! As someone who loves latin food in general, this will become a dish that I make frequently!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you!! Happy to hear!
Kadie says
Delicious and so easy!! My kind of cooking 😁
Meagan E says
Made these a few days ago for company. I love Cuban black beans but never have time for dried beans. These tasted authentic and were very easy. I swear the vinegar makes a big difference. Great recipe, my guests loved it. And it passed the test by my Cuban husband.
Laurie says
Have been looking for a good quick version of black beans for a few years and have been disappointed with every one I tried. This one was amazing! My daughter (who judges any restaurant by their beans and is quite picky about them) even loved it. And my 16 year old son who never eats beans even ate them.
Coco and Ash says
That makes me so happy! Thank you!
Lissa Miller says
I made these black beans tonight (and I am not a cook) but the recipe was easy. My husband and I visited Cuba 3 years ago and I fell in love with the black beans and have been craving them ever since. I am so happy to say that they turned out fantastic. I am so happy that I found your website and your cuban recipes . I will be making the beans again and gonna try some of those other recipes, especially the chicken one that you grew up eating.
I had originally thought that if the recipe turned out good that I would take it to Thanksgiving dinner, well they aren't going to last 2 days haha.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you so much Lissa!! I’m so glad you liked them! 😀😀
Annett Smith says
Made this today and it is delicious ! I can't find any nutritional info for this recipe though. Am I missing it somewhere?
Coco and Ash says
Thank you!! I do not post nutritional information on my site although there are plenty of sites that you can plug in the ingredients and get the info. 🙂
Katherine Fletcher says
Oh my goodness, this dish was amazing!!! I can't even describe how much we enjoyed it! Thank you!
Coco and Ash says
Thank you so much!
Betsy Coons says
These look delicious! I’m going to make them Sunday. How many servings does this recipe make?
Rocky says
Do you have a recipe for Cuban White Rice?
Coco and Ash says
I do not because I usually use a rice cooker but I'll have to post a stove top one soon!
Elizabeth Detrich says
Hello from San Francisco,
I'm new to your website and I LOVE it!
I grew up in South-West Florida, and was home sick for Cuban food. I made a batch of black beans and the Cuban Pork Roast, my family is in HEAVEN! Every plate was cleaned. Every. Drop.
This recipe is a success!
Thank you so much, this recipe made my day. 🙂
From my family to yours.
Coco and Ash says
Aww thank you!! So glad you’re enjoying!
Denise says
I’ve been making this recipe for a while but wanted to tell you it’s what made me like black beans. I’ve always been kind of wishy-washy about black beans. I could eat them or not and preferred not but this recipe is now one I make almost weekly! I’ve been making this recipe for a while but wanted to tell you it’s what made me like black beans. I’ve always been kind of wishy-washy about black beans. I could eat them or not and preferred not but this recipe is now one I make almost weekly! It’s so easy and quick and the finished product so versatile. Thank you.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you for your kind words Denise!!
ripon hassan says
Truly appreciate the way you made this wonderful recipe. Everything is so nicely described that really helped me.
Rachel Buerger says
Made them tonight. Very good tasting! Easy recipe and instructions. I used dried Mexican Oregano. Will freeze leftovers.
Coco and Ash says
Thank you Rachel!
Maggie says
Just made this with one can of beans and added half the ingredients. It’s delicious! I grew up eating Cuban food and this is better than the Cuban restaurant in my area now. Thank you for this recipe!
Brenda says
I make canned black beans cuban style quite often, this is the best recipe I have tried hands down!!! Thank you!!
carlos alvarez says
Will not replace my grandmother's but very good for a cold snowy day. I would cut back on the pepper but that's your taste.
brad says
Perfect