Black Bean Sauce
A vibrant and flavorful black bean sauce featuring colorful peppers and fresh cilantro, perfect for adding a spicy, savory touch to rice dishes. Its bold flavors and quick preparation make it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, appealing to lovers of hearty vegetarian options and Asian-inspired cuisine.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over moderately high heat.
- Add sliced red, green, and yellow peppers along with crushed garlic; sauté for 5 minutes, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in undrained black beans and minced cilantro.
- Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a little water to create a slurry.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture into the skillet to thicken the sauce.
- Serve the black bean sauce over hot cooked white rice with lime wedges if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of cumin to the black bean sauce. If you're out of chicken broth, vegetable broth can be a great substitute. You can also use frozen bell pepper strips if fresh ones aren't available. Sauté them until they're tender for the best texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant black bean sauce over hot cooked white rice to soak up the flavors. For a complete meal, pair it with a refreshing side salad or steamed vegetables. Adding lime wedges enhances the dish's brightness, and it also pairs beautifully with Chicken And Vegetable Stir-Fry for a delightful dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover black bean sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it appears too thick. It can also be microwaved in short intervals, stirring in between.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Black Bean Sauce contains roughly 1452 calories, with 39g protein, 283g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (768% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (122% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 750mg per serving (33% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried black beans instead of canned?
Yes, you can use dried black beans. Soak them overnight and cook until tender before adding them to the recipe. You'll need to adjust the amount of chicken broth, as dried beans will absorb more liquid during cooking.
How can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make this black bean sauce vegetarian, simply replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth. This will keep the flavors rich while keeping the dish plant-based. You can also add more vegetables for extra texture and nutrition.
What can I add for more protein?
To boost the protein content, consider adding cooked chicken, shrimp, or tofu to the dish. Stir-fry these proteins with the peppers before adding the black beans for a hearty, satisfying meal that fits well into many Chicken recipes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).