Black Beans-Cuban Style
Creamy, savory black beans seasoned with garlic, onion, bay leaf, and vinegar, perfect for hearty meals or as a flavorful side for rice and grilled dishes.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Soak black beans overnight in cold water.
- Rinse beans in the morning and cover with fresh water in a crock-pot.
- Add all ingredients except salt, pepper, and vinegar to the crock-pot.
- Cook until the beans are tender.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add vinegar and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
- Serve over white rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For extra flavor, consider adding a smoked paprika or a dash of cumin to the beans while cooking. If you don't have a ham hock, you can substitute with diced bacon or smoked sausage for that smoky flavor. Make sure to soak the beans long enough to ensure tenderness; overnight soaking is ideal. You can also use canned black beans for a quicker version, just adjust cooking times accordingly.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the black beans over a bed of fluffy white rice for a classic pairing. They also go well with avocado slices, diced tomatoes, and fresh cilantro sprinkled on top. For a complete meal, consider serving alongside grilled chicken or fish, or even with sides like Southern Greens And Ham Hocks for an extra hearty dish.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm them on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. You can also microwave in intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Black Beans-Cuban Style contains roughly 559 calories, with 28g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (106% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (93% of the Daily Value), and protein (56% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 598mg per serving (26% 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 canned black beans instead of dried?
Yes, you can use canned black beans for a quicker option. Just rinse and drain them, and add them to the crock-pot with the other ingredients, reducing the cooking time significantly since they are already cooked.
What if I don’t have a crock-pot?
If you don’t have a crock-pot, you can easily make this dish on the stovetop. Just simmer the soaked beans in a large pot with all ingredients (except vinegar) for about 1-2 hours, until tender, then add vinegar and cook for an additional 30 minutes.
How can I make this dish vegetarian?
To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the ham hock and use vegetable broth instead of water for soaking and cooking the beans. You can also add extra vegetables like carrots or zucchini for added flavor and texture.
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).