Jamaican Black Beans
A hearty Jamaican black beans dish infused with spices, rum, and beer, perfect for flavorful vegetarian meals or as a side with rice and grilled meats.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. black beans ⓘ
- 6 c. water ⓘ
- 18 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 can beer ⓘ
- 1/4 c. dark rum ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp. minced garlic ⓘ
- 2 onions ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. butter ⓘ
- 1 c. crushed tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. cumin ⓘ
- 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. cilantro ⓘ
Instructions
- Drain the black beans after soaking overnight.
- In a large saucepan, add water, chicken bouillon cubes, beer, rum, minced garlic, and chopped onions.
- Simmer for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Add crushed tomatoes, cumin, Tabasco, chili powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and butter.
- Continue to simmer for an additional hour.
- Serve the beans as is or topped with sour cream, preferably over rice.
Tips & Substitutions
For a thicker consistency, mash some of the beans with a fork during cooking. If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, replace the beer and rum with vegetable broth. You can also use canned black beans for quicker preparation, just reduce cooking time. Adding a bit of lime juice before serving brightens the flavors.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Jamaican black beans over fluffy rice for a hearty meal. They pair well with cornbread or plantains for added texture. Top with a dollop of sour cream or avocado for creaminess. These beans also make a great filling for burritos or tacos, adding a Caribbean twist to your meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the mixture. You can also microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Jamaican Black Beans contains roughly 1070 calories, with 63g protein, 187g carbohydrates, and 16g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (222% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (178% of the Daily Value), and protein (127% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1620mg per serving (70% 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 beans instead of canned?
Yes, dried beans work well! Just soak them overnight and adjust the cooking time accordingly. You may need to add extra water and cooking time to ensure they're tender in the final dish.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Absolutely! To make it vegetarian, simply omit the chicken bouillon cubes and substitute with vegetable broth. This will maintain the flavor while keeping the dish plant-based.
What can I do with leftovers?
Leftover Jamaican black beans can be used in various ways. Try them in a burrito bowl with rice and veggies, or blend them into a dip for tortilla chips. They also freeze well, so consider portioning them out for quick meals later.
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).