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Seasoned Black Beans Side Dish

This seasoned black beans recipe is the perfect side dish for tacos, burritos, and Mexican dishes! Easy to make with canned black beans

4 servings of seasoned black beans in a bowl with a fork

Every once in a while, I get a craving for black beans. That craving usually isn’t accompanied by a craving for anything else. 

My favorite recipes include a can of black beans, but I don’t always want to stand at the stove for hours.

Or I don’t feel like making a burrito or a black bean cake, it’s too darn hot for black bean soup, or I’m not in the mood for any of my favorite black bean recipes.

When these days happen, I open up a few cans of black beans (cause there are always at least 5 waiting in my pantry) and mix up this easy Mexican black beans recipe.

This is a delicious side dish meant to be eaten alongside some rice and maybe tacos. It features simple ingredients and makes adding plant-based protein to your diet easy.

closeup photo of black beans side dish

This easy recipe would be great with grilled chicken fajitasbean burrito casserole, or creamy taco pasta. This would be great with most Mexican food, so pick your favorite main dish and get started.

Or you could just eat the black beans. More than a few times, I’ve made this basic recipe to eat as a side dish. I would put a burrito on a plate, spoon on some Mexican rice, and a heaping helping of seasoned black beans.

I’d sit down to eat and eat a few spoonfuls of the beans. Then, a few more. And wrap up the burrito and rice for tomorrow. 

seasoned black beans topped with fresh cilantro in a colorful bowl

Simple Black Bean Side Dish

This is the best quick seasoned black beans recipe. It’s super easy to make, especially if you have cans of black beans always sitting in your pantry like I do. 

These easy black beans are seasoned with fresh lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and my all-time favorite spice blend, taco seasoning

It may sound funny, but my taco seasoning mix is full of my favorite flavors and perfectly accompanies the lime juice and cilantro.

black beans side dish topped with cilantro

How To Make Seasoned Black Beans

Drain the canned beans and rinse off all of the bean “juice” they’re packed in – it is usually full of salt, and I like to add my own amount for health and taste reasons.

Replace the liquid with vegetable broth (you can use chicken broth if you want to), add the rest of the ingredients, and bring everything to a boil. 

Simmer until the liquid is reduced, and you are Good. To. Go.

You can be like me and eat these seasoned black beans for dinner or eat them as intended, as a side dish. 

I won’t judge either way.

Top them with some sour cream, an extra squeeze of lime juice (or two!), and maybe some green onions or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.

In 20 minutes, you’ll have a great side dish on the dinner table, ready to be served with your favorite Mexican cuisine.

How to Store Leftover Seasoned Black Beans

Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within three days.

Mexican black beans in a bowl on a cutting board
closeup photo of black beans side dish

Seasoned Black Beans Side Dish

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

This seasoned black beans recipe is the perfect side dish for tacos, burritos, and Mexican dishes! Easy to make with canned black beans.

Ingredients

  • 2 15.5-ounce cans of black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • juice of 2 limes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup diced fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • salt to taste

Instructions

  1. Combine the drained black beans, broth, lime juice, minced garlic, diced cilantro, taco seasoning, and cumin in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. When the liquid has reduced y half, and there is a thick gravy, season to taste with salt. Serve hot.

Notes

Make your own taco seasoning!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: ½ cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 262mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 6gSugar: 4gProtein: 6g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and may not be correct.

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Whit

Tuesday 10th of September 2019

Awesome recipe. My wife and I loved this recipe. I made it tonight and she was very impressed. And my wife is an expert on all things black beans.

Ann

Saturday 1st of September 2018

Hi, made this tonight, it's delicious! Thanks for giving the nutritional information, but can you also share the serving size? My husband is tracking his calories and wants to know exactly how much he can eat.

Jenny

Saturday 1st of September 2018

Hi Ann, happy to hear you liked this side dish! I just went in and updated the nutrition information using veryfitwell.com to account for 1/2 cup servings. Please let me know if I can provide any more information.

Ben

Saturday 1st of September 2018

The nutrition information says 868 calories per serving, but there's nothing here to indicate what a serving size is.

Jenny

Saturday 1st of September 2018

Hi Ben, thanks for reaching out. I just went in and updated the nutrition information using veryfitwell.com to account for 1/2 cup servings. Please let me know if I can provide any more infor.

Grace Oetting

Thursday 5th of January 2017

So simple and SO good!! I have made it several times and my family LOVES it.

Jenny

Saturday 7th of January 2017

Thank you Grace!

Sahana

Sunday 17th of April 2016

Such an simple and delicious dish. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty. We would love to have you again next week.

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