How to Cook Black Beans

Learn How to Cook Black Beans from scratch with this easy black bean recipe!  Here are a few simple tips for cooking dried black beans on the stovetop with just a few simple ingredients. Homemade black beans are slowly simmered on the stove and turn out tender and delicious every time. 

Cooking black beans from scratch is easy, affordable and they taste superior to canned.  Here you can learn How to Cook Black Beans with this simple five ingredient recipe.

Black beans make a perfect side dish to grilled chicken, fish or your favorite Mexican or TexMex dish.  They’re also great served alone with Pico de Gallo, avocado slices and plenty of warm flour tortillas!! Like with other dried legumes, dried black beans are a staple in my pantry. They’re inexpensive to buy and can be stored in the pantry for up to a year.

Black Beans Recipe

After soaking time, these black beans from scratch come together in about 2 hours.  I love everything about this black beans recipe!  It’s easy to make, requires few ingredients, and the beans turn out delicious every time! 

• Dried Black Beans
• Onion
• Garlic
• Bay Leaves
• Water 

Find printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Cook Dried Black Beans

If you’ve ever wondered how to cook dried black beans from scratch, it couldn’t be easier.  After soaking black beans overnight, they will simmer on the stove for about 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

• Soaking. Soak the dried beans overnight in water. This helps them cook quicker. Reserve half of the water the next day and discard the rest. After beans have soaked, drain and rinse.
• Add Beans to Pot. Add pre-soaked beans, onion, garlic and bay leaves to pot and with water to cover the beans by 3 to 4 inches.
• Simmer. Simmer on the stovetop for about 2 hours (if you leave the lid on = creamier beans, leave the lid off = richer flavor).  Simmer the beans a little longer if you like your beans creamy soft. Stir the beans every 30 minutes or so.
• Drain. Drain excess liquid before using.
• Season. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper

Do I Have To Soak Black Beans Overnight?

You don’t have to soak black beans overnight, but in order for the beans to be fork tender after cooking, they will need to soak for at least 8 hours, or you can give them the quick soak method.

Soaking Black Beans

Place your dried black beans in a colander and discard any shriveled and broken pieces, stones and pieces of debris you may find. Rinse under cold water then transfer beans to a large bowl. Fill the bowl with water covering the beans by 2 inches or more.  The beans double in size after soaking so give them some room to expand in the water. Let the beans soak in the bowl at room temperature for 8 hours or overnight.  

Quick Soak Dried Beans

If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to soak your beans overnight – you can do a quick-soak method. 

• Cover the beans with water (the water should be about 2 inches above the beans).
• Bring the water and beans to a rapid boil, then turn the flame off and let the beans sit in the hot water for about an hour.   
• Then cook as usual, checking  on your  beans every 30 minutes while they’re cooking and add more water or broth if needed.

How Long Does it Take To Cook Black Beans?

There’s two methods of soaking – either in a bowl of water for 8 hours or overnight, or the quick soak method in a pot of hot water for an hour. After they have been pre-soaked they can be cooked in a pot on the stove (I like to use a Dutch oven), in an Instant Pot or in a slow-cooker (Crock Pot).

• Cooking Black Beans on the stove. It’ll take between 1-1/2 to 2 hours to cook the beans. If you over-cook the beans, they will start to break apart and if you under-cook them, they will still be firm.
• Cooking Black Beans in an Instant Pot. It’ll take about 1 hour to cook the beans in an Instant Pot until they’re tender.
• Cooking Black Beans in a Crock Pot. Cook in a Crock Pot for 4 hours on high or between 6-7 hours on low. Stir about every hour and add more water or broth if needed.

20 Ways to Use Black Beans

After you learn how to cook black beans on the stove from scratch, add them whenever and wherever you can for the nutritional benefits they provide. Here’s 20 ways to use black beans and 15 black beans recipes to give you inspiration.

1. Soups

Add them to  soups like this Black Bean Soup

2. Stews

Use them to make vegetarian or vegan stews like this Black Bean Stew

3. Salads

 Toss them in salads like this Mexican Bean Salad,  Quinoa Black Bean Salad, Mexican Salad, Black Bean and Corn Salad

4. Veggie Burgers

Use them as a replacement for meat to make veggie burgers.

5. Burritos

 Add black beans to burritos like these Breakfast Burritos

6. Tacos

Stuff them inside tacos and Taco Bowls

7. Tostadas

Use refried black beans as a base to make tostadas

8. Quesadillas

Add them to quesadillas 

9. Baked Potatoes

Stuff them inside baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes

10. Pizza

Sprinkle them on Barbecue Chicken Tortilla Pizzas

11. Wraps

Add them to wraps

12. Casseroles

Add them to skillets and casseroles like this Turkey Chicken Enchilada Casserole and Chicken Fajita Casserole

13. Sauce

Use them to make a delicious black bean sauce like this Garlic Chicken with Black Bean Sauce

14. Stuffed Peppers

Stuff them in peppers (red, green and orange), rice, cheese and salsa

15. Side Dish

Simply season them and serve as a side or use them to make these creamy Black Beans with Coconut Milk and these Cuban Black Beans

16. Dips

Use them to make a dip like this Chipotle Black Bean Dip and serve with tortilla chips

17. Refried Beans

Mash them up to make refried beans

18. Chili

Replace pinto beans or kidney beans with black beans when making chili

19. Breakfast

Serve them for breakfast as Huevos rancheros or toss them in a frittata like this Spanish Frittata

20. Desserts

Use them to bake with like black bean brownies.

Looking For More Legume Recipes?

• How to Cook Lentils
• How to Cook Chickpeas
• How to Cook Pinto Beans
• Mediterranean Bean Salad
• Vegetarian Borracho Beans