This recipe has been passed down for generations. It started in Cuba, came through New Jersey and now you can give it a try. It’s a truly authentic Cuban dish
Discover the Authentic Flavors of Cuban Black Beans
With this Cuban black beans recipe, prepare to embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Cuba with tantalizing flavors. Bursting with savory spices, and rich aromas, this classic dish is a staple of Cuban cuisine.
At Happy Plate Kitchen, we’re passionate about bringing global cuisines to your table, and our authentic Cuban black beans recipe is no exception. Whether you’re craving a comforting bowl of beans for a cozy night in or planning a Cuban-inspired feast for friends and family, this recipe is sure to impress.
Cuban Beans Rooted in Tradition
Our authentic Cuban black beans recipe stays true to tradition, using simple yet flavorful ingredients to create a comforting dish. Made with dried black beans, aromatic vegetables, and a medley of spices, this recipe captures the essence of Cuban home cooking in every spoonful.
What is “Sofrito”
In Cuban cooking, “sofrito” refers to a flavorful base mixture of aromatics that are sautéed together. It typically includes ingredients like onions, garlic, bell peppers, tomatoes, and sometimes herbs like cilantro or oregano.
Sofrito is used as a foundation for many Cuban dishes, adding depth of flavor and richness. It’s a fundamental component of Cuban cuisine, providing the starting point for building complex and delicious flavors in many traditional recipes.
For this recipe, the “sofrito” includes sauteeing the sweet onions, garlic, green pepper, and seasonings in the bacon fat.
How to Make Authentic Cuban Black Beans
- Prepare the Beans: Start by rinsing and sorting the dried black beans, removing any debris or impurities. Then, soak the beans in water overnight to soften them and reduce their cooking time.
- Cook The Beans In a Pressure Cooker: Add the prepared black beans to the pressure cooker covered with about 4 fingers of water above the beans. The more water you have, the more soupier the beans. I like mine with not too much liquid when they are done. I pour out most of the liquid once the beans are cooked, keeping just enough liquid to keep them from drying out.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet, cook the chopped bacon until cooked and set the bacon aside. Make sure to keep the bacon fat for the next step!
- Making the Sofrito: Using the same skillet, saute the chopped onions, chopped bell peppers, minced garlic, dried thyme, pepper, cumin, dried oregano, and ham seasoning and sauté until the onions are clear.
- Add Sofrito to Beans: Pour the Sofrito into the pressure cooker with the beans and mix them well, allowing the beans to absorb the flavors of the spices.
- Simmer to Perfection: Add about 1/2 tsp of salt, 1 large tbs of vinegar, and 1 1/2 tbs of sugar. Mix everything and simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes. Add the last package of ham flavoring
- Allow Beans to Cool: Let the beans cool off for a bit before tweaking the flavor. The cooling process allows the sugar and vinegar flavors to really come out.
- Finish with Flavor: It’s easy to over-sugar, over-salt, or over-vinegar this recipe so take it slow. If you find that it’s too sweet, then add more salt or vinegar. It will all balance itself out.
- Serve and Enjoy: Ladle the Cuban black beans into bowls over steamed white rice. If you want to get ultra-authentic, you can serve alongside fried plantains or crusty Cuban bread.
Equipment
- 1 Pressure Cooker
- 1 Large Skillet
- 1 Rick Cooker This is my all-time favor rice cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb Bacon
- 1 bag Black Beans
- 1 Sweet Onion – chopped
- 8 cloves Garlic – minced
- 1 Bell Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Thyme – dried
- 1/2 tsp Cumin – ground
- 1/2 tsp Oregano – dried
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Vinegar – white
- 1.5 tbs Sugar
- 3 pkgs Sazon Goya Ham Seasoning
Instructions
- In the pressure cooker, put 1 small bag of black beans covered by about 4 fingers of water above the beans.
- Pressure cook your beans for about 30 minutes
- Cook bacon in a large skillet until fully cooked
- Remove bacon and set aside – keep bacon grease in the skillet
- In the skillet, add onions, garlic, bell pepper, black pepper, thyme, 2 packages of Sazon Gayo ham flavoring, cumin, and oregano
- Mix and cook until onions are clear
- Add skillet mixture to beans in the pressure cooker
- Add salt, vinegar, and sugar – mix well over low heat for about 5 minutes
- Add 3rd package of Sazon Goya ham seasoning
- Allow to cool and tweak to your taste using salt, sugar, and/or vinegar
- Eat as is or enjoy over rice
