Black beans is easier to cook with than it looks. Here's how to choose, use, and store them, what to substitute, and 445 recipes to get you started.

What are black beans?

Black or turtle beans, of which there are many varieties, are smaller than red kidney beans, oval in shape. The off-black skin hides a whitish interior.

They are extensively used in soup, especially in the Southern parts of North America where they are grown.

In South America the are used in a large number of bean dishes.

The oldest type of beans are still a staple today, whether low-cost meals or high-flavor dishes are the criteria.

Dried Bean Purchasing Guide

Dried beans should be clean, uniform in size and quality. Today dried beans are usually sold pre-packaged and a reliable brand will guarentee clean, uniformly sized beans.

1 pound, raw = approximately 2 1/3 cups

1 pound, cooked = approximately 6 cups

Storage

After opening the package place the unused beans in a clean, tightly covered container and store on the pantry shelf.

Kitchen shelf: 1 year

Refrigerator shelf, cooked, covered: 3 to 4 days

Refrigerator freezer, cooked beans and cooked bean dishes, prepare for freezing: 1 month

Deep Freezer, cooked beans and cooked bean dishes, prepared for freezing: 4 to 6 months

Basic Preparation

Packaged beans are usually sorted and washed before packaging, so need only be rinsed.

Bean bought in bulk should be sorted carefully, discarding broken and defective beans, and washed until the water runs clear.

It's a good idea to soak the beans to replace some of the water lost during the drying process.

In general, if directions are not given on the package, use the amount of water called for in the recipe; save the nutritious soaking water to use in cooking the beans.

There are two ways of soaking dried beans:

1. Quick method: Measure the soaking water into a large, heavy pot. Add the washed beans and bring to the boil. Cover the pot and cook for 2 minutes; remove from heat and let stand for one hour, then cook according to recipe directions.

2. Overnight method: Measure the soaking water into a large pot; add washed beans; cover pot, and let stand for 6 to 8 hours. To prevent souring and hard skins the two minute boil above is recommended even when the beans are soaked overnight.

Add one teaspoon of salt per cup of soaked beans. If ham, bacon or salt pork is to be added use a smaller amount of salt.

Always try to cook in the soaking water. Cover the pot and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer according to the recipe.

Stir carefully but not too often to avoid breaking apart the beans. When done they should hold their shape as well as be tender. Cooking time can range from 20 minutes to 1 ½ hours depending on the type of bean and how long they have been stored.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find black beans: Black beans are usually found in the canned goods section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Black beans are a member of the Legumes and Legume Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

黑豆

British (UK) term

Black beans

en français

haricot noir

en español

frijoles negros

How much do black beans weigh?

Amount	Weight
1 cup	172 grams

Related

Legumes and Legume Products

Recipes using black beans

There are 445 recipes that contain this ingredient.

All 445 recipes

More black bean recipes

• Amazing Black Beans
• Bangkok Bean Burgers with Peanut Cilantro Sauce
• Bean' N Rice Skillet
• Black Bean & Potato Soup
• Black Bean Burgers
• Black Bean Chili with Cilantro
• Black Bean Chowder
• Black Bean Fiesta
• Black Bean Sausage with Tofu & Fresh Corn
• Black Bean Soup (Jeremy Rifkin's)
• Black Bean Soup Chipotlesmoke
• Black Bean Soup with Cilantro & Orange
• Black Bean Soup with Cumin
• Black Bean, Corn, & Jalapeño Salad
• Black Bean, Sweet Potato & Corn Stew
• Black Bean-Stuffed Peppers
• Black Beans Cuban-Style
• Black Beans with Bean Curd
• Calabacitas
• Caribbean Black Beans
• Chicken Monterey with Black Beans
• Chinese Tuna Steaks on the Grill
• Classic Black Bean Hummus
• Cumin Quick Black Bean Soup
• Curry Rice & Spinach
• Delicious Black Beans
• Famous Black Beans & Rice
• Gallo Pinto
• Low-Fat Black Beans & Rice
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Orange Basil Black Beans
• Potato Skins with Salsa & Cheese
• Refreshing Black Bean Soup
• Sally's Black Bean & Rice Salad
• Spanish Black Bean Soup
• Spiced Black Bean Soup
• Vegan Black Bean Soup
• Vegan Black Beans
• Vegetarian Quick Black Bean Soup