Caraotas Negras (Venezuelan Black Beans)
In short: Soft black beans simmered with onion, sweet pepper, garlic and cumin and a spoon of papelón, creamy and lightly sweet, the heart of pabellón. It takes about 2 h 5 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 5 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 310 kcal
Caraotas negras are the black beans Venezuelans eat with rice, arepas, fried plantain and grilled meat. They are cooked until the broth turns thick and almost creamy, with a sofrito of onion, sweet pepper and garlic and a little papelón or sugar that gives the pot a slight sweetness. Make a big pot on the weekend, because the beans improve each day.
Instructions
- Put the beans and water in a large pot and bring to a boil. Boil hard for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, partly covered, for about 50 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the onion and bell pepper for 8 to 10 minutes, until soft. Add the garlic and cumin and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir the sofrito into the beans with the sugar. Simmer for 40 to 50 minutes more, until the beans are very tender and the broth is thick.
- Stir in the salt and simmer for 10 minutes. Mash a ladleful of beans against the side of the pot to thicken the broth, then rest for 10 minutes before serving with rice, plantain or arepas.
Tips
- Add the salt once the beans are soft and keep the pot at a gentle simmer so the skins stay intact. A pressure cooker cooks soaked beans in about 25 minutes.
- A bay leaf or a few cilantro stems add depth while the beans simmer, and a spoonful of vinegar at the end brightens the pot.
Questions and answers
Do I have to soak black beans?
Soaking brings the cooking time down to about 2 hours. Unsoaked beans need 2 1/2 to 3 hours and extra water.
Why add sugar to black beans?
Venezuelan cooks add a little papelón or sugar to round out the earthy, savory beans. It should be subtle, not sweet.
Can I freeze caraotas negras?
Yes. Cool them and freeze in their liquid for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat, thinning with water if needed.
How long does it take to make Caraotas Negras (Venezuelan Black Beans)?
About 2 h 5 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Caraotas Negras (Venezuelan Black Beans)?
About 310 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 45 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 310 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 45 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
