Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Bean Stew)
Local name: Frijoles negros
In short: Soft black beans simmered with a garlicky sofrito, cumin, oregano and bay leaf into a thick, savory pot, ladled over white rice. It takes about 2 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 40 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 435 kcal
Frijoles negros are the everyday pot of Cuban cooking, a thick black bean stew that goes over white rice at lunch and dinner. The beans simmer until soft, then they are joined by a sofrito of onion, green pepper and garlic cooked in olive oil with cumin and oregano. A splash of vinegar and a pinch of sugar finish it, balancing the earthy flavor. Cooks mash a few beans into the broth for body. It tastes better the next day.
Instructions
- Put the soaked beans, water, bay leaf and pepper half in a large pot. Boil hard for 10 minutes, then lower the heat and simmer partly covered for 1 hour, until the beans are nearly tender. Add hot water if the level drops.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and chopped pepper for 8 minutes until soft and lightly golden. Add the garlic, cumin and oregano and cook for 1 minute.
- Scoop a ladle of beans and a little broth into the skillet and mash them with the back of a spoon into a rough paste. Scrape the mixture back into the pot.
- Add the salt, vinegar, sugar and black pepper. Simmer uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring now and then, until the beans are completely soft and the broth is thick and glossy.
- Remove the bay leaf and pepper half, taste for salt and vinegar and serve over white rice.
Tips
- For a smokier pot, stir 1/2 tsp smoked paprika into the sofrito with the cumin and oregano.
- To save time, pressure cook the soaked beans for 25 to 30 minutes at high pressure, then add the sofrito and simmer for 15 minutes.
Questions and answers
Why add sugar to black beans?
A small spoonful balances the acidity of the vinegar and the earthy beans. Many Cuban cooks add it by habit, and you can leave it out.
Do I have to soak the beans?
Soaking shortens the cooking time and gives more even beans. Without soaking, add about 45 to 60 minutes to the first simmer and top up with more water.
How long do cooked black beans keep?
Refrigerated they keep for 5 days, and they freeze for 3 months. They thicken as they sit, so thin them with water when reheating.
How long does it take to make Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Bean Stew)?
About 2 h in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Frijoles Negros (Cuban Black Bean Stew)?
About 435 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 75 g of carbohydrates and 8 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 435 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 75 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 580 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
