Frijoles Volteados (Guatemalan Turned Black Beans)
Local name: Frijoles volteados
In short: Black beans mashed and fried with onion until thick and dry, shaped into a glossy roll and served with fried plantain and tortillas. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 545 kcal
Frijoles volteados, literally turned beans, are a Guatemalan breakfast staple. Cooked black beans are pureed and fried with onion in a little oil, stirred until the paste is thick enough to pull away from the pan, then folded over itself into a smooth, shiny roll. It is simple, filling and gently smoky, and it is usually eaten with fried plantain, warm tortillas, fresh cheese and cream, often beside eggs.
Instructions
- Heat the 3 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes until golden.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Puree the beans with their liquid in a blender until nearly smooth.
- Pour the puree into the skillet. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring and scraping the pan, until the paste thickens and starts to pull away from the sides in one mass.
- Season with salt. Push the mass to one side of the pan, then use a spatula to fold it over itself to form a thick oval roll.
- While the roll rests, heat the remaining 2 tbsp oil in a second skillet over medium heat. Fry the plantain slices for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Slide the roll onto a plate and serve warm with the fried plantain, tortillas, and cheese or sour cream if you like.
Tips
- Beans cooked from dried give the best flavor. Use their cooking liquid in place of the canned liquid.
- Make the roll ahead, then reheat slices in a skillet with a little oil until crisp at the edges.
Questions and answers
What does volteados mean?
It means turned or flipped, and refers to the way the thick bean paste is folded over itself in the pan to make a roll.
Can I make frijoles volteados with other beans?
Yes. Red or pinto beans work, but black beans are the classic choice and give the dark color.
Can I freeze frijoles volteados?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and re-fry in a little oil to refresh the texture.
How long does it take to make Frijoles Volteados (Guatemalan Turned Black Beans)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Frijoles Volteados (Guatemalan Turned Black Beans)?
About 545 kcal per serving, with 14 g of protein, 83 g of carbohydrates and 17 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 545 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 83 g |
| Fat | 17 g |
| Fiber | 17 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
