Dive into a bowl of delicious vegan Guatemalan black beans! This made-from-scratch dish is packed with irresistible flavor and healthy nutrients. They are so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. You can enjoy them as is or use them in any recipe that calls for black beans!
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This tasty black bean recipe is a very popular dish in Guatemala. These beans can be eaten in many different ways.
You can eat these simple, yet amazing black beans as a side dish or a full meal. It’s great to serve over rice or use for other recipes that call for black beans.
They are wonderful in a breakfast burrito, for a filling lunch, or a nutrient-dense dinner!
It’s such a bonus that black beans, which are also called turtle beans, are loaded with vitamins and nutrients. They are high in vitamin C, fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
I find that they are a scrumptious must for my vegan diet. In addition to being vegan, these black beans are naturally gluten-free and oil-free!
Meal Ideas for Black Beans
Guatemalan-style black beans are just the complement for many types of dishes! Here are a few ideas…
- In cold bean salads
- As the main course or a side
- Over rice or corn in a burrito bowl
- With sautéed potatoes for breakfast
- In a tortilla with veggies as a taco or burrito
- Refried with non-dairy milk, as a dip, or a tostada topping
For more wholesome recipes with beans, be sure to check out my White Beans, Burrito Bowl, Southwestern Black Bean Burgers, Rotel Dip, Jalapeño Popper Dip, Taco Casserole, and Buffalo Dip recipes. They are all plant-based and incredibly irresistible!
Reasons You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy to make
- Very hearty and filling
- Packed full of nutritious benefits
- Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free
- Versatile – can be used in a variety of meals
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Ingredient and Substitutions
- Beans – A one-pound bag of dry, uncooked black beans is the main ingredient of this recipe. Although they take longer to prepare than canned beans, the process is almost effortless and so worth it!
- Onion– I like to use a white onion, but you can certainly use another type, such as yellow, red, or sweet.
- Garlic – Just a couple of large garlic cloves offer a delicious aromatic flavor.
- Seasoning – Three simple spices help take this meal over the top. All you need is salt, pepper, and ground cumin. You can add in any other favorite spices as well!
- Water – These beans really only need water to cook in, but you can definitely use vegetable broth if you want! Note: Add less salt if using broth.
How to Make Guatemalan Black Beans
Here are some quick visual steps. Find the full recipe with exact measurements on the recipe card below.
Pick through the dry black beans to discard any that are heavily discolored and any pebbles.
Rinse them and soak them in a large bowl. Let them soak overnight or for at least 8 hours.
Drain the water and rinse them again. Pour the beans into a large pot, fill it with water, and bring it to a boil.
Lower the temperature to medium, stir the beans, and cover the pot. Let this simmer for 1 hour.
Start to prepare the seasoning after the beans have cooked for about 45 minutes.
Sauté the onions until they’re translucent. Add the garlic and seasoning. Cook them for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
Stir in the seasoned mixture and then cover the pot again. Cook the beans for another 20-40 minutes.
Then, check their tenderness. The cook time can vary based on the age, freshness, and soak time of the beans.
Cook them until they are softened, but not mushy. If they are easy to bite through, then they are done. Generally, beans should be ready in less than 2 hours.
Enjoy the beans right away, save them for later, or add them to another dish!
How To Make Refried Guatemalan Black Beans
Heat a large pan over medium heat. Coat it with a little bit of avocado or olive oil. Then, add your desired amount of cooked black beans. Use a potato masher to mash them as they heat up in the pan. Continue to stir them until most of the excess liquid has cooked off and the beans become a thick and creamy mixture.
Notes and Variation Ideas
- If needed, add a little bit more water to the pot of beans throughout the cooking process. You want the water level to remain slightly above the bean line.
- Use any type of onion you have on hand.
- Add any other favorite seasonings you like, such as parsley, sage, cayenne, etc.
- Garnish with toppings of your choice, such as vegan cheese and fresh herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black beans can be made ahead of time and then stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Let them cool completely before placing them in an air-tight container. Refrigerate them for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat the refrigerated black beans, simply reheat them on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir them every minute or so to help distribute the heat. If the beans were frozen, let them thaw out in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and eating them.
I hope you loved this recipe! If you try it, please let me know what you think with a rating and comment below. Your feedback really supports my blog and is helpful to other readers! 🙂 You can stay updated on my latest recipes by following me on Pinterest and joining my Email List.
Guatemalan Black Beans
Bonnie – Serene Trail
Equipment
- large bowl for soaking
- large pot with fitted lid
- small nonstick sauté pan
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dry black beans, (454g)
- 8 cups water, (1.9L)
- 1/2 of a white onion, diced
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Look through and discard any heavily discolored beans or pebbles from the dry black beans. Rinse the beans, place them in a large bowl, and fill the bowl with water. The water line should be 2-3 inches above the beans. Soak the beans overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- Drain the water from the soaked beans and rinse them again. Add them to a large pot along with 8 cups of water. Bring the beans to a boil over high heat. Let them boil for 1 minute and then lower the heat to medium. Stir the beans, cover the pot, and let them simmer for 1 hour.
- Prepare the seasoning after the beans have cooked for 45 minutes. Heat a small, nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and sauté them for 3 minutes or until they soften. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin. Let this cook for 2 more minutes.
- Stir the seasoned onion mixture into the beans and cover them back up. Cook them for about 20-40 more minutes, then check their tenderness. Cook them until they are softened, but not mushy. Generally, beans should be ready in less than 2 hours.
- Enjoy them right away, save them for later, or add them to another dish. You may want to add more seasoning according to your preference and garnish them with toppings such as cilantro, jalapeños, and lime juice.
Video
Notes
- If needed, add a little bit more water to the pot of beans throughout the cooking process. You want the water level to remain slightly above the bean line.
- No water or oil is needed when sautéing the seasoning as the fresh onion provides plenty of moisture.
- Use any type of onion you have on hand.
- Add any other favorite seasonings you like, such as parsley, oregano, sage, cayenne, etc.
- The cook time for beans can vary based on their age, freshness, and soak time.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate from third-party calculations.
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Great simple recipe that turns out delicious! Thank you!
This is great to hear!
Love Guatemalan recipes!
Same here!!
Simple and great tasting recipe, thanks!
I’m so happy to hear that you liked these black beans!