How to Cook Black Beans

If you’re wondering how to cook black beans like a pro, this comprehensive guide is exactly what you need! Learn about black bean nutrition, helpful conversions, step-by-step instructions for three cooking methods, and some ideas for recipes.

🫘 All about black beans

Black beans, also known as turtle beans, are small, shiny, and dark-colored legumes that are popular in Latin American, Cajun, and Creole cuisines.

They’re named for their dark skin with cream-colored flesh that’s revealed once they’re cooked. Black beans have a satisfying, meaty texture, making them a staple in vegetarian and vegan diets.

They belong to the Phaseolus vulgaris species and are part of the Fabaceae family, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family. This large plant family also includes soybeans, peanuts, and lentils and is characterized by its fruit, which is a type of pod known as a legume.

🏋️ Nutrition and health

Black beans are known not only for their flavor but also for their impressive health benefits. These beans are brimming with 15 grams of fiber per cup, a nutrient most of us don’t get enough of.

And let’s not forget about their protein content! Each cup of black beans offers a whopping 15 grams of plant-based protein as well.

Black beans are also rich in these essential vitamins and minerals: 

• Potassium: Essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure.
• Iron: Helps your blood cells transport oxygen.
• Copper: Aids in energy production and iron absorption.
• Magnesium: Contributes to muscle function and protein synthesis.
• Manganese: Helps with energy production and antioxidant defense.

🤨 Dried vs canned

When it comes to choosing between dried and canned beans, you might be wondering “Why opt for the longer process of cooking dried beans when canned beans offer more convenience?” Here are some reasons why you should reconsider:

• More economical: Dried beans tend to be less expensive. While canned beans are convenient, they’re typically 2 ½ times more expensive. This price difference can add up, particularly if you’re using them on the regular.
• Control over sodium: Canned beans often contain high levels of sodium, up to 500 milligrams per half-cup. Cooking dried beans allows you to better control your sodium intake.
• BPA: Many canned foods contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that may cause adverse health effects. By cooking your own beans, you avoid exposure to this potentially harmful substance.
• Flavor profile: Lastly, and arguably most importantly, home-cooked beans simply taste better. They offer a buttery soft and subtly sweet taste and texture that canned beans just can’t match.

⚖️ Conversions

You can use the following conversions as a helpful starting point when you’re first learning how to black beans. Just keep in mind that these are guidelines:

• ⅓ cup of dried black beans = ~1 cup of cooked beans
• 1 cup of dried black beans = ~3 cups of cooked beans
• 2 cups of dried black beans = ~6 cups of cooked beans
• 1 pound of dried black beans = ~2 cups of dried beans
• 1 can (15 ounces) of black beans = ~½ cup of dried beans
• 1 can (15 ounces) of black beans = ~1 ½ cups of cooked beans

♨️ Equipment

Before you get started, you’ll need to decide which cooking method to use. Essentially, there are three options — stovetop, electric pressure cooker, and stovetop pressure cooker.  All three methods work well, but they differ in terms of time requirement, skill level, and the ultimate taste and texture of the beans.

• Stovetop: While it is the most time-consuming method and requires the most hands-on attention, it is also the most universally accessible option since most individuals own a pot.
• Electric pressure cooker: For those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands, an electric pressure cooker (like the Instant Pot) is a great option. It has done-for-you cooking settings, allowing for a more hands-off approach.
• Stovetop pressure cooker: This method strikes an optimal balance between affordability, time efficiency, and result consistency. Although it does require some initial attention to build up pressure over high heat, the subsequent process is straightforward.

⚖️ Conversions

While not exact, these conversions should give you a good starting point for cooking black beans:

• 1/3 cup dried black beans = 1 cup cooked beans
• 1 cup dried black beans = 3 cups cooked beans
• 2 cups dried black beans = 6 cups cooked beans
• 1 pound dried black beans = 2 cups dried beans
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans = 1/2 cup dried beans
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans = 1 1/2 cups cooked beans

📝 How to cook black beans

Step 1: Rinse the beans

Begin by rinsing the beans in a colander to remove any residual dirt. Carefully check the beans over to ensure there are pebbles or anything else that could potentially damage your teeth post-cooking.

Step 2: Soak the beans

Prior to cooking beans in a regular pot, we recommend soaking them. This will significantly reduce the overall cooking time. You have three soaking options:

1. Overnight soak: Place the beans in a container and add water until the level is 2-3 inches above the beans, allowing room for expansion. A soaking duration of approximately 12 hours is optimal. Drain and rinse the beans prior to cooking.
2. Quick soak: If you’re short on time, place the beans in a pot with water and bring it to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the beans rest in the water for 2 hours to soften. Note that this method may result in the beans not remaining intact during the cooking process.
3. No soak: For those who opt for pressure cooking, soaking is not a requirement. Note that the skins may split more frequently with this method, which only impacts the appearance rather than the quality of the beans.

Through years of testing, we’ve never noticed much difference in digestion between soaked vs unsoaked beans, but many people believe soaking to be beneficial. It ultimately depends on how much time you have or how the beans affect your digestion.

Step 3a: Stovetop

1. Add the beans to a pot and cover it with 3-4 inches of water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir and reduce the heat to a simmer.
2. Periodically stir the beans to prevent them from sticking to each other and the pot. Depending on the age of your beans, the cooking time can take between 1 ½ to 2 hours.
3. While the beans are cooking, make sure to taste them. If they are soft and creamy, they are done. If they start to appear dry, add more hot water to maintain a consistent temperature.

Step 3b: Stovetop pressure cooker

1. Before starting, always inspect the rubber seal on the inner portion of the pressure cooker lid for any damage.
2. Add the beans to the pot and cover them with about 2-3 inches of water, making sure you don’t go past halfway up the pot for safety reasons.
3. Secure the lid, ensuring it’s locked and the valve is down. Heat the pot on the stovetop over high until you start to hear a “hissing” noise from the pressure release valve.
4. Reduce the heat to low and set a timer for 40 minutes. Once the time is up, turn the stove off and allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally.

Note: Familiarize yourself with the safety features of your specific stovetop pressure cooker as they can vary between models.

Step 3c: Electric pressure cooker

1. Add the beans to your Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker. Cover the beans with 2-3 inches of water, ensuring you don’t go past the “max fill line.”
2. Secure the lid and close the pressure valve. Set your pressure cooker for 30 minutes on high power. Once the timer goes off, allow the pressure cooker to release pressure naturally.

Note: All pressure cookers vary slightly, so check your manual for more specific instructions and cooking times. Our experience is based on using the Instant Pot and Power Pressure Cooker XL.

If you have questions about how to cook black beans, check out our FAQs or leave a comment down below!

🌡️ Storage

• Dried: Dried beans can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to a year. Do not mix older beans with new ones as the cooking time changes the longer they’re stored.
• Fridge: Once cooked, black beans can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-6 days. If the beans aren’t showing any signs of spoilage beyond this timeframe, they’re likely still safe to consume.
• Freezer: Allow the beans to cool completely before transferring them to freezer-safe containers or bags. Cover the beans with the cooking liquid and freeze them for up to 6 months, although 3 months is optimal.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen beans in the fridge overnight, in a bowl of cold water, or defrost them in the microwave. Alternatively, they can be cooked from frozen if the recipe allows for it.
• Meal prep: We always have a batch of beans on-hand for quick, easy, and budget-friendly meals. When we run out, we throw on another pot. This is such a time saver, especially for busy households.

A note on freezing: If you’re using freezer bags, remove all the air and store them flat to maximize storage space. If you’re using containers or jars, leave room at the top for expansion. To play it safe, initially freeze containers with the lids loosened, then tighten them once the beans are frozen.

🧑‍🍳 Top tips

• Rinse the beans: Start by thoroughly rinsing the black beans in a colander. This step helps remove any dirt or foreign materials.
• Inspect for foreign materials: Post-rinsing, inspect the beans carefully to ensure there are no pebbles or other foreign substances. This could potentially damage your teeth when eating.
• Soak before cooking: Soak your beans before cooking them in a regular pot. This reduces the cooking time significantly. There are three soaking methods you can choose from – overnight soak, quick soak, and no soak.
• Stir occasionally: During the cooking process, make sure to stir the beans occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the pot. Obviously, this is only necessary on the stovetop.

🍴 Black bean recipes

Now that you know how to cook black beans, you need to try some of our favorite black bean recipes like these:

• Mexican Black Bean Soup
• Sweet Potato Salad
• Sweet Potato Black Bean Quesadillas
• Crispy Black Bean Tacos
• Enfrijoladas
• Refried Beans
• Memelas
• Sopes
• Fajita Veggies

💬 FAQ

Note: We’ve updated this post to include new information and helpful tips about the recipe.