Cuban Black Beans

Ingredients

• 227 g (½ lb)dried black beans
• 475 ml (2 cups)vegetable stock
• 475 ml (2 cups)water
• 1 mediumbell pepper, diced
• 1 mediumwhite onion, diced
• 4 clovesgarlic, minced
• 1 tsppaprika
• ½ tspcumin
• ½ tspdried oregano
• 1 tspkosher salt
• 1 tspblack pepper
• 1bay leaf
• to tasteorange zest
• ½ mediumonion, sliced
• 3 clovesgarlic, chopped
• ¼ of the spice mixspice mix (paprika, cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper)
• 60 ml (¼ cup)orange juice
• 1–2 sprigsfresh oregano

Instructions

1. 1

   Soak the beans

   Soak the dried black beans overnight.

2. 2

   Mix the spices

   Combine the dry spices in a small bowl before cooking.

3. 3

   Sauté the onion

   Set the Instant Pot to medium sauté. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes.

4. 4

   Add garlic spices

   Stir in ¼ of the spice mix and the minced garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds.

5. 5

   Add beans liquid

   Add the beans, bell pepper, bay leaf, orange zest, vegetable stock, water and ¾ of the remaining spice mix. Mix well, then turn off sauté.

6. 6

   Pressure cook

   Fit the lid and make sure the vent is closed. Pressure-cook for 45 minutes.

7. 7

   Prepare sofrito

   While the beans cook, heat a skillet. The method calls for oil, then quickly sautéing the sliced onion, chopped garlic and peppers with a pinch of the remaining spice mix for 1 minute.

8. 8

   Blend the sofrito

   Transfer the sautéed ingredients to a food processor. Add the fresh oregano and orange juice, then process and set aside until the beans are ready.

9. 9

   Release the pressure

   Manually release the Instant Pot pressure. Remove the lid and switch the pot back to sauté.

10. 10

    Finish the beans

    Stir the sofrito and remaining spice mix into the pot. Cook for 20–30 minutes.

What are Cuban black beans?

Cuban black beans are a seasoned bean dish associated with Cuban home cooking, often served with rice. This version builds flavour in the pot with onion, garlic and spices, then adds a separate sofrito for a fresh, aromatic finish.

Orange juice and zest bring a citrus note, while oregano and cumin give the beans savoury depth.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 85 calories, 4g protein, 17g carbs, 1g fat.

The stated nutrition per serving is 85 kcal, with most of the carbohydrate coming from the black beans and a small amount from the orange juice and vegetables. The beans also provide the stated protein; the listed nutrition reports 1 g of fat. Serve with a generous portion of vegetables or salad if you want a more balanced plate.

Start with soaked beans

Overnight soaking: give the dried beans a long soak before pressure-cooking, as the method specifies. Drain them before using if there is soaking water left in the bowl.

Cooking liquid: vegetable stock and water form the base of the pot. Keep the beans covered by the liquid when combining the ingredients.

Build flavour in stages

Onion and garlic: sauté the diced onion first, then briefly cook the garlic with some of the spice mix. That short second stage helps distribute the seasoning without leaving the garlic cooking for long.

Sofrito: the method cooks sliced onion, garlic and peppers separately, then combines them with fresh oregano and orange juice in a food processor. The ingredient list does not give an amount of oil or a separate quantity of peppers for this step.

Use the spice mix carefully

Early seasoning: the method divides the spice mix between the initial sauté and the bean pot. Reserve the remainder for the finish, as directed, rather than adding it all at the beginning.

Orange: add the zest to the beans and the juice to the sofrito so both parts of the dish carry its citrus flavour.

Check the final texture

Pressure cooking: cook the beans for 45 minutes with the vent closed, then release pressure manually as the method instructs.

Final simmer: after adding the sofrito, cook for 20–30 minutes on sauté. Stir occasionally and check that the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened to your liking.

Plan for the full cooking time

Soaking: the overnight soak takes place before the stated 80-minute recipe time, so begin the day before you plan to cook.

Sofrito timing: prepare it while the beans are under pressure, then keep it aside until the pot is ready for the final simmer.

What to serve with the beans

Rice: serve the beans over or alongside rice to make a simple, satisfying plate.

Fresh sides: a crisp salad or cooked vegetables can add contrast to the soft beans and their rich, spiced cooking liquid.

Recipe notes & tips

• Soak the beans overnight so they are ready for the pressure-cooking step.
• Measure the spice mix into a small bowl before starting, then divide it as the method directs.
• Keep the sofrito aside until the beans have finished pressure-cooking.
• Use the pressure cooker's sauté setting for the onion and the final simmer.
• Check the beans for tenderness during the final 20–30-minute simmer.

Variations

• Citrus balance: add orange zest gradually so its flavour stays in balance with the spices.
• Herb finish: hold back a little fresh oregano to scatter over the beans when serving.
• Rice bowl: spoon the beans over cooked rice for a more substantial meal.
• Extra vegetables: serve with cooked greens or a crisp salad on the side.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping the soak: start soaking the beans the night before cooking.
• Burning the garlic: add it after the onion and sauté it for only 30 seconds.
• Using all the spice mix early: reserve the portions intended for the beans and the final simmer.
• Opening before releasing pressure: manually release the pressure before removing the lid.
• Expecting an exact sofrito amount: the method mentions oil and peppers without specifying quantities, so check the original recipe for clarification.

How to store

Cool leftovers promptly and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave until hot throughout, adding a splash of water if the beans have thickened.

Frequently asked questions