These Cuban black beans in the instant pot are low fat, high in fiber,
gluten-free, vegan, and the best part delicious.
Black beans are the
essential side dish to any Cuban meal. This easy instant pot Cuban black beans recipe can be made up to a few days ahead of time to get flavors deeply like you spend hours simmering them. In reality, it takes you from dry to fully cooked less than an hour.
You will be so surprised how delicious these Cuban black beans are when you cook them in the instant pot with half of the time it takes to cook them on the stovetop.
These Cuban black beans instant pot is loaded with lots of
flavors easy to make and ready in less than an hour.
In Cuba, black beans (frijoles negros) are a classic Cuban side dish serving with rice. Every family adds its special touches or ingredient to this dish.
While most Cuban finish the dish with vinegar and sugar, others add a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro.
Some Cuban people like their black bean soupy in consistency, while others like to mash some of the beans to make the dish thicker in
consistency.
How to season black beans Cuban style?
Traditionally if you are cooking black beans in the stove, you will need to make a sofrito to season the Cuban black beans. But since you are going to make this recipe in way less than the time it takes to cook on the stove, you will add more of the ingredients in the pressure cooker.
The ingredients you'll need for this instant pot black beans cuban recipe are:
Dry black beans: Are the most common beans in Cuban cuisine.
Onion: Onions come in a wide
range of colors, sizes, flavors, and shapes. The most common onion colors are white, yellow, and red.
Garlic: Has long been a common seasoning worldwide.
Bell pepper: Are one of the most versatile ingredients known to man. And you can use any color you like.
Oregano: People have used it for thousands of years to add flavor to dishes
Bay leaves: It contains enzymes that help break down proteins and digest food faster, helping to calm
indigestion.
Vegetable broth: you can also use low sodium chicken broth
Olive oil: Avocado oil works great as well
Coconut sugar: This is optional
Vinegar: Optional as well
How to make Cuban black beans in the pressure cooker
To make Cuban black beans in the instant pot is so easy and quick and you don't need to soak the beans.
STEP 1. Add the dry black beans, onion, garlic, bell pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and vegetable broth in the inner pot of
instant pot, stir.
STEP 2. Place the lid and lock in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position. Press the
manual/pressure cook button set to high pressure for 35 minutes.
STEP 3. When the cooking cycle has finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 20 minutes. Then do a quick release of the remaining pressure by turning the steam release knob to the release position. When the metal pin in the lid drops down, you can open the cover facing away from you.
SETP 4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste; coconut sugar, vinegar and add the olive oil.
STEP 5. Press the saute
settings and let the beans simmer, stirring occasionally. Until desire consistency. (I simmer mine for 3 minutes because I like with a little soup consistency)
How to thicken Cuban black beans?
There are few ways to make your Cuban instant pot black beans thinker, the best approach to form a paste mashing some of the beans.
I like to smash some of the beans a couple of times in the pot with the back of the spoon while
simmering them in the saute setting. But you can take 1/2 cup out of the pot and smashed them with a potato masher or a fork and stir them back to the pot.
What to serve with Cuban black beans
If you want to make a Cuban theme dinner, you need to serve it with rice, of course; white rice or brown rice works pretty well,
and quinoa is another excellent option. And you cannot forget the fried plantains and the ropa vieja (Cuban shredded beef).
Other options you can serve these Cuban black beans.
Burrito
Tostada or tacos
Grilled chicken or steak
Pork chops
Taco bowl
For the salad, you need to go with something light and no gassy, like mixed green or any lettuce you like and try to avoid broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, etc. Why? Because it can make you gassy, but if you don’t mind going for it, my friend.
Can you freeze this black beans recipe
Yes, you can freeze this black beans Cuban instant pot. You can double or triple the recipe and freeze leftovers to
have on hand when you need a quick dinner on the table.
To freeze first, you need to let the beans cool completely before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or an air-tight container.
It is better to freeze them in portions sizes for easy reheating and serving.
Cooked Cuban black beans can keep in the freezer for up to 3 months or in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat, you want to make sure you avoid the black beans turning to mush by heating them on the lowest temperature while still maintaining a very gentle simmer.
You should try these instant pot recipes.
Best instant pot Brown rice
Easy instant pot Quinoa
Instant Pot Boneless Pork Chops
If you want to make taco or burrito Instant pot chicken tinga is the best.
Check more instant pot recipe here
And if you have the instant pot air fryer lid check some of my favorite recipes here.
Ingredients
1 cup dry Black Beans
1 medium yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (color of your choice, I used red) seeded and diced
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 bay leaf
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth or water
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon coconut sugar (optional)
1 teaspoon vinegar (optional)
Fresh cilantro, to garnish.
Instructions
Add the dry black beans, onion, garlic, bell pepper, oregano, bay leaf, and vegetable broth in the inner pot of your instant pot, stir.
Place the lid on the pot, and lock it in place. Turn the steam release knob to the Sealing position (or DON'T press the release knob for the newest model). Press the manual/pressure cook button (or dial) and the + or - button (or dial) to choose 35 minutes. The
pot will take a few minutes to build up the pressure before the timer starts.
When the cooking cycle has finished, let the pot sit undisturbed for 20 minutes. Then do a Quick Release of the pressure by turning the knob towards the Venting position (or pressing the release knob). When the metal pin in the lid drops down, you can open the cover facing away from you.
Remove the bay leaf. Season with salt and black pepper to taste;
coconut sugar, vinegar and add the olive oil.
Press the saute settings and let the beans simmer, stirring occasionally. Until desire consistency. Stir in cilantro. Serve and enjoy!
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough
estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.
Thank you for reading enjoy clean eating. If you make this instant pot Cuban black beans recipe, don’t forget to rate it and comment on how you like it. Also, you can share with me on Pinterest or Instagram your creation.
What is Cuban black beans and rice?
Congrí is a quintessentially Cuban take on beans and rice. In this dish, black beans and rice are cooked together—rather than separately—which gives the rice its signature congrí (with gray) shade. This also makes it a bit drier, though it's an equally delicious transformation.
How do you make Mexican rice with black beans?
Directions.
Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and coriander; fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds. ... .
Add tomato, frozen corn, oregano, and cilantro; stir to coat. Stir in black beans and salsa. ... .
Remove from the heat and stir in cooked rice until coated..
How long should I cook beans in the Instant Pot?
Pressure cook on high pressure: 30 minutes for unsoaked beans or 15 minutes for soaked beans. Let the Instant Pot natural release for 15 minutes. Quick release any remaining pressure. Open the Instant Pot lid.
How long does it take to pressure cook beans in a pressure cooker?
Place seasoning and beans in pressure cooker. Cover with about 1 1/2 inches of hot water over the level of the beans. Be sure to not fill the cooker over half way. Cook for 22 to 30 minutes, depending on the variety.
