How to Make the Perfect Mexican Style Black Beans

 You guys, I eat a lot of beans.  We are not vegans or vegetarians per-say, but the majority of our meals are plant-based. We have found this to not only be a healthier option for our family, but it helps keep our grocery expenses under control as well.  That being said, these aren't always the most flavorful meals.  I mean, let's face it, how delectable can beans possibly be?  Well, that is until now.  Let me introduce to you How to Make the Perfect Mexican Style Black Beans!

These Mexican Style Black Beans are creamy, buttery, and full of great flavor.  They will enhance any Tex-Mex recipe it are great as a side dish all on their own.  There is no denying these will be the best black beans you have ever had in your life and I can't wait to share this recipe with you so...

Let's Get Started!

WHAT MAKES THIS THE PERFECT MEXICAN STYLE BLACK BEANS?

Have you ever eaten beans at a Mexican restaurant and ask yourself "Why are these so good?"  We all head home and hit the internet looking for the perfect copy-cat recipe. There are a million and one recipes on how to make good black beans.  Soak, no soak, crockpot, Instant Pot, stove top, I think Pinterest pretty much has it all covered.  So what makes this recipe stand out above the rest?  The answer is simple, I asked a lovely Mexican woman how she makes her beans.  They are always so flavorful and I wanted to know her secret.  I have to be honest, it was not what I expected.

I was prepared with pen and paper, ready to write down an extensive list of chilies and spices, but her recipe couldn't have been farther from that.  She uses simple aromatics that most of us have in our homes, water, time, and love.  That's it!  Let me tell you, I could eat these Mexican Style Black beans by the bowl full they are that good!  

CAN I USE CANNED BEANS FOR THIS RECIPE?

Okay, let me say this.  Sure.  You can use canned beans and then cook them for a while in the aromatics and they will be better than straight out of that can, but I feel like the key to making the PERFECT Mexican Style black beans is making them from scratch.  Magical things happen during that long cook that transform the black beans and infuse them with remarkable flavor.  

HOW ARE THESE BLACK BEANS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BLACK BEANS?

The answer is the three step cooking process. 

1. The Soak:  Soaking the beans the night before make for a quicker cooking time and helps our bodies digest the fiber a lot easier. 
2. The Aromatics and Long Cook:  By cooking the aromatics along with the beans you are infusing the beans themselves with great flavor as the water is soaked into them.  The long cooking time gently breaks down the bean and gives it a creamy texture that is unlink the dry tough texture you get with quick cooked or canned beans.  
3. The Pan Sauté:  Once the beans are fully cooked they are sautéed in a pan to further break the bean down and create a buttery texture.

WHAT DO I NEED TO MAKE THESE PERFECT MEXICAN STYLE BLACK BEANS?

You don't need a lot.  

• A soup pot
• 1 pound bag of dry Black Beans
• 8 cups Water
• 1 Onion, halved
• 4 Cloves of Garlic, whole
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 stems of Cilantro
• 1 Onion, diced

Enough talk, let me show you How to Make the Perfect Mexican Style Black Beans.