Ingredients
Method
- The night before cooking (8-12 hours prior), cover the beans with water and soak them overnight to reduce cooking time.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a medium-sized saucepan.
- Add the diced onions and cook for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Add the bay leaf, black beans, water, and salt (if desired). Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 1 hour or until the beans are tender.
- Serve the black beans warm.
Notes
- Soaking the black beans overnight significantly reduces cooking time and helps them cook more evenly. If you skip this, expect cooking time to double.
- For perfectly tender black beans, ensure they are fully submerged in water throughout the simmering process. Add more hot water if needed to keep them covered.
- Store cooked black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze in portions for up to 4 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge or gently warm on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if they seem dry.
- To check for doneness, taste a few black beans—they should be tender but not mushy. If they're still firm after an hour, continue simmering, checking every 15 minutes. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.
- For perfectly tender black beans, ensure they are fully submerged in water throughout the simmering process. Add more hot water if needed to keep them covered.
- Store cooked black beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze in portions for up to 4 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge or gently warm on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if they seem dry.
- To check for doneness, taste a few black beans—they should be tender but not mushy. If they're still firm after an hour, continue simmering, checking every 15 minutes. Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.