Mexican Black Beans Recipe (Frijoles Negros)

Mexican Black Beans (Frijoles Negros) are delicious and super easy to make! Made with simple pantry ingredients and packed full of fiber and nutrients, enjoy these restaurant-style black beans with all your favorite Mexican dishes including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.

What are Frijoles Negros? 

Frijoles Negros (meaning “black beans” in Spanish) is a well-known Latin American dish made with black beans. It is especially popular in Guatemala, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Venezuela (where it is called caraotas negras). 

There are many different ways of preparing frijoles negros. Some recipes are seasoned with ham, while others may be kept vegetarian. Some versions may be blended and soup-like, while others may be left thicker, with the beans still intact.

Today we’re making a Mexican-style black bean recipe. I am not claiming authenticity with this recipe as there are too many versions of “black beans” out there.

These yummy restaurant-style black beans, however, are a perfect side dish for any Mexican, Latin American, Caribbean, or Tex-Mex meal. 

How to Make Mexican Black Beans Recipe (Frijoles Negros)

1. Cook the onion and bell pepper until softened. Add the garlic, salt, and ground cumin. Mix well.
2. Add the beans. Include the liquid if you’re adding canned beans, or, if using your own pre-cooked black beans, add approximately 1/2 – 1 cup of water.
3. Bring to a gentle simmer. Stir often to prevent the beans from burning.
4. Stir in the cilantro and red wine vinegar.
5. Garnish with crumbled cotija cheese, fresh limes, or diced onion, if desired.
6. Enjoy!

Enjoy your frijoles negros with the following recipes,

Easy Vegetarian Enchilada Recipe
20-Minute Ground Beef Tacos Recipe
Mexican Mole Sauce Recipe (Chicken Mole)
The Best Guacamole Recipe
Classic Margarita Recipe (How to Make a Margarita)
Mexican Birria Recipe (How to Make Birria)
15 Minute Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas

Can the Beans Be Smashed Like Refried Beans?

Yes. Use a potato masher to mash up the entire batch of black beans directly in the pan, or mash only part of the black beans. If your beans become too thick, add a little water or chicken stock, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.

Can I Make This Recipe Using Pinto Beans? 

Absolutely. In fact, you’ll often find pinto beans served alongside your favorite Mexican food at your local Mexican restaurant. Simply swap the black beans for pinto beans and you’re good to go.

More black bean recipes to try,

Refried Beans (How to Make Refried Black Beans)

Easy Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Dip

Perfect Instant Pot Black Beans; No Soaking Required

Have you tried making these Mexican Black Beans (Frijoles Negros)?

Tell me about it in the comments below! I always love to hear your thoughts.

4.84 from 25 votes

Mexican Black Bean Recipe (Frijoles Negros)

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Jessica Randhawa

Mexican Black Beans (Frijoles Negros) are delicious and super easy to make! Made with simple pantry ingredients and packed full of fiber and nutrients, enjoy these restaurant-style black beans with all your favorite Mexican dishes including tacos, burritos, and enchiladas.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 15 minutes mins

Total: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 tablespoon oil, olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, etc.
• ▢ 1 medium onion, diced
• ▢ 1 green bell pepper, diced
• ▢ 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cumin, plus more to taste
• ▢ 2 (15.5-ounce) cans black beans, (approx. 3-4 cups cooked beans)
• ▢ water or chicken broth, if needed
• ▢ ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• ▢ 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ▢ Cotija cheese, crumbled, for serving

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Instructions 

• Add the oil to a medium-sized saucepan set over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened - approximately 5-8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Season with salt and cumin.
• Add the black beans. If you're using canned beans, add the beans with their liquid. If you're using your own cooked beans, add a little water (approximately 1/2-1 cup) so that there is enough water/liquid to prevent them from burning. Bring to a simmer, reduce to low heat, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• Stir in the chopped cilantro and red wine vinegar.
• Garnish with crumbled cotija cheese and fresh lime juice, if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

How many beans do you need to make this recipe? You'll need approximately 3-4 cups of cooked beans. You may cook dry beans in the Instant Pot/pressure cooker, on the stovetop, or simply add 2 (15.5-ounce) cans of beans. 

• 1/2 pound dried beans = about 1 cup dried beans = approximately 3 cups cooked 
• 1 15.5-ounce can black beans (with liquid) = 2 cups 
• 1 15.5-ounce can black beans (drained) = 1-1/2 cups 

For beans with a kick, add 1-2 diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper (start with 1/2 a teaspoon and add more to taste).

Optional seasonings - chili powder, chipotle powder, or dried oregano (about 1/2-1 teaspoon of each).

Nutrition

Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 71IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment below!