Quick Seasoned Black Beans

$1.33. recipe / $0.33 serving

Written by Beth - Budget Bytes

Jump to Recipe GROCERY LIST FAVORITES

Side dishes shouldn’t be complicated. They’re the supporting actor for your meal, so keep them fast and simple enough that they don’t outshine your main dish. These Quick Seasoned Black Beans are the perfect example. With just a few extra ingredients and about 15 minutes, a plain can of black beans can be transformed into a delicious and hearty side dish for any of your southwest inspired meals. And honestly, I wouldn’t be above just scooping up these beans with a tortilla chip or two! :P

Originally posted 6-15-2010, updated 4-28-2019

A wooden spoon lifting some quick seasoned black beans out of a sauce pot, jalapeños and green onion on the side

What to Serve with Quick Seasoned Black Beans

As mentioned above, these easy beans make a great side dish to any southwest-inspired meal. But you could also simply spoon them over a bed of hot rice, sprinkle a little cheese on top, and go to town! Add them to your burrito bowls, serve them with enchiladas, alongside some fajitas, with Chipotle Lime Chicken and Rice, or with some Fish Tacos. You really can’t go wrong with beans as a side.

A pot of quick seasoned black beans, with a wooden spoon, jalapeños and green onion on the side
Print Recipe Grocery List Favorites
4.75 from 8 votes

Quick Seasoned Black Beans

With just a few simple ingredients, these Quick Seasoned Black Beans are a fast and flavorful side dish for your weeknight dinners.  
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 6 about 1/2 cup each

Ingredients

  • 1 jalapeño ($0.18)
  • 1 clove garlic ($0.08)
  • 1 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.04)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin ($0.05)
  • 2 15oz. cans black beans ($0.98)

Instructions

  • Slice the stem off the jalapeño, then cut it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds (leave a few in if you prefer your beans spicy), then finely dice the rest of the jalapeño. Mince the garlic.
  • Add the diced jalapeño and minced garlic to a small sauce pot with the cooking oil and cumin. Sauté over medium heat for about one minute.
  • Add the beans (do not drain) and bring to a simmer over medium to heat through. Taste and season with salt if needed. Serve hot.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!

Nutrition

Calories: 142.68 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 21.12 g ・ Protein: 7.67 g ・ Fat: 3.43 g ・ Sodium: 436.48 mg ・ Fiber: 7.73 g
Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclaimer here.
The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products we use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Close up of quick seasoned black beans in the sauce pot, being lifted by a wooden spoon.

How to Make Seasoned Black Beans – Step By Step Photos

Jalapeño cut open on a wooden cutting board

Cut the stem off a jalapeño, then slice it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scrape out the seeds, leaving some in if you prefer your beans spicy. Dice the remaining jalapeño flesh. Mince one clove of garlic

Diced jalapeño, minced garlic, cumin, and oil in a sauce pot.

Add the diced jalapeño, minced garlic, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1 Tbsp cooking oil to a small sauce pot. Sauté these ingredients over medium heat for about one minute to soften the garlic and toast the cumin.

A can of black beans being poured into the sauce pot.

Add two 15oz. cans of black beans, NOT drained, to the sauce pot. Stir to combine, then bring it up to a simmer over medium heat to heat through. 

A pot of quick seasoned black beans, with a wooden spoon, jalapeños and green onion on the side

Taste the beans and season with salt if needed (I did not add any salt as the canned beans had plenty).