A confession: I avoided black beans for nearly a decade, after being scarred by my mother’s frequent cooking of them during my high school years. Thanks to the open floor plan of my childhood home, the scent wafted throughout the house relentlessly. I don’t know why it was so offensive at the time, but just the mention of black beans made me nauseous for years after I left home.
Fast forward a few years, with a new baby in the house, and it became unavoidable as I researched real food options for babies that I would, in fact, have to learn to cook black beans. (Black beans are a good source of protein, iron, magnesium and folate.) It was one thing to order black beans on the side when out to eat, but I still shied away from making them at home.
Recently, the boy requested that we start observing “Taco Tuesday.” Now, he doesn’t eat tacos, but that didn’t deter him from the idea. He figured I’d make him a quesadilla and the rest of us would have tacos. For week one, I made these cider baked beans and pork carnitas. Week two I had less time, so used chicken breast for the meat — but the boy was so excited about the beans that he decided to try a bean and cheese “taco” (really, more like a burrito). And last night he asked for it again — so I think we have a winner on our hands. Now, I also used bacon in the beans — so it’s not a meatless recipe — but it won praise from my previously bean-adverse husband as well.
You could use dried beans and cook this the slow way — but thanks to my favorite Eden Foods canned beans (BPA-free and no added salt), this can be ready in 20 minutes flat. Just enough time to warm tortillas and prep the other taco fillings and accompaniments. (I think half the reason the boy requested taco night was for the all-important tortilla chips and salsa.) Thanks to the Washington Post, whose recipe for cider baked beans inspired me to add the sweet boiled cider here.
Recipe: Cider Black Beans with Bacon
Ingredients:
- 1-2 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/2 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 15-ounce can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons boiled cider*
- 1/2 cup water
- pinch salt and black pepper
Instructions:
In a Dutch oven or large saucepan, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Add onion and cook 3-4 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add beans, stir and cook one minute. Add boiled cider and water and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, stirring just once or twice, for about 15 minutes (until most of the liquid is absorbed). Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with brown rice, tortillas, and thinly sliced peppers, shredded carrots or other favorite vegetables. Makes 4 servings.
[*Note: if you don’t have boiled cider on hand, replace the boiled cider and water with fresh apple cider. Alternatively, you could swap it for pure maple syrup.]
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17 responses so far ↓
1 jlem1125 // Oct 26, 2011 at 8:51 am
Thanks for the recipe! Will cook this for my wife on Saturday!
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2 Barbara // Oct 26, 2011 at 4:48 pm
I’ve never cooked black beans before but would certainly like to try it–especially since it’s so good for you. This recipe looks good! Can’t wait to try it out! Thanks!
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3 Susan Birchler // Oct 27, 2011 at 10:19 am
That is just yummy – way yummy! Thanks – I needed a recipe for Halloween night.
4 midtown143 // Oct 27, 2011 at 1:30 pm
I made these cider baked beans and pork carnitas. Week two I had less time, so used chicken breast for the meat but the boy was so excited about the beans that he decided to try a bean and cheese “taco”.
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5 shahar // Oct 31, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Thank you for the recipe 🙂
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6 Larissa // Oct 31, 2011 at 10:52 pm
I love black beans! goes with almost everything!!!
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7 Natzie // Nov 2, 2011 at 7:44 am
It looks so delicious.. Love to try it out for a snack.. Keep posting some more!
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8 gracia19 // Nov 2, 2011 at 7:55 am
Thank you for this tasty and healthy recipe! Black beans contains at least 8 flavonoids, which has high antioxidant and rich with phytochemicals that could help prevent cancer! Just want to add that!
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9 Rachelle // Nov 2, 2011 at 9:32 am
It’s my hubby’s birthday this coming weekend, I will surprise him with this recipe on breakfast. Thanks for sharing this recipe and thanks also to gracia19 for additional info.
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10 Marquita // Nov 3, 2011 at 1:21 am
I always love to find new recipes. I enjoy cooking and this one is a must have to try recipe for me… Thank you for sharing!
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11 Anastasia // Nov 4, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Hello! Someone in my Facebook group shared this site with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
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12 Anna // Nov 11, 2011 at 7:05 am
I love black beans. Maybe because my Mom never cooked them when I was a child :). Thanks for this recipe.
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13 gabby // Nov 11, 2011 at 7:08 am
Wow! I feel so hungry just looking at the picture. I love black beans so much. Thanks for sharing this recipe, this food extremely looks so yummy!
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14 Violet // Nov 11, 2011 at 11:47 am
oohh i have to try this. thanks for the recipe! 🙂
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15 Clive Flucker // Dec 12, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Wow this looks wonderful.. If you can hear the clanking in the background it’s me trying to get my pots out to try this recipe a.s.a.p – I hope it tastes as good as it sounds
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16 Sara // Mar 17, 2012 at 8:45 pm
I’ve been looking for a new and easy recipe and landed on your blog! This looks really cool, can’t wait to try it!
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