Craving the authentic taste of restaurant-quality Mexican black beans? This Moe’s black bean recipe delivers exactly what you’re looking for! These flavorful beans taste just like the ones you’d get at your favorite Mexican restaurant, with that perfect balance of spices and creamy texture.
Making restaurant-style Moe’s BBQ Baked Beans at home is surprisingly simple and requires just a handful of pantry staples. The secret lies in not draining the beans and building layers of flavor with sautéed aromatics and warming spices.
This homemade version is healthier than many restaurant versions while maintaining that authentic taste you love. Perfect as a side dish or protein-packed addition to any Mexican meal!
What Does Moe’s Black Bean Recipe Taste Like?
These Mexican black beans offer a rich, earthy flavor with subtle smoky undertones that make them irresistible. The cumin adds warmth and depth, while the cayenne pepper provides just the right amount of heat without overwhelming your palate.
The texture is perfectly creamy yet substantial, with tender beans that hold their shape beautifully. Each spoonful delivers a harmonious blend of savory onion, aromatic garlic, and well-balanced spices that complement the natural earthiness of the black beans.
The overall taste profile is comforting and satisfying, with enough complexity to stand alone as a dish yet versatile enough to pair with rice, tacos, burritos, or any Mexican-inspired meal you’re preparing.
Ingredients Required for
Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Moe’s Black Bean Recipe
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans (do NOT drain)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need
- Large skillet or saucepan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4-6 people
How to Make Moe’s Black Bean
Simply follow the steps given below to make your AMoe’s Black Bean Recipe at home
1. Prepare the aromatics: Dice the yellow onion into small, uniform pieces. Mince 3 cloves of garlic and set aside with your spices.
2. Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Sauté the onion: Add the diced onion to the hot oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
4. Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 60-90 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
5. Toast the spices: Add the cumin and cayenne pepper to the pan and stir for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.
6. Add the beans: Pour in both cans of black beans with all their liquid (do not drain). Stir gently to combine with the aromatics.
7. Heat through: Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through completely.
8. Season to taste: Add salt starting with 1/4 teaspoon, then taste and adjust as needed based on your preference and whether you used low-sodium beans.
9. Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Moe’s Black Bean Recipe
10 Delicious Ways to Serve These Black Beans
After making this recipe countless times, we’ve discovered some amazing ways to enjoy these flavorful black beans that go way beyond the typical side dish!
1. Black Bean and Rice Bowls
We love spooning these beans over fluffy white or cilantro-lime rice, then topping with diced avocado, pico de gallo, and a dollop of sour cream. It’s become our go-to weeknight dinner when we want something filling yet healthy.
2. Breakfast Burrito Filling
These beans are incredible in breakfast burritos! We scramble some eggs, add the beans, cheese, and salsa, then wrap it all up in a warm tortilla. The beans add protein and make breakfast feel more substantial.
3. Quesadilla Enhancement
Instead of just cheese quesadillas, we spread a layer of these black beans before adding the cheese. The result is so much more flavorful and satisfying. Our kids actually prefer them this way now!
4. Loaded Nachos Base
We use these as the foundation for epic nacho nights. Layer them over tortilla chips with melted cheese, jalapeños, and all your favorite toppings. The beans make nachos feel like an actual meal rather than just a snack.
5. Taco Tuesday Hero
Obviously perfect for tacos! We’ve found they work beautifully in both hard and soft shell tacos. We especially love them with some crumbled queso fresco and a squeeze of lime.
6. Black Bean Soup Starter
When we want soup, we add some vegetable or chicken broth to these beans, maybe throw in some diced tomatoes and corn. Thirty minutes later, we have a hearty soup that tastes like it simmered all day.
7. Stuffed Sweet Potato Topping
This combination surprised us, but it’s amazing! We bake sweet potatoes, split them open, and top with these black beans, some feta cheese, and chopped green onions. The sweet and savory combo is addictive.
8. Burrito Bowl Base
We recreate our favorite restaurant burrito bowls at home by starting with these beans, adding rice, grilled chicken or steak, and all the fixings. It’s healthier and more budget-friendly than takeout.
9. Black Bean Flatbread
We spread these on naan or flatbread with some cheese and broil until bubbly. It makes a quick lunch or appetizer that feels fancy but takes minutes to prepare.
10. Meal Prep Game Changer
We make a big batch on Sundays and portion them into containers with different accompaniments throughout the week. Monday might be beans and rice, Wednesday could be bean quesadillas, and Friday becomes burrito bowl night!
Some Tips on This Moe’s Black Bean Recipe
10 Easy Tips for Making Perfect Black Beans. Here are some simple tips we learned after making this recipe many times. These tricks will help you make the best black beans ever!
1. Don’t Throw Away the Bean Water
This is super important! The liquid in the can makes your beans taste amazing. It has lots of flavor. If you pour it out, your beans will be bland and dry.
2. Cut Your Onions Small
Chop your onions into tiny pieces. Big chunks don’t taste good when you eat them. Small pieces mix better with the beans. They also cook faster this way.
3. Don’t Burn the Garlic
Garlic burns really fast! When it burns, it tastes bitter and bad. Add it after the onions are soft. Cook it for just one minute, then add your spices right away.
4. Taste Before You Add Salt
Some canned beans have lots of salt already. Others don’t have much. Always taste your beans first. Then add a little salt at a time until it tastes just right to you.
5. Use a Big Pan
These beans bubble and splash when they cook. A small pan will make a mess on your stove. Use a big skillet or pot so you have room to stir without spilling.
6. Stir Gently
Black beans are soft and can break easily. Stir them slowly and carefully. You want whole beans, not mushy bean soup. A wooden spoon works best for this.
7. Start with Less Spice
You can always add more spice, but you can’t take it out! Start with less cayenne pepper. Taste it. Then add more if you want it hotter.
8. Make Extra
These beans taste even better the next day! The flavors mix together overnight. Make a big batch and eat them all week long in different ways.
9. Keep Some Bean Liquid
If your beans look too thick, don’t add water. Save some liquid from the cans before you cook. Add it back if you need to make them more soupy.
10. Fresh Cilantro Makes It Special
Don’t skip the cilantro on top! It makes the beans look pretty and adds fresh flavor. Chop it right before you serve so it stays green and fresh.
How to Store and Reheat Moe’s Black Bean
Store leftover black beans in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in a covered container. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if needed to prevent sticking. You can also microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.
Moe’s Black Bean Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans black beans (do NOT drain)
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- Fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Dice the yellow onion into small, uniform pieces. Mince 3 cloves of garlic and set aside with your spices.
- Heat the oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Sauté the onion: Add the diced onion to the hot oil and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 60-90 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Toast the spices: Add the cumin and cayenne pepper to the pan and stir for about 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Add the beans: Pour in both cans of black beans with all their liquid (do not drain). Stir gently to combine with the aromatics.
- Heat through: Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are heated through completely.
- Season to taste: Add salt starting with 1/4 teaspoon, then taste and adjust as needed based on your preference and whether you used low-sodium beans.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
Video
Notes
Common Queries on This Moe’s Black Bean Recipe
Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Moe’s Black Bean Recipe that people often ask.
1. Can I use dried black beans instead of canned?
Absolutely! We’ve done this many times when we have extra time. You’ll need about 1 cup of dried beans, soaked overnight and cooked until tender (about 1-2 hours). Save about 1 cup of the cooking liquid to use in place of the liquid from canned beans. The flavor is even richer this way, but it does take significantly more time.
2. Why is it important not to drain the canned beans?
We learned this the hard way! That liquid (called aquafaba) contains tons of flavor and natural starches that help create the perfect creamy consistency. When we first tried draining them, the beans tasted bland and the texture was too dry. The liquid is what makes these taste restaurant-quality.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! We actually think these taste even better the next day. The flavors have more time to meld together. We often make a double batch on Sunday for meal prep throughout the week. They reheat beautifully and save us so much time on busy weeknights.
4. What can I substitute for cayenne pepper if I don’t like spicy food?
We totally understand – not everyone loves heat! You can omit the cayenne entirely, or try using a pinch of smoked paprika instead. Some of our friends add a tiny bit of chipotle powder for smoky flavor without much heat. The beans will still be delicious without any spicy elements.
5. How can I make these beans creamier like some restaurants do?
Great question! Some restaurants add lard or butter for extra richness. We’ve experimented with adding a tablespoon of cream cheese or sour cream at the end, which creates an incredibly creamy texture. You can also mash about 1/4 of the beans against the side of the pan while cooking.
6. Can I freeze these black beans?
Yes! We freeze them in portion-sized containers all the time. They keep for up to 3 months and thaw beautifully. We’ve found they’re perfect for throwing into quick weeknight meals when we haven’t had time to grocery shop.
7. My beans turned out too salty/not salty enough. What went wrong?
This usually depends on the brand of canned beans you used. Some brands are much saltier than others. We always taste and adjust at the end now. If they’re too salty, add a splash of water or a squeeze of lime juice. If they need more salt, add it gradually – you can always add more but can’t take it away!
8. Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! We’ve added diced bell peppers with the onions, corn kernels at the end, or even diced tomatoes. Just remember that extra vegetables will add moisture, so you might need to cook a bit longer to get the right consistency.
9. How long do these keep in the refrigerator?
In our experience, they stay fresh for 4-5 days in a covered container. We’ve never had them last longer than that because our family devours them so quickly! They’re one of those recipes that disappear fast once people try them.
10. Can I double or triple this recipe?
Absolutely! We regularly make larger batches for parties or meal prep. Just use a bigger pan to ensure everything cooks evenly. The cooking times stay about the same, but you might need an extra minute or two to heat all the beans through when making larger quantities.
This Moe’s black bean recipe proves that restaurant-quality flavors are easily achievable in your own kitchen! With simple ingredients and minimal effort, you’ll have delicious, authentic-tasting Mexican black beans ready in just 20 minutes. Try this recipe tonight and discover how easy it is to elevate your homemade Mexican meals. Don’t forget to share your results and let us know how these beans transformed your dinner!
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