This is a recipe for Mexican black beans (frijoles negros) using canned black beans seasoned with cumin, minced garlic, and chopped onion cooked in chicken broth and topped with cilantro.

Mexican black beans are one of my favorite things to eat. Especially if they are seasoned with cumin and garlic.
They’re perfect on the side of tacos, flautas, or enchiladas. And they’re also great for bean dips!
Ingredients for Mexican Black Beans
- Black Beans
- Garlic
- Chicken Broth
- Cumin
- Onion
- Olive Oil
Optional Toppings
- Cilantro
- Crumbled Queso Fresco
Want to make it spicy?
There are a few options to make it spicier:
- Cook sliced jalapenos with the onion. The heat lies in the inner membrane.
- Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper when you add the cumin.
- Cook whole habaneros with the onion for mild heat, and to make it really spicy, slice open the habanero – the heat lies within!
Looking to make black bean dip?
If you prefer black beans to be softer and mashed, use a potato masher to lightly break open the beans as they cook.
This breaks the outter “shell” of the bean and allows it to cook very quickly.
Delicious dishes that use black beans:
- Chipotle Black Bean Soup
- Speedy Black Bean Burgers
- Quick and Easy Feijoada (A hearty Brazilian black bean, pork, or beef stew)
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quinoa Bowls
- Southwestern Salsa with Black Beans and Corn
What goes with Mexican black beans?
- Easy Chicken Flautas
- Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw
- Instant Pot Chicken Enchiladas
- Instant Pot Street-Style Beef Tacos (with Homemade Pico de Gallo!)
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Mexican Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2-15 ounce Cans of Black Beans, drained, but not rinsed
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Chopped Onion
- 1 tablespoon Minced Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- Dash of Black Pepper
Spicy Options
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Habanero, Leave whole for mild or slice open for hot. The heat lies within!
- 1 Sliced Jalapeno
Toppings
- Cilantro
- Crumbled Queso Fresco
Instructions
- Heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add onion and cook for 6-7 minutes until onion is tender and translucent. Add garlic (and any of the spicy options) and cook for 60 seconds.
- Add chicken broth, black beans, cumin, and black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Serve topped with cilantro and/or crumbled queso fresco.
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Do u drain & rinse beans first? Ty!
Hi Sandi,
Sorry for not specifying. I’ll update the recipe.
Yes, drain the beans, but do not rinse them.
-Tiffany
Looks great! I will definitely be adding the habanero, as my husband and I both love spice!
That’s how I like it too. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know how it turns out!