Have some canned #BlackBeans on hand? Try this out (or one can soak beans overnight)...

Best Black Beans

Submitted by Cameron
Updated on March 10, 2026

"This black beans recipe is ready in just 15 minutes! With a can of black beans, onion, and garlic from your pantry, plus some chopped fresh cilantro, this quick and easy side dish is a no-brainer when you're short on time. Pairs well with any Mexican or Cuban meal.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Servings: 4

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, undrained
1 small onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt to taste


Directions

1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Combine beans, onion, and garlic in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in cilantro, cayenne, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from pot, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve.


How to Season Black Beans

These black beans are simply seasoned with garlic, salt, and cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. Of course, it's incredibly easy to customize this basic recipe by incorporating your favorite flavorful ingredients. Try adding:

· Jalapeño
· Cumin
· Paprika
· Lime juice
· Chili powder
· Bay leaves "

Source:
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/63113/best-black-beans/

#SolarPunkSunday #VeganRecipes
#BlackBeanRecipes #EasyRecipes #EatingOnABudget
#DietForASmallPlanet #AllRecipes

Vegan Black Beans

By Sophia DeSantis, 2025

"I make this Vegan Black Beans recipe with dried beans, red onion, bell peppers, and garlic for a hearty dish. It simmers on the stove for about an hour, allowing the flavors to deepen with seasonings and herbs. This nourishing meal is perfect to serve any time of the day for my family.


Ingredients [for cooking on a stovetop]:

▢ 1 pound dried black beans , about 2 cups (soak overnight, see note in link)
▢ 1 cup chopped red onion
▢ 1 cup chopped red pepper
▢ 4 garlic cloves , finely chopped
▢ Drizzle of oil or broth to sauté
▢ 4-5 cups broth (see note)
▢ ½ cup red wine , sub more broth if you don’t have or want
▢ 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
▢ 1 tablespoon dried oregano
▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon sea salt
▢ ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

For cooking in the Instant Pot:
▢ Only use 3 cups broth

For cooking in the crock pot:
▢ Up broth to 5-6 cups

Instructions

▢ Sauté onion, pepper and garlic with drizzle of oil or broth until softened.
▢ Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a rapid boil. About 10 minutes.
▢ Cover, reduce to a simmer and cook for about an hour. Check for desired done texture preference along the way.
▢ Serve however you want! These thicken as they sit, and get thicker in the fridge. They are even more flavorful the next day!

To cook in the Instant Pot:

▢ Use the sauté setting to sauté the onions, peppers and garlic, or sauté on the stove.
▢ Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on manual with the valve on the seal setting for 30 minutes.
▢ Allow pressure to naturally release for 15-20 minutes.
▢ Turn the valve to vent to finish releasing pressure.

To cook in the crock pot:

▢ Sauté the onions, peppers and garlic on the stove.
▢ Add them to the crock pot along with the rest of the ingredients.
▢ Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8. Check at 3 or 6 hours for doneness and add more broth if needed. You want the liquid to cover the beans so they don’t burn.


Variations

While I love the this black beans recipe as it is, I sometimes switch things up with these variations:

Make It Spicy: For more heat, I add some crushed red pepper or 1/8 (or more) teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture. You could also add in 1-2 diced jalapenos (seeded would be milder, not seeded would be spicier) into the veggie mixture and sauté them together.

Cuban Style: For this version, I add 1 bay leaf while cooking (remove before serving), and I also stir in 1 tablespoon of ground cumin and 1 teaspoon of dried thyme along with the other spices.

#RefriedBeans: These beans taste great whole, but they can also be made into refried beans if you like! To do this, reduce the broth to 3-4 cups for a thicker consistency, and then after cooking, blend or mash the beans with an immersion blender until smooth.

Read more:
https://pickyeaterblog.com/vegan-black-beans/

#SolarPunkSunday #VeganRecipes #Vegan #BlackBeanRecipes
#EatingOnABudget #DietForASmallPlanet

Stewed #BlackBeans

#UMaineCoopExtension: "Mainely Dish" Recipe Video Series.

Feb 13, 2024

Makes 4, 1 cup servings

Ingredients:

1/2 pound (8 ounces) dry black beans
1.5 tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
(Optional) 1.5 tablespoons jalapeno, pepper finely chopped
1 clove (1 tablespoon) garlic, finely chopped
½ teaspoon cumin powder
1-quart water - approximately 4 cups
1 bay leaf
¼ teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Soak the beans using the method of your choice - traditional soak, hot soak, or quick soak (link to beans publication)

2. Drain and rinse the black beans.

3. In a large heavy bottom pot, heat the oil over medium heat.

4. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, jalapeno (optional), and garlic. Add ¼ teaspoon of salt.

5. Stir and cook until the vegetables have softened, 3-5 minutes. Reduce heat if vegetables are browning.

6. Add cumin and bay leaf. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes.

7. Add rinsed black beans and add about 1 quart (4 cups) of water or just enough water to cover the beans.

8. Bring to a simmer, do not boil. Cook on a simmer until beans are tender, 1.5-2.5 hours. Can be transferred to a crock pot or oven for easy cooking.

9. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Rob Dumas, University of Maine Food Science Innovation Coordinator and Facility Manager for the School of Food and Agriculture; Certified Executive Chef, American Culinary Federation.

Please note: This video was filmed using non-stick cookware that contains PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” As of January 1, 2026, the state of Maine has banned the sale of cookware with intentionally added PFAS, including non-stick cookware coated with Teflon used in these videos. Mainely Dish now uses PFAS-free alternatives in Extension programs and videos. Certain non-stick coatings on cookware, such as PTFE, commonly known by its brand name Teflon, may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are associated with numerous health and environmental effects. Below are resources to help consumers avoid PFAS exposure while using non-stick cookware and make informed decisions about purchasing PFAS-free alternative."

Video and links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogm1n_aTATU&list=PL8D1C914E1E1FEA69&index=45

#SolarPunkSunday #VeganRecipes #BlackBeanRecipes #EasyRecipes #RecipeVideos #MainelyDish #UMaine #EatingOnABudget #DietForASmallPlanet #UniversityOfMaineCooperativeExtension

A few of these recipes I've heard of, and even made!

10+ Ojibwe Wild Rice Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

ByCook Maniac Team
April 13, 2025

"Wild rice, known as manoomin among the Ojibwe people, is a cherished staple with deep cultural significance.

"Exploring Ojibwe wild rice recipes allows you to discover unique flavors and traditional cooking methods that have been passed down through generations. This nutritious grain not only tastes great but also connects you to the rich heritage of Native American cuisine."

https://cookmaniac.com/ojibwe-wild-rice-recipes/

#IndigenousFoodSovereignty #TraditionalFoods #WildRiceRecipes #SolarPunkSunday #EatingOnABudget #NutritiousFoods #AlternativeGrains #TurkeySoup #AnimalProducts #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Healthy Eating on a Budget - #UniversityOfGeorgiaCooperativeExtension

"For many families, it can be difficult to provide healthy meals while staying on budget. Healthy foods can cost more, making it a challenge to purchase a variety of healthy choices. There are several ways to make healthy eating more economical for your family.

Compare Prices and Search for Sales

Use sales or coupons when possible. Compare items to determine the best deal.

Choose Wisely

Some foods are always less expensive. Buy produce in season and look for the best deals

Buy in Bulk

For non-perishables or foods that you can freeze, buy large quantities and store the extras.

Use Your Leftovers

Serve your leftovers for other meals, or combine ingredients to make a new meal.

Plan Your Meals

Plan your meals for the week before going shopping. See what you already have, and make a list of what you need to buy."

Source:
https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C1037-17

#FoodInsecurity #EatingOnABudget #SolarPunkSunday

So, this recipe isn't vegan, but I'm sure it could be made vegan with soy-cheese (I just don't have a lot of experience with it). Though recipes like this would work with soy-cheese texture-wise.

White Beans with Mushrooms and Marinara

by Beth Moncel

What Other Vegetables can I Add?

"If you’re not into mushrooms or are just looking for other vegetables to add in addition to the mushrooms, there are definitely some great options. Zucchini would match really well with these flavors, as would spinach. For zucchini, I suggest slicing and sautéing after the mushrooms. For spinach, stir it in after the sauce has heated through, just until it is wilted. Eggplant would also be amazing, just dice and sauté after the mushrooms.

Ingredients

8 oz. mushrooms
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 pinch salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic
2 cups marinara (or more to your liking)
2 15oz. cans butter beans
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pinch crushed red pepper
4 oz. mozzarella

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Wash and slice the mushrooms. Add the mushrooms, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper to a deep skillet. Sauté the mushrooms until they have wilted and all the moisture in the skillet has evaporated.

While the mushrooms are sautéing, mince the garlic, drain and rinse the butter beans. Add the garlic to the skillet with the mushrooms and sauté for 2 minutes more.

Add the rinsed butter beans, marinara, basil, and red pepper to the skillet. Stir everything to combine, then allow it to heat through, stirring occasionally.

While the skillet is heating through, shred the mozzarella. Top the skillet with the mozzarella, then cover the skillet with foil. Transfer the skillet to the oven* and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Once the cheese has melted, remove the foil, switch the oven to broil, and broil the skillet for a few minutes more to brown the cheese (watch closely, as browning can happen quickly with the broiler). Serve hot, with garlic bread for dipping!"

https://www.budgetbytes.com/white-beans-with-mushrooms-and-marinara/
#DietForASmallPlanet #SolarPunkSunday #Recipes #ItalianFood #EatingOnABudget #CanBeAdaptedToVeganRecipe

#Beans are good for the planet, for you and for your dinner table. Here’s how to cook them right.

By Joe Yonan, February 2, 2020

"When cooked from dried, with precious few other ingredients added, they create a rich broth to rival anything that ever came from boiling a chicken. They freeze beautifully in this liquid, making them ideal for make-ahead, finish-quickly meals. They’re pretty darn good straight from a can. And they can play into virtually every kind of dish, in every part of the meal: dips and snacks, salads and soups, main courses, sides and even desserts. As far as I’m concerned, anything meat can do, beans can do better."

Read more:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/voraciously/wp/2020/02/02/beans-are-good-for-the-planet-for-you-and-for-your-dinner-table-heres-how-to-cook-them-right/

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/rLJ57
#DietForASmallPlanet #SolarPunkSunday #Recipes #EatingOnABudget

So, I came across this article during the week. Some of the recipes call for eggs (that's where egg substitutes like tofu can come in handy), and some recipes call for cheese. I don't know much about vegan cheese, so I'm not sure what to substitute in those recipes.

Feed a Family for a Week With a Single Bag of Beans

Nutrition on a budget.

by Jose Mendoza

"Beans are healthy—high in protein and fiber and packed with nutrients like iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and more. They’re also an affordable and versatile way to feed your family—a one-pound bag of red kidney beans costs less than $2 and can make up to 11 servings. If you’re a single adult or have a small family, that can add up to a lot of nutritious and delicious food for a low price.

"But because even the healthiest of foods becomes a drag if you eat it the same way five days in a row, the key is to cook your beans in different ways. Stretch your bag of beans into unique meals with these three exciting recipes passed down from a traditional #Salvadoran cook. You’ll be able to build off of these dishes, and either enjoy them during the week or freeze them for later.

"We produced 17 servings, which for our family of three translates to a total of more than five meals. Adding these recipes to your cooking repertoire is a great way to eat healthy on a budget.

"The shopping list

Two cloves of garlic
A one-pound bag of red kidney beans
A large onion
A dozen eggs
8 ounces of cream cheese
Corn tortillas (how many will depend on your taste and hunger level)
Two avocados
A one-pound bag of white rice
8 ounces of queso fresco (or a more common cheese, like mozzarella or Monterey Jack)"

Read more (includes recipes):
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/feed-a-family-for-a-week-with-a-single-bag-of-beans?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
#EatingOnABudget #SolarPunkSunday #FoodSecurity #DietForASmallPlanet #Recipes