The Most Delicious Mexican Black Beans Ever

Black beans taken to the next level with bold Mexican flavors all from ingredients you have around the house! Sometimes black beans become a forgettable side dish, but not these! They will be the highlight of your meal!

Easy Black Bean Side Dish

We just barely survived an extremely stressful summer. Before I get into the details, let me just say that these Mexican black beans from scratch came from some friends who had us over for dinner one tonight. They were the best black beans we have ever had!

All you need are a few simple ingredients and you’ll be in the middle of a Mexican black bean fiesta! Ole! Serve these alongside our pork carnitas or either one of our chicken or beef fajitas!

Okay, so this summer we made a major mistake. Well, not a mistake, but we went through an incredibly stressful summer and it was all at our own doing. We chose to completely gut our kitchen and three of our bathrooms.

You guys, I know that seems like it’s not that big of a deal, but have children, have your job be completely centered around cooking, and then take away the sinks, anything with cooking, showers and toilets and then fill the whole house with endless people, dust, dirt, and chaos.

That is stress.

One thing after another fell apart, the kitchen backsplash tile was accidentally installed in the shower, the cabinets were late, and then late again, and then wrong. The floors were ruined, which we hadn’t planned to replace.

WE FOUND MOLD.

I mean, the list literally goes on for another mile and we were stretched beyond our own capacity. It was so hard living off of protein bars and cereal in plastic bowls and I’m not kidding, that’s what we ate. We aren’t the type to say, hey folks, we could use a dinner or heck a plate of cookies because we are drowning!!!!! But we have two friends who reached out and cooked us a meal at one point.

One of those meals involved these easy black beans and although they filled our spirits and we knew, we knew it was such a crazy tender mercy that day, they also happened to be the best, the most delicious Mexican Black Beans Ever!

What’s Needed for Mexican Black Beans?

To make this simple black bean side dish, you need just a handful of mostly pantry ingredients. Here’s what goes into this easy recipe:

• Olive oil
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Canned black beans
• Tomato sauce
• Fresh cilantro

The measurements of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Mex

This easy chili recipe is filled with beans, tomatoes, corn, and plenty of Mexican spices. I’ve made this chili with meat and without and it’s delicious both ways.

I’m sharing the easiest chili recipe I make with you today, because as simple as it is, it remains my go-to dinner plan when we arrive home from traveling and I don’t have time or motivation to head for the store.

Simple Chili Recipe

Originally, this was simply an assortment of canned goods that I combined one afternoon when we had just arrived back in town and there wasn’t a bit of fresh food in the house.

After every single person at the table commented on how much they enjoyed the meal, I decided to scribble out a list of the ingredients and make it again. I’ve tweaked the ingredients a little bit here and there but no matter what, it comes out delicious every time.

The convenience of this recipe can’t be beaten. Ten years later, with the same nine cans of beans, tomatoes, green chile, and corn, it all still adds up to a comforting, warm, satisfying, and healthy meal.

Best Easy Chili Recipe

I’ve made many chilis in my day and many, like Hearty Pepper Chili, Whit

The Best Pinto Beans Recipe

I live for the simple side dish, and it doesn’t get much more simple than The Best Pinto Beans from a Can Recipe. A little red onion and the perfect blend of spices (including one you’ll never suspect), and you’ll be eating these by the spoonful!

I tend to be one of those pinto with chicken, black beans with beef people. My kids are slooooow to the beans scene. It has taken years to convince them and it all started as black beans. Now I’m finally showing them just how crazy delicious pinto beans are, especially if you add in cinnamon. It is a sneaky secret you’d never guess was there but cannot live without.

What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Pinto Beans?

You’ll want to head to the produce section and grab some red onion and cilantro, and the rest of your ingredients are going to come from the spice cupboard, besides the beans themselves, of course! If you’ve ever wondered how to add flavor to canned pinto beans, here is the list of ingredients you’ll need:

• Red Onion
• Garlic Cloves
• Garlic Salt
• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Cinnamon
• Oregano
• Salt
• Cilantro
• Olive Oil
• Pinto Beans (canned)

The measurements of each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

How to Make Canned Pinto Beans Taste Delicious

I promised this recipe would be easy, so let me prove it! Here are the basic steps:

1. Sauté the onions in olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the garlic and then all the seasonings.
3. Add the pinto beans and water.
4. Let the beans simmer.

Simple, right?! All of these instructions in full detail can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Should You Drain Canned Pinto Beans?

The short answer to that is, it depends. It honestly depends on the recipe and how much extra liquids the recipe can handle. For this recipe, we want them drained so all the flavors from the spices and onions can saturate the beans.

I also don’t like the thick, sort of chalky flavor and texture of the liquid that the beans are canned with. I like to give the beans a good rinse then add water if a little extra moisture is needed to cook the beans.

Do You Have to Cook Pinto Beans from a Can?

No, canned beans are fully cooked and ready to eat straight from the can and cold if your heart desires. Which it shouldn’t desire because…ew!

Can I Make This Recipe in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker?

Yes, this recipe can be made in either the Instant pot or slow cooker.

Instant Pot: Put the Instant Pot on sauté mode and cook the onions and garlic until tender. Then add the spices to bloom them. Add the pinto beans and wate

Loaded with our favorite Mexican flavors; this Southwest Chicken Soup is slightly spicy with chunks of tomatoes, corn, black beans, and tender chicken.

I topped our steaming bowls of soup with a handful of shredded cheese and the entire family gave this meal two thumbs up.

Southwest Chicken Soup

Dinner in just TEN minutes. Seriously. I even timed myself making this soup the second time because it came together so fast. And it was good!

Like everyone else I know, I love having a go-to list of meals that require little to no effort to get on the table. This Southwest Chicken Soup is a winner of a quick and easy dinner!

Within just a few minutes, this soup will be hot and ready to eat! Loaded with all of our favorite Mexican ingredients and flavors, we make versions of this soup at least once a month throughout the cooler months of the year.

10 Minute Chicken Soup

About all that you will need to make this soup is a handful of pantry ingredients and some leftover chicken. This is the ultimate last-minute dinner and it’s a popular one here.

You can use a grocery store rotisserie chicken, a roasted chicken, shredded chicken, or a couple of leftover grilled or baked chicken thighs.

Read more

Best Chili Recipe

The best chili recipe I have ever made! It’s packed with ground beef, bacon and 3 kinds of beans with just the right combination of spices for the perfect flavor! Top it off with a little sour cream and shredded cheese, Yum!

You all have been loving our award winning Instant Pot chili for quite some time now, but this one is better. I can’t believe I’m saying that because the Instant Pot version is the bomb, but this is THE BEST!

Now, I’ve actually never been a chili fan. Spicy is not my thing and growing up I didn’t like ground beef and wasn’t a huge bean fan so chili was definitely not my favorite. But then I became intrigued, and all from one story…

My sister once called me later at night and I was juuust about to go to sleep. I knew she’d just been on a date so I answered to hear the details. No. No this was not a, “best date ever” call, but a “you will not believe the awkwardness” call.

He had called last minute and asked if she could pick him up. “Oh sure” she replied, totally not worrying about it as they were nearing the end of college and maybe his car was out of luck. So she picks him up and he tells her he actually doesn’t have a car, or a job, nor is he actually in school. Instead he’s pursuing breakdancing.

Best Thing I’ve Ever Eaten

Which is fine, there’s probably some good ones out there, but as he later showed her, he wasn’t one of them. But I’m distracted. So this kind boy tells her, I’m taking you out for the very best thing I’ve ever eaten. “You’re going to love it,” he says. Right at the light, then head straight down main. Take a left at this light and straight again until it’s on the left hand side. Wendy’s.

Well again, she’s so kind and gives him a chance. They get inside and he orders two baked potatoes with chili. Whhhhhaaaaaa?

This is the BEST thing you’ve ever eaten?

That date didn’t end up going anywhere, haha, but it sure sparked something in me!