Guatemalan Style Black Beans

Experience the rich, comforting flavors of Guatemalan cuisine with this authentic recipe for Guatemalan Style Black Beans. Perfectly slow-simmered with aromatic onion, garlic, and a touch of oregano, these beans embody simple yet bold flavors that transport your taste buds straight to Central America. Whether refined with vegetable oil or made traditionally with lard for a truly authentic taste, these creamy, slow-cooked black beans strike the perfect balance of smoothness and texture. Garnished with fresh cilantro, they are incredibly versatile—serve as a flavorful side dish, a protein-packed breakfast staple, or a filling for tacos and other Guatemalan-inspired dishes. Slow-cooking methods coax out deep, earthy aromas, while an optional mashing technique creates a hearty, satisfying texture. A comforting dish with minimal ingredients, these black beans are a must-try for fans of Latin American cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:190 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried black beans
• 8 cups water
• 1 medium white onion
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or lard for authenticity)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Directions

Step 1

Sort and rinse the dried black beans, removing any small stones or debris.

Step 2

In a large pot, combine the black beans and water. Let the beans soak for 4-8 hours, or preferably overnight, to shorten the cooking time and enhance texture.

Step 3

After soaking, add the whole onion (peeled and halved) and the whole garlic cloves to the pot.

Step 4

Bring the pot of beans to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer.

Step 5

Cook the beans for approximately 2-3 hours, or until they are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add more water if needed to ensure the beans remain fully submerged.

Step 6

Once the beans are cooked, remove the onion and garlic from the pot, and discard them. Stir in the dried oregano and salt to season the beans.

Step 7

In a separate skillet, heat the vegetable oil (or lard) over medium heat. Carefully ladle in 2-3 cups of the cooked beans along with a small amount of their liquid.

Step 8

Using the back of a spoon or an immersion blender, mash some of the beans in the skillet to create a smoother consistency while retaining some of the whole beans for texture. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly.

Step 9

If desired, garnish the beans with freshly chopped cilantro before serving. Serve hot as a side dish, breakfast staple, or filling for Guatemalan-style tacos.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2455.5 grams (2455.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	787

Total Fat 29.40g	38%
Saturated Fat 4.30g	22%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.80g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5624mg	245%
Total Carbohydrate 101.70g	37%
Dietary Fiber 33.90g	121%
Total Sugars 5.90g
Protein 34.40g	69%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 282mg	22%
Iron 9mg	48%
Potassium 1551mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 32.7%

Protein: 17.0%

Carbs: 50.3%