Havana-Style Black Beans: Classic Cuban Recipe

Havana-Style Black Beans

Traditional Cuban recipe full of flavor and memory

🫘 Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of black beans
  • 10 cups of water
  • 1 whole green bell pepper
  • 1 large onion
  • 5 green cachucha peppers
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 3 teaspoons of salt (to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • 2 culantro leaves
  • 1 medium bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons of dry wine
  • 1 tablespoon of vinegar
  • ¾ cup of extra virgin olive oil

 

 

🌙 Overnight soaking:

The night before, soak the black beans together with the whole green bell pepper. This helps them soften better for cooking the next day.

👨‍🍳 Cooking:

The next day, cook them in a pressure cooker along with the pepper and half of the chopped onion. Cook until they are very tender.

🍃 Flavor base:

When soft, add the bay leaf, one culantro leaf, half of the salt, and half of the sugar. Stir well.

🍳 Cuban sofrito:

Finely chop the remaining half of the onion and the cachucha peppers. Mash the garlic with a pinch of salt in a mortar.

In a saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sauté the vegetables first, leaving the garlic for last.

🥣 Final integration:

Add to the sofrito two ladles of beans with their broth. Add the cumin, oregano, the other culantro leaf, pepper, and the rest of the salt and sugar. Cook a few more minutes.

Pour the entire sofrito into the pot with the beans. Add the vinegar and dry wine. Cook over low heat for 20 to 30 minutes. If you prefer a thicker broth, cook uncovered.

🧂 Final touch:

Adjust the salt and sugar to taste. Finally, drizzle a bit of olive oil on top to enhance the flavor.

ℹ️ Additional information:

  • Servings: 6
  • Preparation time: 8–10 hours (soaking) + 1 hour (preparation and cooking)
  • Category: Stews & Broths
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Tip:

These Havana-style black beans are perfect to accompany white rice, yuca with mojo, fried pork chunks, or a Spanish omelet. A classic Cuban recipe that never fails.

Did you like this recipe? Leave us a comment, tell us how you make yours, or suggest a variation. Your participation inspires us!

🏷️ Tags: black bean stew, creole cuisine, Cuban recipes, Havana-style, traditional Cuban food, Cuban black beans, authentic Cuban cooking

For the Spanish recipe, visit: Frijoles Negros a la Habanera: Receta Tradicional Cubana.