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Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans

Is this a side dish, or is it a burrito filling? Yes! It’s all in your perspective and your needs; Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans can be both. Either way, easily add some filling protein to any vegetarian meal.

Yes, I know these aren’t especially pretty, but I hope you can overlook their appearance. Sometimes, beauty is in the taste buds of the beholder: Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans work so well as either a super easy (15 minute!) stand-alone side dish, or as a burrito filling.

bowl of slightly smashed black beans

We usually enjoy our black beans on the thicker & drier side (and full of garlic), but you can certainly thin them out with a little broth if you prefer. See some variations on this basic black beans recipe in the Notes section below.

Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans

garlicky black beans ingredients

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil
1 Tbsp minced garlic (about six cloves)
2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
Sea salt, to taste
Lime juice, to taste

Directions

Mince your garlic, and rinse and drain the beans.

Heat olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and saute briefly.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the beans, spices, and lime juice.

Continue to simmer beans over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and slightly smashing the beans with a big wooden spoon as you go.

Taste before serving, and season with a little additional salt and lime juice as desired.

build your own burrito bar

Serve your garlicky black beans as a side dish, or as one of the filling options in a build-your-own-burrito bar. Top with chopped green onions or cilantro (optional).

Note: This is a very basic garlicky smashed black beans recipe. A few variations: Saute a bit of chopped jalapeño and/or onion in olive oil until softened before adding in the garlic. Add a little vegetable broth to add more moisture and flavor. Stir in some chopped cilantro, if you’re a fan.

A filling garlicky side dish

Bowl of slightly smashed garlicky baked beans -- a side dish or burrito filling

I love to add these garlicky black beans to burritos, but High School Guy prefers his on the side. However you use yours, they’re a super easy 15 minute shortcut to adding filling vegetarian protein to your dinner.

Looking for more vegetarian recipe ideas? Take a few minutes to browse through the Meatless Monday category for additional dinner optionsor, check out fifteen favorite meatless meals to jump start your vegetarian cooking.

Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans, printable recipe

Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans

Is this a side dish, or is it a burrito filling? Yes! It’s all in your perspective and your needs; Slightly Smashed Garlicky Black Beans can be both. Either way, easily add some filling protein to any vegetarian meal.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine black beans
Keyword basic black beans, black beans, garlic, side, side dish
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp minced garlic about six cloves
  • 2 cans black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Lime juice to taste

Instructions

  • Mince your garlic, and rinse and drain the beans.
  • Heat olive oil in a small sauce pan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and saute briefly.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the beans, spices, and lime juice.
  • Continue to simmer beans over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally and slightly smashing the beans with a big wooden spoon as you go.
  • Taste before serving, and season with a little additional salt and lime juice as desired.
  • Serve your garlicky black beans as a side dish, or as one of the filling options in a build-your-own-burrito bar. Top with chopped green onions or cilantro (optional).

Notes

This is a very basic garlicky smashed black beans recipe. A few variations: Saute a bit of chopped jalapeño and/or onion in olive oil until softened before adding in the garlic. Add a little vegetable broth to add more moisture and flavor. Stir in some chopped cilantro, if you’re a fan.

Recipes in the real world

weekly ALDI meal plans from Mashup Mom -- six complete dinners for four, $60 out the door! MashupMom.com, every Wednesday.

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

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