If there has ever been a dish that is so underrated, it’s black beans. This inexpensive and versatile dish can sit well at almost any dinner serving, no matter what kind of cuisine is on the menu.
Whether as your main dish, or a side dish, as long as they are cooked well, black beans are nutritious and delicious.
Let’s just be honest, many of us don’t have the patience to prepare dried black beans from scratch, thus the only option is canned black beans.
In this article, I will walk you through the step-by-step procedure on how to cook canned black beans using a microwave.
Here is how to cook canned black beans in microwave.
It’s a very simple procedure, open the can of black beans and thoroughly rinse and drain the beans. Pour them into a microwave-friendly container. Sprinkle your favorite seasonings, then put it in the microwave on high power for 4 minutes (you can also check the duration of time stated in the can). Thoroughly stir and put it back in the microwave till it reaches your desired temperature.
To shade a bit lighter on the procedure of cooking canned black beans in a microwave, I will explain each step fully and the ingredients that can give black appetizing flavor.
What exactly are black beans?
Black beans are these extremely tasty and fatty types of beans that belong to the legume family. I used to wonder why they’re also referred to as “Turtle beans”.
I think it’s because of their hard-shell skin. They are full of minerals such as fiber, vitamins, and plant proteins.
Ingredients:
- 1 can of black beans
- 1 cup of water
- Olive oil (any oil can do)
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onions
- Red/ yellow capsicum
As always, you are free to play around with different ingredients. These are just but a few of the ingredients that I prefer.
Step-by-step process on how to cook canned black beans in the microwave
Step 1: Open the can of black beans and rinse with cold water
Pour out the liquid covering the black beans and thoroughly rinse under running water until you can’t feel any slime and no more residue.
Step 2: Pour the black beans into a microwave-friendly dish
Put the beans in a microwavable dish and pour a cup of water into the dish. Just enough to cover the bottom. Cover it tightly with a lid and let it cook for 4 minutes on high power till you see the water start to bubble up towards the lid.
Let the beans sit for a few minutes with the power turned off in order to absorb the hot water. At this point, the shells of the beans will be looking a little swollen.
Step 3: Stir the beans
Remove the beans from the microwave and stir them using a spoon. The beans on top of the dish tend to get a lot more heat as compared to the beans at the bottom.
Add some more water to the dish.
Step 4: Put the dish back in the microwave
Put the container with the beans back in the microwave and since the majority of the beans had already heated up, you might want to let them boil up but not bubble out. That will take around 2-3 minutes.
If after the 3 minutes the beans have not yet boiled up, you can add another minute.
Stir and make sure that all the black beans are cooked to your preferred consistency.
Step 5: Remove and serve
Remove the beans from the microwave and serve while it’s still hot. You can add chopped onion rings, red/yellow capsicum, and coriander leaves to give it that fresh aroma. If you want, you can also spray a dash of lime juice.
Are you wondering how you will know when your canned black beans are cooked?
You will be sure that your beans are perfectly cooked when:
- When they don’t smell raw anymore.
- When the soup has turned to brown from the initial black liquid.
- When they feel tender to touch and taste.
Can you microwave canned beans?
Yes, as long as the beans are transferred to a microwave-friendly dish before microwaving it. Canned foods are usually packaged in tins, aluminum, and even steel cans which can lead to accidents when placed in the microwave.
Can you microwave black beans?
Black beans can be microwaved as long as they are not dry. Also sure you cover them or else they will come out hard and un-eatable.
How long to microwave black beans?
If the black beans are dry, you need to soak them overnight before putting them in the microwave. On average, you need to let it cook for at least 30 minutes on high heat. If it’s not tender after 30 minutes, put it back and keep stirring to check.
How to heat canned black beans?
Put some on a pot and heat it on medium. Add onions, tomatoes, garlic, coriander, and red peppers. Add the canned black beans, and keep stirring while bringing it to a slow simmer.
Is the liquid in canned black beans bad for you?
It’s not bad and can be consumed but the high sodium content is not healthy. Otherwise, if you are tired and don’t feel like rinsing off your canned black beans, just delve into it.
Are canned black beans raw or ready to eat?
Canned black beans are cooked and ready to eat. Just make sure you drain the liquid off the beans and run them under cold water to wash off some of the sodium.
How do you make canned black beans tastier?
Add olive oil and seasonings before cooking the beans. Make sure it cooks till it is tender. After its cooked, add onions, coriander leaves, mashed garlic, and sprinkle lemon juice. This will give it the flavor you want.
How do you eat black beans from a can?
Canned black beans can be eaten in any way you prefer. You can eat them straight from the can. That’s if you don’t mind the high levels of sodium present in the liquid covering the canned black beans. You can also cook it in a microwave or cook it on a pan with oil in it. Whichever way you choose to eat your black beans, they will be edible and safe.
Faqs on How to Cook Canned Black Beans in the Microwave
1. How do you cook black beans in the microwave?
Pour washed and drained black beans into a microwave-friendly dish. Add water just enough to cover the bottom of the dish. Cover the dish with a lid and let it boil up, stir it thoroughly and leave it to boil some more. Take care it doesn’t boil over.
2. Can you cook beans from a can in the microwave?
Yes, without a doubt! Place the beans in a microwave-safe dish. Add salt, garlic, and pepper. Pour a cup of water into the dish then cover tightly with a lid. Microwave on a high. Using a spoon pick one and press between your fingers to check if it’s cooked.
3. Do you need to cook black beans from a can?
Not necessarily but it’s advisable to cook canned black beans otherwise you might put yourself at risk of food-related diseases.
4. Why do black beans catch on fire in the microwave?
Black beans are a part of the dense vegetable category and they naturally contain a lot of minerals such as magnesium, iron, and selenium. The minerals have the “sparking” effect in microwaves because they tend to behave like tiny pieces of metal.
5. How do you cook beans from a can?
The best way to cook canned beans is to pour them into a microwave-friendly dish. Heat on a high for 8 minutes. You can also pour the beans into a pan filled with water and boil them for 9 minutes.
6. Do you rinse canned black beans?
Although most canned foods indicate that the food is ready to eat, you should rinse off canned black beans over running water in order to wash off the slimy liquid and any excess sodium in the beans.
7. How do you cook Goya black beans in the microwave?
Drain the liquid covering the Goya beans and rinse it off under running water. This step is very important because you need to get rid of the slimy liquid and the sodium in the beans. Next, pour the beans into a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 3 minutes or until it’s completely cooked.
8. Are black beans healthy?
Black beans are full of nutrients. They are very high in plant proteins, iron, and calcium. When incorporated into your daily meals, it can give you your daily nutrient requirements.
Conclusion
Cooking canned black beans regardless of the method used should never be basic. Black beans when cooked properly shouldn’t taste as bland as they look.
With just a little flavor and soul, it’s more than possible to cook tasty and flavor-filled canned black beans even with a microwave.
