Hearty, flavourful and nutritious, this healthy black bean recipe using black turtle beans makes for a delicious dinner or filling side. The black beans are infused with lots of flavour from ground chipotle chili pepper and smoked paprika. Once you try this easy baked black bean recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again, it’s that yummy!
Recently, hubby had a work trip to Texas for a couple of days. I always love to ask if he had any memorable meals or dishes. I’m all about the food, LOL!! Tell me. Tell me in detail!!
During his trip he said that black beans were a really common dish that was served and he loved them. Because both of us are big fans of beans, I knew I had to make some myself!
I’ve made baked beans before (homemade baked beans) and they are completely delicious, but these smoky baked black beans are different altogether.
This recipe is a tad simpler and has a different flavour profile than my other baked bean recipe; it has more of a spicy and smoky flavour from ground chipotle chili pepper and smoked paprika, it’s not tomato based and uses a different type of bean.
What Goes in This Baked Black Bean Recipe?
- Black beans (specifically black turtle beans)
- Aromatics like onion, garlic and bay leaves
- Spices like oregano, chipotle chili pepper, smoked paprika and chili powder
- Veggie broth
- BBQ sauce, tomato paste and molasses
- Salt & pepper
- Water
What Are Black Turtle Beans?
Black turtle beans are small shiny beans popular in Latin America (and parts of the United States) and are often referred to simply as “black beans.” They’re dense and mealy, which is why they work great in hearty vegan and vegetarian dishes, like this black bean recipe.
For this recipe, turtle beans were the bean of choice for me. Black beans not only taste good, they’re loaded with fibre and protein.
Find them in your grocery store where you would find dried chickpeas, lentils and the like.
Do I Have To Soak Them?
Yes, soak black beans overnight to use the next day in this black bean recipe. Soak anywhere from 8 to 24 hours. Store the beans in the fridge as they soak overnight.
Pick over beans (i.e., remove and discard any foreign objects, like rocks, and any imperfect beans) and rinse beans with cold water in a colander.
To soak, simply placed dried black beans in a large bowl and cover completely with cold water. I like to have 2 to 3 inches of water above the beans because they will expand as they soak.
How To Cook Black Beans Using Black Turtle Beans
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Drain (picked over) and soaked beans and rinse again with fresh, cold water. Place beans in a pot with water and cook for a little until tender. Drain. Add beans to a large oven-safe pot.
- Add remainder of ingredients to beans. Stir to combine.
- Cover, place the pot in the oven and cook.
- Halfway through cooking, carefully remove black beans from oven, add water. Stir and make sure beans aren’t sticking. Cook remainder of time.
- When beans are finished cooking, stir in more water to loosen and add a little more BBQ sauce.
- Season with salt and remove bay leaves.
Can I Freeze These Beans?
Yep!
After the beans have cooked and cooled, portion as desired (I like to portion smaller quantities so I can just take out what’s needed at any given time; plus, it thaws quickly) and place into vacuum sealer bags (follow the instructions for your vacuum sealer to seal). Once sealed, spread the bags out flat. Place onto a sheet pan and into your freezer. Once frozen, you can remove the sheet pan and stack the frozen packages of beans neatly in your freezer.
Alternatively, use your favourite sealable freezer-safe bags or freezer-safe containers (leaving some headspace at the top of the container for the liquid to expand as it freezes).
Freeze the beans for up to six months. Don’t forget to label the bag or container with the recipe name and date it was made, so you’ll know for later.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the black beans overnight in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place beans in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. If you want to loosen or thin them out, add a splash of broth or water.
Tips for Making This Recipe
- Don’t skip soaking the black turtle beans overnight! This cuts down on the cook time.
- This black bean recipe tastes scrumptious as it is. However, if you like (and don’t need these to be meatless), you can add a leftover ham bone into the pot once you start to bake them. Once the beans are cooked and the bone is cooled slightly, pick any excess meat from the bone, shred, and add to beans. Don’t have a ham bone? Crispy bacon works as well. Prefer as they are? That’s cool too! You do you!
- Depending on how loose or thin you want these beans add as little or as much water or broth after they’ve cooked.
Ways To Enjoy
- Enjoy as is and garnish to taste! Yummy garnish ideas (totally optional) are cilantro, a squeeze of lime, sliced or diced avocado or crumbled feta.
- Serve over nachos.
- Enjoy for breakfast with a poached egg on top.
- Yummy as a BBQ side with your fave protein.
- Delicious over grits or polenta.
More Easy Bean Recipes
Like most bean recipes, this easy black bean recipe is pretty inexpensive to make. You just need some beans and a few other ingredients and it yields quite a large amount.
Though this recipe is quite humble and most definitely not fancy, it is pretty versatile; you can enjoy with just about any meal from breakfast to dinner.
If you make this baked black bean recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
This recipe was originally published in October 2015 but has been updated.
Smoky Baked Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried black turtle beans
- water, you'll need water for rinsing, soaking and cooking the beans
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ tablespoon ground chipotle chili pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 7 tablespoons BBQ sauce, divided (⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons)
- 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Lime wedges, for serving with (optional)
Instructions
- Pick over beans and discard any foreign bits, rocks and imperfect beans. Rinse beans with fresh, cold water and drain. Place beans in a large bowl and generously cover with fresh, cold water so they're submerged (and at least two inches or so of water over top). Soak overnight, for about 12 hours.
- The next day, drain beans and rinse again with fresh, cold water.
- Place beans in a pot, cover with water (there should be an inch or two of water above the beans, basically ensuring that they are fully submerged and covered by the water), bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for about 35 to 45 minutes or until beans are tender, but not mushy (they'll finish cooking in the oven). Drain.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, place beans in an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven (about 5 quart). Add oregano, garlic, bay leaves, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, tomato paste, ⅓ cup of BBQ sauce, vegetable broth, molasses, onion and black pepper. Stir to combine. Cover and bake for 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, carefully remove the pot from the oven and add 1.5 cups of water. Stir. Place back in oven. Cook for about 2.5 to 3 hours more.Note: Time may vary, depending on how fresh your beans are and how you like them done. Continue cooking and adding water until you've reached your desired doneness and consistency.
- Carefully remove from the oven and add another ½ cup or so of water (depending on desired consistency) and stir to combine.
- Stir in remaining tablespoons of BBQ sauce. Stir in salt and adjust to taste, if necessary. Remove and discard bay leaves. I love serving up and squeezing a fresh lime wedge over top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on how loose or thin you want these beans add as little or as much water to them until you’ve reached the consistency you like best.
- Yummy garnish ideas (totally optional) are cilantro, a squeeze of lime, avocado or crumbled feta.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Renee Gardner
Love your idea of serving these for brunch with a fried egg on top! I think I’ll add extra bacon to mine too. Looks delicious!
Girl Heart Food
Sounds good 🙂 Thank you so much, Renee!
Anne Murphy
I love black beans with chipotle – and adding paprika gives them another whole layer of flavor! Just perfect!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Anne 🙂
Kelsey
Beans at our house are always a hit! I have a hard time changing them up because I cannot find a recipe! I am so glad I found this recipe!
Girl Heart Food
We love ’em too! Thanks Kelsey! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Julie
The spices in here sound so good! And with the oven on all day, this seems like such a perfect fall dish to keep the kitchen and the belly nice and warm.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Julie! Love dishes like this, especially in the fall!
Sharon
Nothing beats a pot of beans to make the perfect side dish. I love the smoky sauce and the different turtle bean you used for this.
Girl Heart Food
So true! Thanks Sharon 🙂
Shelley
I really like baked beans, especially as part of summer picnic menus. And I love so many things about this specific recipe – the unique choice of beans and all the layers of flavor, not to mention the gorgeous photos and great little tips. Terrific recipe post!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much for the kind, thoughtful comment, Shelley 🙂 So happy you enjoy it!
Jackie @TheSeasideBaker
I love a good bowl of beans. I have never heard of turtle beans, but will be on the lookout the next time I go to the store. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jackie! Hope you love it 🙂
Marisa Franca
Oh, what a yummy dish! We love all kinds of beans, especially black beans. I haven’t seen the turtle beans — of course they could go under another name. This is a definite must make recipe. And I’m a lot like you, whenever anyone says they ate something in particular that they like I want them to describe it in detail.
Girl Heart Food
Haha – glad I’m not the only one 😉 Thank you so much, Marisa!
Shashi at SavorySpin
Im so glad you republished this one, Dawn! TBH I didn’t know there was such a thing as black turtle beans until I read your post – love that they are higher in fiber and LOVE this spiced smoky rendition of them! Sounds so delish!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Shashi! They’re really yummy 🙂
prasanna hede
Oh I loved this bean recipe Dawn! Lovely flavors and spices used,looks so yumm.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Prasanna!!
Eileen Kelly
The flavors are amazing and so delicious!
Easy to prepare and inexpensive, love everything about these smoky black beans
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Eileen!
Lizzy
Yum! Love the idea of ‘smoky’ beans!! And really like the possible addition of a ham bone to infuse flavour! SO GOOD!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Lizzy 🙂 They are pretty delish! Hope you get a chance to try them soon!
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
OOOoooo these beans look good!! I love the spice used here; it really kicks the recipe up a notch! This recipe makes me realize that I do not eat beans hardly enough. I can’t wait to make these!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Dominique!! Hope you love ’em 🙂
Gloria
We love black beans. They are so nutritious, and a great alternative to meat. These beans look so good. Love the switch up from regular kidney beans. This is perfect for comfort food season.
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thank you Gloria!
Karen (Back Road Journal)
Your black beans are different and delicious sounding. Perfect for the upcoming holiday.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Karen 🙂 They sure are! Have a good one!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
Dawn – I’m loving these beans! And you are right, they are so inexpensive and are packed with all kinds of great nutrients. These beans look so lovely!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kathy! Happy you love ’em 😉
Miriam
This dish looks soooo good – I am a huge fan of beans too as is my husband, so this is right up our alley! Great for some comfort food that is soon needed, the summer has already disappeared here in London and it already feels like autumn these days 🙁 Don’t get me wrong I love Autumn but not necessarily when it is still August 🙂 Have a great weekend ahead, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Miriam! Starting to cool off a little here too. I do love fall, though! Hope you have a lovely weekend as well 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
These beans look so hearty, smoky and flavourful Dawn! They are always a must at big family brunches! I’ve never used black turtle beans in baked beans. Love the deep, rich colour they create. Hope you’re having a great week friend!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Leanne! They’re super hearty and those beans pack quite a nutritious punch 🙂 Hope you’re having a great week too!
Neha
Ever since I have seen these on insta, I was dying to read your blog post Dawn! I am loving the sound of that smoky touch you added to them.
Girl Heart Food
Yay! Thanks so much, Neha 🙂
Laura
Dawn, I love black beans, but I guess the ones I buy are not “Turtle Beans”? I think these sound so delicious! I will be looking for turtle beans to make a big batch of these – they would be excellent on a taco salad. I also love the idea of serving them with polenta, thanks for the recipe!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you very much, Laura 🙂 Taco salad? Yes! They would be a yummy addition for sure – love it! Have a wonderful week!
Sarah
This looks so perfect for fall! I’m ready for warm, satisfying recipes like this on chilly evenings 😀
Girl Heart Food
It sure is! Gotta love comfort food 🙂 Thanks Sarah!
Mimi
Your beans are beautiful – i love the red color! Black beans are a staple in my pantry, and they’re so inexpensive. All beans helped me out during our “poor” years!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you so much, Mimi 🙂 They’re a staple around here too…so versatile and good for ya…and definitely budget friendly 😉
Milena
I have breakfast on my mind right now and I can totally eat a big helping of these as part of a traditional English breakfast. Or simply with two fried eggs on top. Mmm. I think that they will be perfect – who can resist paprika and chipotle smokiness? And all the sweetness from the BBQ and molasses?
Girl Heart Food
Wouldn’t that be yummy?! Now you’re making me hungry 😉 Thanks Milena!
[email protected]
One of my favorite sides of all time right here! And do you know, I have never thought to add them to my nachos! Thanks for that tip! Happy Monday, my friend! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Yay!! You’re so welcome! Hope you get a chance to try these out soon 🙂 Happy Monday to you too! XOXO
David @ Spiced
You had me at smoky! These beans sound delicious, Dawn. I’m not familiar with turtle beans, but I do love a good traditional black bean. I love making BBQ everything around here, and these smoky black beans would be such a good side dish! Sounds delicious, my friend!
Girl Heart Food
Haha! I knew it 😉 Thank you David…it sure would make a lovely side dish! Have a great week, my friend!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I LOVE beans! Especially black beans! These look so hearty and delicious. And is it weird that I really like the color of the final dish? I don’t think I’ve ever thought that about baked beans before :). Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Kelsie! Not weird at all!! Have a great week too 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
One of my husband’s favorite sides is baked beans Dawn! And these sound totally packed with flavor. Perfect for this upcoming weekend’s BBQ! Pinning and can’t wait to try! Have a great week. XO
Girl Heart Food
Happy to hear that, Mary Ann!! Definitely a great idea to have with BBQ! Thanks, my friend 🙂 XO
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Eee! I love black beans! Smoky- spicy black beans? NOM NOM! I could pair these with everything! And devour with abandon! So yum!!! Cheers, girlie!
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Cheyenne 🙂 Thanks so much! I was really pleased with the end result…don’t mind eating extra ’cause they’re so good for you! Hubby and I were eating them straight out of the pot as soon as I took them out of the oven, lol!!