Fried beans recipe is a dish made out of a few basic ingredients that have such a cosmic savory-to-affordability ratio.
The context of the coronavirus pandemic has forced us to stock up with many dried or canned grains, legumes, and cereals. I will come up today with a delicious fried beans recipe made out of products that most probably you already have in your pantry: canned beans or dried beans. You might also like other recipes made with beans such as the Instant Pot Ham and Beans Soup, Healthy Red Beans and Rice, and the Instant Pot Bean Soup Recipe.
Whether it’s white, red, or mottled, canned beans are perfect if you don’t want to waste a lot of time in the kitchen, sifting the beans and changing the water, or waiting for a day to pass before the beans soften.
However, if you have the time and you do want to feel the real authentic bean taste, see below how to cook the beans from scratch.
How to cook raw beans?
Canned beans will save you lots of time, yet, only beans cooked from scratch will give that authentic bean taste and granny’s nostalgia. Try to cook the beans from scratch, and most probably you will never buy canned beans again. In this recipe, I will share with you my way of cooking beans, more exactly, my grandmother’s and my mother’s way of cooking beans.
Start by cleaning the beans from impurities if there are any, and by washing them well. Use a pot or a large bowl to soak the beans overnight in cold water, one evening before proceeding to the actual preparation.
Before proceeding to the actual cooking, drain the water in which the beans have sook overnight. Pour in new fresh water and bring the beans to a boil. When the water starts to boil the second time, a foam “hat” will form on top. This first water has to be drained after 2-3 minutes of boiling. The purpose of this operation is to reduce those unwanted “side effects” like bloating and gas.
How long do the beans boil?
Add the second round of cold water and some bay leaves and put it to boil at medium-low heat. Normally, the beans soaked for 10-12 hours should boil in 40-45 minutes. Therefore, set your timer for 45 minutes and make yourself a good cup of tea or coffee, grab a book, and spend your time wisely while the beans are boiling.
When the cooking time expires it is good to check whether the beans are well cooked. The beans must be well tenderized, but not crushed, their shape should be defined. If you’ve tasted the beans and they are as described, it is time to salt them. The beans are ready. The reason you should cook the beans from dry is also for its cooking liquid. The bean cooking broth is a delicious broth excellent to use for bean recipes. Now you have the boiled beans made from scratch, but fresher and healthier than the canned ones.
You may store them in the fridge for up to one week. Spoon the needed amount to further fry in a pan with some sauteed onion.
How to fry beans?
Now that you have the boiled beans, let’s get this recipe to another level. Peel and chop one onion and a couple of garlic cloves. Heat a frying pan and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the chopped onion and garlic and let cook on medium-low heat until lightly golden. At this point, add the canned or boiled beans and season to taste. Add a pinch of salt and ground pepper and for extra flavor, you might consider adding smoked paprika and some granulated garlic. Add a few tablespoons of the bean stock. Let the beans cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. This little cooking time is enough to soak in the flavors and to become a dish worthy of anyone’s attention.
To add a note of freshness to such a hearty dish I like to saute a few cheery tomatoes in a different frying pan then add them on top of the fried beans. The juiciness and acidity of the sauteed tomatoes perfectly complement the creamy hearty taste of the fried beans.
How to serve fried beans?
Serve the fried beans with sauteed tomatoes on top. You might as well sprinkle some shredded parmesan for a creamier serving. Finally, sprinkle with parsley or freshly chopped green onion. Pair the fried bean with a fresh salad such as the Roasted Beet Salad with Carrots and Nuts, Roasted Bell Pepper Salad with Feta Cheese or the Fresh and Easy Spinach Salad, and a loaf of fresh crunchy bread. Enjoy your meal!
Fried Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cans beans white
- 1 medium onion yellow
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 3-4 cherry tomatoes optional
- 2-3 tbsp parmesan optional
- 2 tbsp chopped spring onion
Instructions
- Peel and chop the onion and the garlic cloves
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil and sautee the chopped onion and garlic until translucent
- Add 2 cans of canned beans or 2.5 cups of boiled beans
- Season with spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes
- Sautee some cherry tomatoes and add them on top before serving
- Optionally, sprinkle some parmesan on the hot beans for it to melt
- Serve with pleasure
