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These copycat Cafe Rio black beans are easy to make at home and are a great side dish for all your favorite Mexican food.Â
Cafe Rio Black Beans are so delicious that they changed my mind about beans. Because I have texture issues, beans are usually not my top choice but these black beans are yummy and can be served as a side dish or as part of a Cafe Rio Pork Salad.
They are easy to make and with just a few simple ingredients they are so much more favorable than just black beans straight out of the can.
Black Bean Ingredients
- Black Beans
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Olive Oil
- Tomato Juice
- Cilantro
Do I Have to Use Canned Beans?
Instead of canned beans you can also use dry beans and make them in an Instant Pot. After they are done processing add them in, in place of the drained beans.
How to Make Cafe Rio Black Beans
- Drain and rinse beans.
- Saute garlic, cumin and olive oil over medium heat in a pan until you can smell it! Only about a minute. Be careful not to burn garlic as it will turn bitter.
- Add in drained beans, tomato juice and seasoning. Simmer until some of the liquid is absorbed and evaporated and thicken up.
- Stir in chopped cilantro when ready to serve
Check out these other copycat Cafe Rio recipes:
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Cafe Rio Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2-15 oz cans black beans (drained)
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 teaspoons cumin or cumin seed
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 C tomato juice
- salt kosher or sea salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a pan,saute garlic, cumin and olive oil over medium heat until you can smell it! Only about a minute. Be careful not to burn garlic as it will turn bitter.
- Add beans, tomato juice and seasoning. Simmer until some of the liquid is absorbed and evaporated.
- Stir in chopped cilantro when ready to serve
Christy Bergeron says
I made these beans last night, with your chicken fajita recipe. Everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing your cooking gift! ~Christy
Kim says
Thanks for a great recipe! Made this for a family dinner last night and everyone loved it and I had several requests for the recipe. Definitely a hit!
Leigh Anne says
So glad everyone enjoyed it
teresa says
I think I need to go to Cafe rio….never been. I hear a lot about them…but none in my area.
Thanks for sharing your recipes….they are awesome!
Michelle@yagottahaveahobby says
I love Cafe Rio Pork (we don’t have one here, but we love the crock pot recipe!), and I bet these would be delicious with that and some Lime Cilantro rice!
Sarah H. says
My cafe rio pork has been marinating all night and I am ready to put it in my crockpot! I can’t wait to taste it. Now I am adding these black beans to the menu for tonight. Thanks for another great, easy dinner idea!