Bushra Griffith
Black beans are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from Mexican-inspired meals to vegetarian chili. When it comes to choosing a cheese to pair with black beans, there are several options to consider. For a simple and delicious side dish, Cheesy Black Beans & Rice is a great option, where you top rice with black beans and cheese and cook until melted. For a more hearty option, a Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet is a perfect choice, where you bake the beans with spices and cheese until melted and golden. If you're looking for a more authentic Mexican option, Cotija cheese is a popular choice to sprinkle on top of black beans, adding a creamy texture and a salty contrast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cheese types | Cotija, Cheddar, Jack, Mexican blend |
| Cheese texture | Crumbled |
| Cheese quantity | Sprinkle |
| Black bean dishes | Side dish, Cheesy Black Bean & Rice, Burrito bowls, Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Nachos |
| Other ingredients | Sour cream, Cilantro, Avocado, Bacon, Chicken, Rice, Salsa |
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What You'll Learn
Mexican-inspired black bean dishes
Cheesy Mexican Black Beans
This dish is a simple and healthy side or main that can be made in just a few minutes with only a handful of ingredients. Start by rinsing and draining your black beans. Place them in a pot over medium heat and stir in salsa, cumin, cheese, and salt. Keep stirring until the cheese has melted and the beans are hot. You can use Kerrygold cheese, made from grass-fed cow's milk, or Cotija cheese, which is often used in Mexican cuisine.
Cheesy Black Beans and Rice
This dish is a hearty and flavourful option that can be served as a main course or side dish. Simply place cooked rice in a casserole dish, top with black beans and cheese, and cook until the cheese is melted. You can use cheddar, jack cheese, or a Mexican blend. Serve with salsa verde for an extra kick of flavour.
Mexican Black Beans with Chicken Enchiladas
These Mexican black beans are a perfect side dish to accompany chicken enchiladas. They are simple to make and packed with flavour. Start by sautéing chopped onion, garlic, and jalapeno until softened. Add black beans, green chiles, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne, and stir to combine. Simmer for about 10 minutes, then remove from the heat and stir in cilantro and lime juice. Finally, garnish with crumbled Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro.
Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet
This vegetarian dish is a Mexican-inspired twist on a classic chili. It's saucy, cheesy, and packed with flavour. You'll need spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and crushed red pepper, along with enchilada sauce. Add your black beans and stir to combine, then sprinkle cheese on top and bake until melted and golden. Serve with lime wedges and enjoy!
With these recipes, you can easily create delicious and cheesy Mexican-inspired black bean dishes that are perfect for any meal. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses and ingredients to find your favourite combinations!
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Cheeses that pair well with black beans
Mexican black beans are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or incorporated into various meals. They are packed with protein, fibre, and iron and can be made with simple ingredients.
There are several cheeses that pair well with black beans. One popular option is Cotija cheese, a salty and creamy Mexican cheese that can be crumbled or sprinkled on top of the beans. This cheese is often used as a garnish for Mexican black beans, adding a creamy texture and a salty contrast to the dish. Another option is queso fresco, a fresh and mild cheese that can be sprinkled on top of black beans to add a creamy and tangy element to the dish.
For those who want a spicy kick, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce can be added to the beans, which pairs well with cheddar cheese. Jack cheese and a Mexican blend are also suitable options for those who prefer a milder taste.
Black beans can also be used as a filling for quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or enchiladas, all of which can be topped with cheese. For a simple and hearty meal, black beans can be placed on top of rice and then covered with cheese, baked until melted, and served immediately. This dish is a tasty vegetarian option and can be customised with salsa verde or other toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.
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Black beans as a side dish
Black beans are a versatile dish that can be served as a side or incorporated into a main course. They are a staple in Mexican cuisine, often served as a side dish to complement tacos, enchiladas, or any other southwest-inspired meal. They are packed with plant-based protein and fibre, making them a nutritious option.
When preparing black beans as a side dish, there are several recipes to consider. One option is to create a Mexican-style black bean dish with simple ingredients like chopped onions, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. After sautéing the vegetables and spices, add the black beans, green chiles, and cook for about 10 minutes. Finish by stirring in cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper to taste. This dish can be served as a side and garnished with crumbled Cotija cheese.
Another option is to make refried black beans, which can be served as a side or used as a filling for quesadillas or nachos. To prepare refried black beans, cook bacon pieces in a pan until crispy, then remove the bacon and add the beans. Use a potato masher to mash the beans into a smooth, creamy paste. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve with the bacon pieces and crumbled Cotija cheese on top.
For a vegetarian option, black beans can be prepared with rice and cheese. Layer cooked rice in a casserole dish, top it with black beans, and then cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and serve immediately. This dish can be customised with salsa verde or other toppings.
Additionally, black beans can be prepared as a spicy skillet dish with a Mexican twist. This recipe includes spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and crushed red pepper, along with enchilada sauce. After adding the beans, salt, and pepper, sprinkle cheese on top and bake until melted. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the dish.
Black beans are a flavourful and nutritious side dish that can be easily customised to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. They pair well with a variety of main courses and can be prepared in advance, making them a convenient option for meal prep.
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Black beans as a main course
Black beans are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including as a main course. Here are some ideas for using black beans as a main course:
Mexican Black Beans
Mexican black beans are a flavorful and nutritious option that can be served as a main course. They are typically made with simple ingredients such as black beans, onions, garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. You can also add in green chiles, cilantro, and lime juice to enhance the flavor. To make it a main course, serve the beans over white rice or with Cilantro Lime Black Bean Rice. You can also add grilled meats or fish on the side. For an extra touch of flavor, add a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of queso fresco or cotija cheese on top.
Cheesy Black Beans & Rice
This dish is a delicious and simple vegetarian main course. It is made by layering rice, black beans, and cheese in a casserole dish and baking it until the cheese is melted. You can use any type of cheese you like, such as cheddar, jack cheese, or a Mexican blend. Serve it with salsa verde for an extra kick of flavor.
Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet
This vegetarian dish is a Mexican-inspired twist on traditional chili. It is made with black beans, spices such as smoked paprika, cumin, and crushed red pepper, and enchilada sauce. You can add in other ingredients such as tomato paste and red pepper flakes for extra heat. The dish is topped with cheese and baked until melted and golden. Serve it with lime wedges and toppings such as sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.
Black Refried Beans
Black refried beans are a simple and tasty main course that can be made with just three ingredients: black beans, bacon, and cotija cheese. The beans are mashed into a smooth, creamy paste and seasoned with salt and pepper. You can serve them in a bowl with the bacon pieces and crumbled cotija cheese on top, or spread them in a tortilla to make a quesadilla.
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Black bean recipes
Black beans are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, from sides to mains, and are perfect for meal prep. They are nutritious, packed with plant-based protein, fibre, and iron, and can be made quickly and easily with simple ingredients.
Mexican Black Beans
This flavourful dish is a staple in Mexican cuisine, and can be served as a side or used as an ingredient in burrito bowls. It is made with simple ingredients such as black beans, cumin, chilli powder, and cayenne, and can be garnished with crumbled Cotija cheese and chopped cilantro. It can be served with a variety of dishes, such as tacos, enchiladas, or tamales, or used as a filling for burritos or quesadillas.
Cheesy Black Beans & Rice
This dish is a delicious and simple side that can be made by layering rice, black beans, and cheese in a casserole dish and baking until the cheese is melted. It can be served with salsa verde for an extra flavour boost.
Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet
A vegetarian dish with a Mexican twist, this skillet meal is saucy, cheesy, and packed with flavour. It uses spices like smoked paprika, cumin, and crushed red pepper, along with enchilada sauce, and is topped with cheese that is baked until melted and golden. It can be served with lime wedges and garnishes such as sour cream, cilantro, or avocado.
Black Refried Beans
This dish is made with just three ingredients: cooked black beans, bacon, and Cotija cheese. The beans are mashed into a smooth, creamy paste and seasoned with salt and pepper, then served with bacon pieces and crumbled Cotija cheese on top. It can be used as a dip for chips or spread in a tortilla to make quesadillas.
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Frequently asked questions
Cotija cheese is a popular choice for garnishing black beans. It is a soft Mexican white cheese made from cow's milk. It is similar to feta cheese but is creamier and saltier.
There are many recipes that use black beans and cheese, including Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet, Cheesy Black Beans & Rice, and Black Refried Beans.
The ingredients used in Cheesy Spicy Black Bean Skillet are olive oil, onions, garlic, tomato paste, smoked paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, beans, salt, pepper, enchilada sauce, and cheese.
The ingredients used in Cheesy Black Beans & Rice are rice, salsa, water, lime juice, black beans, cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomatoes, and cilantro.
The ingredients used in Black Refried Beans are bacon, cooked black beans, and Cotija cheese.
