These Cafe Rio black beans are loaded with flavor! Hints of garlic and cumin take these ordinary beans and make them extraordinary! 

Going along with all things Cafe Rio, these Cafe Rio style black beans mesh perfectly with the other copycat Cafe Rio recipes on Salt & Baker: Cafe Rio sweet pork, cilantro lime rice, and Cafe Rio cilantro lime dressing. 

A skillet full of Cafe Rio style black beans.

These black beans are so easy to make (20 minutes total) partially because we use canned black beans. (YESSSS!)

How to make Cafe Rio Black Beans

…AKA black beans with flavor.

In a nonstick skillet over medium heat cook the olive oil, garlic, and cumin for 2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add the black beans. Cook for about 5 minutes or until some of the liquid from the beans has evaporated/been absorbed.

A skillet with black beans in it.

Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Season to taste.

Stir in the chopped cilantro.

Serve warm!

Chopped cilantro overtop of black beans.

It’s crazy how simple and easy this recipe is. It takes a total of 20 minutes, from start to finish, to make this black beans recipe.

A wooden spoon stirring a pan of homemade Cafe Rio black beans.

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A skillet full of Cafe Rio style black beans.
Print Review
5 from 7 votes

Cafe Rio Black Beans

Flavorful Cafe Rio style black beans... they taste just like the ones you order from the restaurant!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 2 15 oz cans black beans - drain and rinse 1 can, don't drain the other
  • 1 garlic clove - minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup cilantro - chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the olive oil, garlic, and cumin for 2 minutes or until fragrant.
  • Add the black beans. Cook for about 5 minutes or until some of the liquid from the beans has evaporated/been absorbed.
  • Stir in the tomato sauce and water. Season to taste.
  • Stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve warm!

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal (6%)Carbohydrates: 1gProtein: 2g (4%)Fat: 4g (6%)Saturated Fat: 1g (5%)Sodium: 169mg (7%)Potassium: 55mg (2%)Fiber: 2g (8%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 100IU (2%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 4mgIron: 1mg (6%)
author: Whitney Wright
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
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