Super flavorful and packed with fiber and protein, these 10-Minute Spiced Black Beans are the perfect addition to any salad, burrito bowl, or Stuffed Sweet Potato! We simply combine the black beans with the spices in a pan and cook together until fragrant!

I’m on a mission to rebrand beans.
I know what you’re thinking; beans are boring, bland, and the type of food you only ate once a year in that bean salad at the family barbecue.
But let me tell you, these Spiced Black Beans are different. In fact, I feel confident in saying that all of my bean recipes are different because I’m on a mission to make beans sexy.
As a Registered Dietitian, I know that beans are one of the most nutritious foods we could be eating. They’re high in fiber (which most North Americans don’t get enough of), protein, and most are a great source of iron and calcium.
Plus, they’re so versatile that they can be used in a 30-minute pasta to boost the fiber and protein, like in my Sundried Tomato, White Bean, and Kale Pasta, or served in a saucy, smoky tomato base on toast for lunch.
Particularly, I love that these spicy black beans only take 10 minutes to make, meaning they’re the perfect protein addition to any meal while also being seriously delicious.
Are Canned Beans as Healthy As Dried?
Heck yes! Canned beans are just as nutritious as dried beans. The main difference is that canned beans are typically kept in the liquid that they were cooked in, which is a mixture of water and salt.
This gooey liquid isn’t harmful by any means but can cause gassiness in some people. This, alongside the fact that it contains salt, is why I typically recommend rinsing beans really well before using them.
Do beans usually make you feel gassy? You’re totally not alone. If so, I recommend making sure you’re rinsing your canned beans well before using them, and increasing the amount you eat slowly. Start with just a couple of tablespoons of beans per day, then increase to 1/4 cup per day, then 1/2 cup per day… You get the idea!
Main Ingredients
Canned Black Beans: When I have the option, I usually opt for canned beans that are lower in sodium. But, if there aren’t any low-sodium options, it’s no biggie! I just make sure to drain and rinse the beans well before using them.
Spices: We use lots of chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili flakes to make these beans super flavorful, so you actually want to eat them. If you’re not a spice lover, you can try cutting the amounts in half!
How to Use These Spicy Black Beans
- In a bowl or salad, like my Burrito Bowl with Spicy Lime Sauce
- With rice and avocado as a simple meal
- In a wrap with lots of veggies
- In a taco salad!
- As a snack on their own
- In Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
How to Make These Spiced Black Beans
These beans are so easy to make! We simply combine the beans with the spices in a pan and heat until deliciously fragrant. Here are the steps:
- Drain and rinse your beans.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat with the olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the drained and rinsed beans.
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until you notice that some of the beans have started to crack open.
- That’s it! Use these beans in your favorite salad, burrito, wrap, stuffed potatoes, or as a snack!
Can I Store These as Leftovers?
Definitely! I recommend refrigerating leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Feel free to double the recipe, since you can use these spicy black beans in other recipes, like my Vegan Burrito Bowl with Spicy Lime Sauce.
More Bean Recipes
Lemon, Rosemary & White Bean Soup [Vegan]
The Best Vegan Healthy Macaroni Salad
Connect with Lauren
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do! If you try it, let me know what you think by leaving a rating and a review in the comments below. You can also find 60 other delicious, easy plant-based recipes in my cookbook, The Simple Vegan Kitchen!
Also, be sure to take a photo and tag me at @tastingtothrive_rd so I can re-share on my stories! Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest so you never miss a new recipe or nutrition post.
10-Minute Spiced Black Beans (with Canned Beans!)
Equipment
- 1 Large pan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 540 ml canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Drain and rinse your beans.
- Heat a large pan over medium heat with the olive oil. Once the pan is hot, add the drained and rinsed beans.
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili flakes, salt and pepper. Stir to combine, and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until you notice that some of the beans have started to crack open.
- Use the beans in your favorite salad, burrito, wrap, stuffed potatoes, or as a snack!
this is a wonderful recipe for a meatless taco salad!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it!
Several have asked me when it says 1 serving how much is that?
Serving size needs to be specified please.
Hi Debra! This recipe makes ~2 cups of beans, which could be 4 servings. But this depends on what you’re using them for, how hungry you are, etc!
So flavorful and yet so simple! I made the beans to add as a topping to my beef bowl. Thank you sharing!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it!
Have you ever thought about how the convenience of canned beans affects the overall quality and flavor of your dishes compared to using dried beans?”,
“refusal
Honestly the convenience totally outweighs any small flavor changes for me!
This was delicious. I added chopped onions and tomatoes to my beans. Was a great bean burrito meal.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Amy!
The seasoning was delicious. Had a can of pinto beans as well, so added those, too. Great addition to our potato bar night.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Pinto beans would also be delicious 🙂
I’m glad everyone enjoyed it so. I made it tonight and had the same problem I always have with black bean recipes as printed. They were flavorful, though I would reduce the amount of cumin, which I love, but which I don’t believe is supposed to be the dominate herb in the dish, but more importantly, the beans are so dry that they are inedible. Not just in this recipe, but in any that don’t include broth or liquid of any kind. I reduced the chili peppers and could have done so more. The problem for me is that every spice stood out on its own, never melding with the whole. I finally added some heated chicken broth so I could eat it. I really needed the legumes and on the whole enjoy the spices, but would work to make them layered instead of standouts at every level.
Hi Lynette! It sounds like you’re looking for a ‘saucier’ bean recipe- I definitely recommend trying my ‘Smoky Maple Beans on Toast’ or ‘Sticky Sesame Chickpeas with Ginger’!