What Do Black Beans Taste Like?

Are you looking for healthy dinner options and wondering: What do black beans taste like? Knowing how these beans taste is crucial when creating a new meal or substituting another bean in a recipe.

Black beans look attractive, with satiny black skin and a white center, but will their flavor work for your dish?

This article will examine these beloved beans and their incredible flavor. So, let’s get stuck in.

What Are Black Beans?

Black beans, also known as turtle beans, are among the 500 varieties of beans that date back at least 7000 years. These beans are native to the Americas but are now consumed worldwide.

They are about a ½ inch long and have a kidney-like structure. As their name suggests, these beans are pitch black on the outside but have a white center. 

What Do Black Beans Taste Like?

Before adding these beans to your dinner, you need to answer the question, “What do black beans taste like?”. Fortunately, these beans do not have an overwhelming flavor and can be added to almost any recipe.

When cooked, black beans are soft and smooth with a mildly sweet but earthy flavor. And their texture is creamy and meaty. These healthy beans quickly take on the taste of the seasoning and the other ingredients they are cooked with. Many vegetarians and vegans use them as a replacement for meat due to their very high protein and overall nutrient content.

Other Beans Similar To Black Beans 

Beans have multiple health benefits and can be incorporated into various meals. If you do not have access to black beans, some others deliver a similar taste.

1. Pinto Beans

Pinto beans, also known as strawberry beans, are brownish with red spots. Like black beans, they have a creamy, soft texture and a sweet, earthy flavor. These mid-sized beans are high in protein and fats.  

2. Red Kidney Beans

Red kidney beans are red and have a slightly longer shape than black beans. These beans are slightly sweeter than black beans. But they have a more meaty and dense texture, making them a good substitute for soups and chilies.

3. White Beans

As their name suggests, these beans are white and have a kidney-shaped structure. White beans are slightly smaller than black beans and do not have an overpowering taste. In fact, white beans can be used in almost any dish, as they take on the flavor of the dish.

Conclusion

Black beans are nutritious and can easily be added to any dinner recipe for added nutrition without compromising taste. These beans deliver a slightly sweet, earthy flavor. But when asking, “What do black beans taste like?” remember they absorb the flavors of the ingredients they’re cooked with.