Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hearty black beans slow-braised with fresh sugarcane spirit, molasses, and garlic, finished with fresh cilantro for a rich and earthy side dish. This latin american-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 100 minutes pairs dried black beans, fresh cane spirit, blackstrap molasses for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 210 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
  2. Step 2: Drain beans and place in a large pot with 4 cups fresh water, 1/4 cup fresh cane spirit, 1 tbsp blackstrap molasses, 1/2 cup diced yellow onion, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp salt.
  3. Step 3: Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 to 1.5 hours until beans are tender, adding water as needed.
  4. Step 4: In a skillet, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 4 cloves minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Stir the garlic and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro into the cooked beans. Season with 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  6. Step 6: Simmer for another 5 minutes to blend flavors before serving as a rich, flavorful side or base for a hearty meal.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro take to make?

Total time is about 100 minutes (10 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep dried black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

Is Molasses and Cane Spirit Braised Black Beans with Garlic and Cilantro vegan?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes