Pan-Fried Cornmeal Arepas with Black Beans and Cilantro Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

Golden cornmeal arepas pan-fried to perfection, served with seasoned black beans and a bright cilantro garlic sauce for dipping. This Latin American-inspired street-food recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs pre-cooked cornmeal (masa harina), warm water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (masa harina)
• 1 1/2 cups warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• to taste salt

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal, 1 tsp salt, and slowly pour in 1 1/2 cups warm water, mixing with your hands until a soft dough forms. Let rest for 5 minutes.
2. Step 2: Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and shape each into a 4-inch diameter, 1/2-inch thick patty.
3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Fry the arepas for about 5-6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and sound hollow when tapped.
4. Step 4: While arepas cook, heat 1 cup cooked black beans in a small saucepan with 1/2 tsp ground cumin and a pinch of salt over medium heat for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: For the cilantro garlic sauce, blend 3 garlic cloves, 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup olive oil, and salt to taste until smooth and bright green.
6. Step 6: Serve the warm arepas alongside the spiced black beans and drizzle or dip with the cilantro garlic sauce.