These easy oil-free black beans are completely plant-based, gluten-free, quick to prepare, and, most importantly, delicious. Perfect for dinner tonight!

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Life is busy! But lack of time doesn't mean lack of yummy plant-based meals to devour (or lack of recipes to share with you!) It just means simple recipes that don't take too long.

Whether you're a busy student, a mom of young kids, a working professional, or just someone who wants to spend time NOT cooking, oil-free black beans are your new best friend.

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This recipe saves time without compromising on flavor with two simple tricks:

1. Canned Beans. You could definitely cook your own. The process involves a pre-soak and active cook time. If you have time, go for it! You'll reap the benefits of consuming less sodium :) But for those of us busy people (who isn't?!) canned beans are the way to go. Look for an organic, low-sodium, BPA-free can.
2. Spices. Using spices to create flavors of fresh foods shortens prep-time immensely. If you don't already have a large spice collection, now's the time to invest! So. Much. FLAVOR.

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Why I love these Easy Oil-Free Black Beans

• Dietary needs — these beans are plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and sugar-free
• Nutrient dense — beans are high in protein and fiber, two nutrients we all should be getting more of!
• Literally so easy — all you're doing in this recipe is adding some extra flavor to a can of beans. It takes less than 10 minutes to make this dish and you probably have everything you need for the dish already in your kitchen

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Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Canned Black Beans: if you have the time and want to cook dry beans, go for it! Otherwise, a can is perfect. Look for canned black beans without any added ingredients like sugar or salt
• Red Onion: you can sub yellow or red. You can sub 2 tablespoons of onion powder if you don't have an onion on hand.
• Spices: garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, turmeric, salt & pepper. If you don't have one of these spices, you can omit it or sub something similar. For smoked paprika you could sub regular paprika. For chili powder you could sub cayenne.
• Lime Juice: lime juice adds a kick of acid. You could sub lemon juice.
• Cilantro: fresh or freeze dried cilantro gives the beans a little burst of green. If you don't have cilantro, omit it.

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How to make Easy Oil-Free Black Beans

Step 1. If you have time, you can chop some onions. Give them a quick sauté in a non-stick pan. Add a tablespoon of veggie broth if they start to stick.

Step 2. Add a can of black beans to your non-stick. Make sure to include the liquid.

Step 3. While the beans are warming/softening, start adding your spices. If you didn't sauté onions and garlic, add onion powder and garlic powder.

Step 4. Then add paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 5. Finally, for a bit of citrus flavor, add some lime juice. You can use fresh if you have time. I often use juice from a bottle because I have it on hand.

Step 6. Cook for several minutes, until the liquid from the can has thickened and the black beans are soft. The liquid may start to bubble -- this is normal.

Soon you'll have thick oil-free black beans to devour. Enjoy!

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Recipe Prayer

Bless us, Lord, in our busy lives. Watch over us in all the activities that fill our days. Keep us healthy with the foods that we eat and draw us back to you always. Amen.

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Related Recipes

Looking for other plant-based dinner recipes? These are some of my favorites:

• Cauliflower White Sauce
• Chickpea Yogurt Soup
• Oil-Free Authentic Falafel
• Balsamic Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato
• Miso Mustard Protein Bowl with Butternut Squash

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Tried this recipe?

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