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Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
While my go-to Whole Foods may have a reputation for stocking staples with a heftier price tag, you can spot some great deals if you scour the aisles (and take your time!). I’ve been shopping at this grocer since it was called Bread and Circus, so I know a thing or two about finding ingredients on the shelves that won’t break the bank.
One pantry staple I always grab at Whole Foods is a pouch of A Dozen Cousins Cuban Black Beans. At just $3, this protein-packed, flavor-rich find can elevate all kinds of meals, and for years, it’s been a must-have in my kitchen.
What Makes A Dozen Cousins’ Black Beans So Good?
A Dozen Cousins follows a Frijoles Negros recipe, a Cuban tradition of preparing black beans by cooking them with aromatics and seasonings. The brand starts with a fragrant sofrito made from onions, garlic, bell peppers, and avocado oil, then cooks the protein in this flavorful base. You’ll also taste tangy notes from the apple cider vinegar, a hint of sweetness from the tomato paste, and an earthy undertone from the spices these legumes simmer with.
Did I mention that these pouches are microwave-friendly? In just 60 seconds, you’ll have a warm serving of black beans ready to level up so many meals—breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
How to Use A Dozen Cousins’ Cuban Black Beans
A Dozen Cousins
Toss Them in Eggs
In the morning, I’ll scramble eggs and stir in a few spoonfuls of these black beans for a heartier, more flavorful breakfast. For an extra tasty touch, I’ll top this meal off with fresh cilantro, a drizzle of salsa, ripe avocado, and cotija cheese.
Stuff Them in a Quesadilla
I spread these black beans on a tortilla, add some shredded cheese—Monterey Jack or Chihuahua work great—and grill it until it’s toasted and melty. With just three ingredients and a few minutes, this quick-to-assemble quesadilla hack always surprises me in the best way.
Spoon Them Over a Hearty Salad
When prepping salads, I like to swap out my usual proteins such as chicken, salmon, or tuna for these seasoned black beans. My favorite base for these legumes is a bed of romaine with a pile of taco-style toppings such as shredded cheese, salsa, cherry tomatoes, corn, pickled red onions, tortilla strips, and avocado with a zesty cilantro-lime dressing to finish it off.
Blend Into a Hummus
I sometimes dump a pouch of these Cuban beans into a blender and purée until smooth for a quick hummus. The nice part is that you don’t need to add anything since this protein comes deliciously seasoned. This creamy snack pairs nicely with crudités, warm pita, or tortilla chips on the side.
Use Them to Make a Burger
I often mash A Dozen Cousins Cuban Black Beans with one egg and about a fourth of a cup of panko bread crumbs to help bind everything together and make plant-based burgers. To prevent the patties from falling apart, I let them sit in the refrigerator for one to two hours before pan-frying. Then, I serve them on a buttery brioche bun with a bunch of toppings, like ripe avocado and tomatoes.
Let Them Stew in a Chili
On those frigid days when I’m searching for something warm and comforting, I’ll take a classic chili recipe and replace the traditional can of black beans with the Cuban ones from A Dozen Cousins. They will fill your soup with aromatic sofrito-like notes.
Where to Find A Dozen Cousins’ Bean Pouches
Beyond Whole Foods, you can snag these black beans at major grocers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon (A Dozen Cousins even has a super convenient digital store locator so that you can find a pack near you). You can spot each pouch for around $3 in the dry goods aisle next to the other canned legumes. The brand also offers an assortment of other flavors, like Mexican Pinto Beans, Creole Red Beans, Trini Chickpea Curry, and more—so you’ll have plenty of options to try if you love this convenient and delicious line of pantry staples.
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