You can easily reheat black bean leftovers on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven. In fact, these beans save and reheat pretty well and they can easily be combined with another dish.
Although we normally consume black beans warm and heated, what should we do with leftovers? How to store them properly? Which type of reheating is the best choice? These are some common questions all of us have, so it’s high time that we answered all of them!
Fun, easy to use, and fast, all of the reheating methods are easy to learn.
You just need to learn the duration of the reheating, the ideal temperature, and several other important elements and you’re good to go!
Table of Contents
Can You Reheat Black Beans?
Same as any other type of beans, black bean leftovers reheat well. Although they reheat better when already a part of some dish, you can also reheat or warm them up on their own.
The former prevents the beans from becoming too mushy. Both canned and cooked black beans reheat well and they’re a great side dish or an individual meal option.
By saving and reheating black beans (and all other types of beans), you prevent food waste and ensure you always have quality food in your kitchen. To keep black bean leftovers safe and in good shape, divide them into meal portions and keep them in a proper container in the fridge.
In this way, they will last and preserve their optimal taste and safety for three to four days. If you don’t plan to eat them within that period, put the leftovers in the freezer. In this way, you prolong their duration and quality for up to several months.
What Are the Different Ways to Reheat Black Beans?
Leftover black beans can be easily reheated using the stove, the oven, or the microwave. Each of these methods has its pros and cons, but all of them are viable options.
Whichever of these three methods you choose, they’re easy to learn and you needn’t worry about any leftovers ending in the trashcan.
Warm up the black beans and enjoy them in a tasty meal like the ones we shared in the next section. And, here’s how to reheat black beans in each of these three ways:
- In the oven
This is a great way to reheat black beans, especially baked ones, or meals with baked beans. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the beans to an oven-safe container and add a bit of liquid to loosen up the beans. Cover them with a foil and reheat for ten minutes. Make sure you stir them up halfway. Enjoy!
- On the stove
This is the most common way of reheating black beans. Transfer them to a pot or a pan and set the stove to low heat.
If they look dry, add a bit of water to achieve a better consistency. Cook them for five to six minutes or until they’re hot enough. Enjoy!
- In the microwave
This is the most convenient and practical way to reheat black beans. Transfer the black beans to a microwave-safe container and pop them in the microwave.
Make sure you’ve covered them with a paper towel or plastic wrap. Set the microwave to 30 seconds and check to see if they’ve reheated entirely. Enjoy!
Additional ways to reheat black beans (yes, there are more!):
- In the air fryer
Air fryers are great for reheating various foods, including black beans. Set the fryer to 350 degrees F and reheat the beans for five minutes. Check to see if they’re warm enough and serve.
- In a toaster oven
This is yet another great way to reheat black bean leftovers. And, the good news is that the process is the same as reheating black beans in the oven.
When reheating black beans, these are the factors to take into consideration:
- Duration
The duration of the reheating may be as short as 30 seconds in the microwave to as long as ten minutes in the oven.
The length of the reheating depends on the method you’ve chosen. Therefore, there’s no one set amount of time that’s ideal for reheating black beans.
- Temperature
The temperature necessary to reheat black beans also varies. For example, in the air fryer, this is 350 degrees F.
On the other hand, lower temperature settings in the oven and microwave are enough. This is essential to prevent overcooking.
Therefore, always set the temperature according to the method of reheating you’ve chosen!
How to Include Black Beans in Your Diet?
Abundant in impressive nutrients, including protein, fiber, carbs, and antioxidants, black beans are deservingly referred to as one of the healthiest foods in the world.
By including them in your diet, you help lower your risk of certain health problems and give the body strength for better processing of calories.
When consuming black beans, make sure they’re well-cooked and unspoiled. Eating spoiled beans may result in nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and other symptoms of food poisoning. In serious cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
To check for spoiled black beans, look for signs like very strong and unpleasant odor, unusual appearance, and mold.
Black beans, either canned or cooked, can be easily added to any type of diet. Below, check some delicious ways to incorporate black bean leftovers into your diet:
- Quesadillas
Fill half a tortilla with black beans and cheese. Warm up a bit of butter in a pan on medium heat. Fold the tortilla in half and cook it on both sides for several minutes.
Serve it with your favorite dressing and sauce. Voila, your lunch with leftover black beans is ready!
- Tacos
Warm up several tortillas in a pan and then fill them with a mix of leftover black beans, some lettuce, and sour cream.
Enjoy your tacos over lunch or dinner.
- Nachos
Your kids will love this option to use leftover black beans. Spread some corn chips in a sheet pan and cover it with cheese or cheddar.
Drop equal amounts of the black beans on top. Bake the ingredients for 8 to 10 minutes and serve with some sour cream or guacamole.
Final Thoughts
Tasty, nutritious, and easily incorporated into any diet, black beans are deservingly some of the most popular legumes out there.
And, the good news is that you can easily store and reheat black bean leftovers. This method doesn’t just lower the amount of food waste you create but also allows you to have tasty ingredients that you can eat individually or incorporate with other meals.
There are numerous ways of reheating beans-from using the air fryer to choosing the classic stove option, each of them will warm the beans up and have them as delicious as the first time you’ve cooked them.
Always set the duration and temperature accordingly and you’re good to go!
