Description
A flavorful Mexican-inspired bean dish featuring tender white or pinto beans simmered in a tangy sauce made from roasted tomatillos, jalapeño, onion, garlic, and fresh cilantro. This versatile recipe works beautifully as a side dish, a filling for tacos, or served over rice or tortilla chips for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked white or pinto beans
- 5 tomatillos, husked and rinsed
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 jalapeño, seeded or unseeded
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Roast Vegetables: Roast the tomatillos, chopped onion, garlic cloves, and jalapeño either under a broiler or in a hot skillet until the outside of the vegetables is lightly charred and softened, which enhances their flavor and develops the signature smoky tang of the dish.
- Blend Sauce Base: Transfer the roasted vegetables to a blender, add the fresh cilantro, and blend until the mixture is mostly smooth, forming a vibrant green sauce that will coat the beans.
- Heat Olive Oil: In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for cooking the tomatillo sauce and spices.
- Cook Tomatillo Mixture: Pour the blended tomatillo and cilantro mixture into the heated saucepan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the raw taste to cook off.
- Add Spices and Broth: Stir in the ground cumin, dried oregano, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper. These seasonings deepen the dish’s flavor and add complexity to the sauce.
- Add Beans: Stir the cooked beans into the saucepan, mixing well to ensure they are thoroughly coated in the tomatillo sauce.
- Simmer: Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and the beans absorb the flavorful sauce.
- Finish with Lime: Stir in the fresh lime juice just before serving to add a bright, acidic note that balances the dish’s flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with additional fresh cilantro leaves and serve warm as a side dish, taco filling, or paired with rice or tortilla chips.
Notes
- For convenience, use canned beans—rinse and drain them before using to reduce sodium levels.
- Add more jalapeño or leave the seeds in if you prefer a spicier dish.
- Serve the tomatillo beans alongside rice, grilled chicken, tacos, or tortilla chips to enhance your meal.
- For a creamier texture, mash a small portion of the beans into the sauce during the simmering step.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Side Dish, Beans, Vegetarian
- Method: Stovetop, Roasting
- Cuisine: Mexican
