Black turtle beans, commonly known as black beans, are small, shiny black legumes popular in Latin American, Caribbean, and Southern U.S. cuisines. Known for their rich, earthy flavour and slightly sweet taste, they’re often used in dishes like burritos, tacos, soups, stews, and salads.
These beans are highly nutritious, providing an excellent source of plant-based protein, fibre, and a variety of essential nutrients, including folate, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Their fibre content, especially the soluble type, supports heart health, aids digestion, and helps regulate blood sugar. Black beans are also rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give them their dark color and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
In cooking, black turtle beans hold their shape well, making them ideal for slow-cooked dishes. They can be bought dried, which requires soaking before cooking, or canned, which are ready to use but may need rinsing to reduce sodium. Their versatility, hearty texture, and flavour make black beans a staple in many plant-based and meat-based meals alike.
You might also like
