Grab For Eats If your mouth starts watering just with the thought of Cuban cuisine, you are definitely familiar with el Pollo loco black beans. This fast food chain restaurant has been serving one of the best pollo tropical black beans for ages.
This delicious, vegetarian side dish goes amazing with grilled chicken and is a healthier option in a fast food restaurant. Also, you can’t resist its sweet and hot texture. If you are a fan like me then this pollo tropical black beans recipe might be your favorite side dishes recipe.
This copycat Pollo tropical black bean recipe is garlicky, peppery, and sweet with a hint of spice in it. So, let’s jump to the recipe.
Let’S Get to Know the Ingredients for Pollo Tropical Black Beans
Black beans: You will need 1 1/2lb of dried black beans. For this recipe, you don’t need roasted black beans. If the beans are in a can, drain the water and let the beans fully dry off.
Oregano: for an amazing herby, leafy flavor use fresh oregano. You can also use dried oregano. 1 tbsp of oregano will suffice.
Ground cumin: Cumin is the perfect spice for incorporating some zesty flavor into the recipe. Now, you need 1 tbsp of ground cumin.
Garlic: Garlic is the best option for an earthy and tangy flavor. Here you will require 12-13 cloves of fresh garlic.
Bay leaf: you can add 1 bay leaf. Don’t forget to remove it before serving.
Scallion: For the eternal green vibe, you should add 12 scallions, finely chopped.
Bell pepper: What makes this Pollo tropical black beans recipe unique? Yes, bell pepper. One green, small bell pepper finely chopped.
Extra-virgin olive oil: Here you can use bacon grease, however, olive oil will give the dish a light feeling. You will need 4 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil.
Brown sugar: Black beans with brown sugar uplifts the taste exponentially. Here, you will need 2 tbsp of brown sugar.
Salt: 1 tbsp of kosher salt.
Pepper: Freshly crushed black pepper, as per taste.
Water: 3 cups or enough water to boil the black beans.
How to Make Black Beans Like Pollo Tropical ? (Step by Step)
Step 1: If the black beans are store-bought, clean the Black beans and remove the debris, if any. If it is in canned form, drain the water and let them dry completely.
Step 2: In a large saucepan or pot, add the washed beans, oregano, 1 tbsp of oil, bay leaf, and water. Make sure the water is 3 inches up from the soaked beans.
Step 3: Boil the mixture on medium-low heat until the black beans are tender and soft. Add extra water if you must. Make sure the water doesn’t dry up.
Step 4: In a sauté pan, heat the remaining 3 tbsp of oil at medium-low temp. You can alternatively add the butter too.
Step 5: Add the scallion, bell pepper, garlic clove, and other ingredients. Cook until the vegetables are soft and tender.
Step 6: Season with salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice. Stir occasionally. Cook for 10 minutes.
Step 7: Now, add the boiled beans to the pan and incorporate them well with the sautéed vegetables.
Step 8: Take the concoction out of the pan and serve hot!
Pollo Tropical Black Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb dried black beans
- 1 tbsp Oregano
- 1 tbsp Ground cumin
- 12-13 clove Garlic
- 1 Bay leaf
- 12 Scallion finely chopped
- 1 Bell pepper green, small, seeded
- 4 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- black pepper as per taste
- 3 Cup Water
Instructions
- Clean the Black beans and remove the debris, if any.
- In a large saucepan, add the washed beans, oregano, 1 tbsp of oil, bay leaf, and water.
- Boil the mixture on medium-low heat until the black beans are tender and soft.
- In a sauté pan, heat the remaining oil at medium-low temp.
- Add the other ingredients. Cook until the vegetables are soft and tender.
- Season with salt, pepper, and herbs of your choice.
- Now, add the beans to the pan and incorporate them well with the sautéed vegetables.
- Take the concoction out of the pan and serve hot!
Nutrition
SUM UP:
Fast food restaurants sometimes offer healthy, hearty meals besides their greasy, high-calorie dishes. This Pollo tropical black bean is the brightest example that healthy food can be tasty and easy to prepare too.
Follow this pollo tropical black bean recipe and make them for your family or you can bring this dish to the next potluck and be the star. Have a hearty meal!
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