Black beans are delicious, but they can be tricky to cook right. They can be too mushy, unevenly cooked, bland, or just no good! I’ve had my fair share of disappointing efforts over the years. But these days, canned black beans consistently meet our standards for tenderness, flavor, and texture in just about every recipe we use them in.
Here are the best canned black beans on the market.
Editor’s Pick-Canned Black Beans
Best Canned Black Beans Reviews In 2023
1. BUSH’S BEST Canned Seasoned Recipe Black Beans
At Bush’s, we’re a bunch of bean believers. For generations, our family has been committed to celebrating, innovating and delicious flying this beautiful legume. Because to us, beans aren’t just tasty. They’re wholesome, powerful and truly sustainable – and we believe they can change the world. We’re on a mission to share that goodness with you, using only the best beans and ingredients while giving back to our employees and communities. It’s a passion and commitment transcending generations, cultures and cuisines. And there’s nothing more beautiful than that.
Beans Are Our Obsession
From choosing the best beans, to masterfully cooking and seasoning them, to experimenting with new delicious bean products, we have a bit of a passion for this mighty seed.
Sharing the Love
We’ve been 100% family-owned since 1908, and we consider our employees part of that family. That’s why we partner with many organizations supporting them and the communities they care about.
The Power of the Bean
Besides being packed with plant-based protein and other nutrients, beans have the ability to bring joy to everyday life. We’re on a mission to spread that joy through simple, versatile products and recipes.
A Can Full of Goodness
We get the best out of every bean, so you can experience every benefit. From the way they’re picked, to the way they’re packaged, to all the ways they give back to the earth – there’s a lot to love about Bush’s Beans.
2. Organic Black Beans
Jack’s Quality beans are packed in a Tetra Pak carton which is made from mainly renewable resources. Up to 70% of Tetra Pak cartons are made from selectively harvested and regrown trees, significantly reducing our carbon footprint!
USDA Organic
Jack’s Quality products are grown and processed according to standards addressing soil and water quality, among other factors.
Recyclable Packaging
Jack’s Quality beans are proudly packaged in recyclable cartons made from FSC certified paper. Our beans taste cleaner and better, so you can feel good while you enjoy this protein and fiber-packed food.
Environmental Sustainability
Tetra Pak has announced that it aims to reach net zero emissions by 2030. With inspiration from Tetra, Jack’s Quality has committed to reducing carbon emissions from the packaging to the transportation of our product.
3. Westbrae Natural Organic Black Beans
When the founders of Westbrae Natural opened the doors of their retail grocery store in 1970, Bob Gerner and Kristin Brun offered their customers homemade granola, organic vegetables from Bob’s garden, organic fruits from local farmers and whole grain baked goods using Kristin’s recipes.
In the late 1980s, Westbrae Natural was sold to a group of food-savvy investors. No longer a retail business, the company (now located in southern California) continued to grow.
Available in natural food stores as well as mainstream supermarkets, Westbrae Natural’s array of vegetarian foods includes beans, soups, pasta, and vegetables. In addition, customers can find condiments, Japanese ramen, rice cakes and wafers, and yummy cookies, all made with integrity and high Westbrae Natural standards. Westbrae Natural continues to develop and extend its line of natural foods.
The natural brand has stayed true
Westbrae Natural Organic Black Beans, Low Sodium, 15 Ounce provide a foundation for nutritious, tasty meals centered around vegetables, whole grains, and beans. They are an integral part of the Vegetarian Diet Pyramid. Since 1970, the Westbrae Natural brand has stayed true to its original vision – to offer delicious and wholesome foods while supporting the growth of the natural foods industry and organic farming. Our products are perfect for those who choose to live a vegetarian lifestyle or eat a well-balanced diet.
Ready-to-serve Vegetables
Use our beans and vegetables in your favorite recipes to create wonderful entrees and side dishes – just add some spice for an ethnic flair. All varieties of our beans are USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project verified, and packed in recyclable cans with a Non-BPA Can Line. Likewise, our ready-to-serve vegetables are USDA Organic, made from Non-GMO ingredients and packaged in recyclable cans. They are processed RIGHT FROM THE FIELD, meaning within 24 hours of harvesting to maintain quality and flavor.
Organic Ingredients
Additionally, we offer organic ketchup and mustards – use our condiments for your next barbeque or to enhance any meal. Our USDA organic Unsweetened Ketchup and No Salt Added Stoneground Mustard are unique items in the market. They are packed in recyclable plastic squeeze bottles (4 mustards and 1 ketchup) or in a glass bottle (ketchup). Our beans, vegetables, and other organic ingredients are grown through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers and genetic engineering are not used. Enjoy our products – Westbrae Natural offers convenient, nourishing foods while caring for the environment.
4. Goya Foods Organic Black Beans
Organic Black Beans from Goya Foods are a quick, easy and healthy meal for any time of the day. These beans have an amazing earthy flavor and creamy texture and are seasoned with sea salt. 100% USDA Certified Organic, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Cholesterol Free, Saturated Fat-Free, and Kosher. High in Fiber and a Good Source of Protein, Iron, and Potassium. Simply add to soups or stews or serve as a side dish with rice, pasta or fried eggs! The possibilities are endless.
Organic Black Beans. Full of fiber and protein, these convenient organic black beans are perfect for adding to soups, salads, casseroles, and more. Made from non-genetically engineered soybeans, this certified organic canned bean is the natural food for those following the vegan diet. It’s also great for vegetarians wanting to explore new food options.
5. Eden Organic Black Beans No Salt Added 15 OZ
Goya is a food company based out of Puerto Rico. It has been around since 1936 when it started selling products like rice and beans. Today, Goya makes over 600 products, including canned beans and salsas. This product will make 20 servings of black beans, providing protein and fiber to help you feel full and satisfied. Eden Foods is a principled natural food company, est. 1968. Healthy soil, long-term organic, non-GMO, skilled growers and handlers; a reliable alternative to commercial food. Uncompromised purity; most delicious nutrient-rich beans.
Eden Black Beans are organic U.S. family-grown, soaked overnight, and pressure cooked with kombu seaweed at Eden’s certified organic, kosher cannery. Black Turtle beans are a staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine, creamy and mildly sweet. Black beans Phaseolus vularis, also known as frijoles negros and caviar criollo, are native to the Americas.
Organic USA Farming
Eden Foods is a principled natural food company, est. 1968. Robust soil, long-term organic, non-GMO, skilled growers and handlers; a reliable alternative to commercial food. Uncompromised, pure, most delicious nutrient-rich beans.
Nutrient Rich Beans
Black beans’ dark purple skin is from abundant antioxidants like those found in berries. They contain an ideal blend of required nutrients for a perfect people’s food.
Healthy Nourishing Meals
Eden Black Beans are a nourishing choice. Try them in bean burger patties with mushrooms, garlic, oats, and spices. Cook them with whole grains in soups, stews, salads, dips, and spreads. They are interchangeable with pinto beans in Mexican dishes such as burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, tacos, salsa, and refried beans.
6. Ortega Black Beans, With Diced Jalapenos, 15 Ounce
In the 1800s, Mama and her beloved family lived in a small three-room adobe home in Ventura, California, common to the Spanish settlements of the time. Inside the thick adobe walls, Mama Ortega created a loving home for her 13 children (yes, 13!) centered around their tiny kitchen.
With a small charcoal-burning stove, Mama Ortega whipped up memorable meals her family loved with homegrown, handpicked, and handmade ingredients.
From the juicy red tomatoes for her sauces to the corn she patted into mouthwatering tortillas, everything Mama lovingly prepared for her family was fresh; every dish was special. And just like today, home-cooked meals were a time for Mama and her family to come together, enjoy good food, and entertain each other with stories of their day.
Ortega Original Black Beans
Black Beans are the perfect complement to any meal.
Ortega Black Beans with Diced Jalapenos
The perfect complement to any meal (with a little added heat).
How To Choose The Best Canned Black Beans Before Purchasing
Size
The size of canned black beans is a significant consideration because the whole idea of eating canned foods is to receive enough quantity for quick foods without wasting or storing the leftovers. It depends on the use and requirements of a household. The canned beans range from a minimum of 15 ounces to larger packages that feed more people. Purchasing huge cans and keeping them later is useless if you just need a few serving sizes.
Ingredients
The choice of ingredients in black beans in cans affects whether consumers will generally like or detest the product. The components for black canned beans are typically quite a few and straightforward. Your options are somewhat constrained when using canned black beans, which already contain flavors and ingredients. The simple components are for adding more seasoning to cater to a wide range of audiences.
The basic ingredients for canned black beans are salt and water, although some businesses are producing the beans without salt to satisfy consumers with low sodium tolerance.
Type
Although the taste is not significantly affected by the type of black beans, there is a texture difference. Consider the type of canned black beans you buy if you completely stick to the product’s origin. Other than that, the origin of the growth determines the type of black beans and does not significantly affect the flavor and quality.
Non-Vegetarians against Vegetarians
For those rigorously following a vegan diet, this restriction is significant. The vegetarian options are limited because the beans are prepared and combined with various non-vegetarian ingredients like pig, bacon, or animal fat. The market now offers a variety of black beans that are vegetarian. Additionally, it is typically stated on the product.
And let’s say you adhere to a rigorous vegan diet. Since few businesses pay close attention to providing organic food options, you might need to consider the BPA-free tin liner and solely organic ingredients in the beans.
Frequently Asked Question
Which canned black beans are the best?
The biggest name in baked beans is also a winner when it comes to black beans. Bush’s black beans were satisfyingly heated right from the can. These beans looked a bit smaller than other options we tested, but they were shiny and delicious.
Which canned black beans are the healthiest?
In addition to great color and flavor, properly cooked black beans are a nutrition bomb, providing antioxidants — magnesium, manganese, and zinc — that support heart health and reduce high blood pressure. The best canned black beans are jet black, with skins intact.
Are all canned black beans the same?
Any real variations came up in the taste and texture, but the differences were minimal even then. The beans were tender and creamy, although many were on the mushy side.
Do you rinse canned black beans?
Although canned black beans are ready to eat, they should be drained and rinsed first — to wash off some of the slippery slime common to all beans and to get rid of excess sodium (even in the reduced-sodium varieties). Don’t just swirl them in the can with some water.
How do I spice up a can of black beans?
Seasonings: To add a lot of flavors, I mixed in some ground cumin, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and salt. Lime Juice: Add in some lime juice at the end to add a touch of acidity that compliments the rich flavor of the beans and seasonings. Cilantro (Optional): This is one of my favorite garnishes.