Mexican Braised Beans Soft Egg (Printable)
Tender beans simmered in Mexican spices, topped with soft-boiled eggs, avocado, and fresh cilantro.
# What goes in:
→ Beans and Aromatics
01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Braising Base
06 - 2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 cup vegetable broth
09 - 2 teaspoons ground cumin
10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
13 - 1 bay leaf
14 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
→ Eggs
15 - 4 large eggs
→ Garnishes
16 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - 1 avocado, sliced
18 - 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta
19 - Lime wedges
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, jalapeño, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
02 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until spices become fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
03 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring to combine all ingredients.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cook until flavors meld and mixture thickens to desired consistency. Remove and discard bay leaf before serving.
05 - While beans simmer, bring a saucepan of water to a gentle boil. Carefully add eggs and simmer for exactly 6 minutes for soft-boiled consistency. Immediately transfer to ice bath to stop cooking, then gently peel shells.
06 - Spoon braised beans into serving bowls. Top each portion with a peeled soft-boiled egg, avocado slices, crumbled cheese, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime. Serve immediately with warm corn tortillas if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Its the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day, perfect for meal prep or lazy lunches
- The soft egg creates this incredible creamy sauce when you break it into the beans, like instant richness
02 -
- The beans continue thickening as they sit, so don't worry if it looks slightly soupy right off the stove
- I learned the hard way that eggs peel easier under cold running water than in an ice bath alone
03 -
- Make the beans a day ahead, the flavors develop and it tastes even better
- Reserve some cilantro stems to simmer with the beans for deeper flavor, then fish them out before serving