This Colombian Style Red Beans recipe is very simple to make, and even though it takes a couple hours to cook and the beans need to soak overnight, preparing them is very easy.
Beans are one of those foods that every Colombian eats, and personally, I love beans so much that I can eat them with rice every day. They are definitely my comfort food. There are many bean soups variations in Colombia depending on the cook, family and the region. All the recipes I share here are my family, friends and my own Colombian dishes.
Some essential side dishes for the red beans are avocado, white rice, fried ripe plantains, and finally, your choice of fried egg, grilled beef, pork, chicken or fish.
Frijoles Rojos Colombianos (Colombian-Style Red Beans)
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry red beans soaked overnight
- 1 yellow onion diced
- 3 scallions diced
- 5 garlic cloves crushed
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 1 green bell pepper diced
- 1 cup of diced and peeled tomatoes
- ½ teaspoon achiote powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 cups of water
- 4 cups chicken beef or vegetable broth
- 2 large carrots peeled and diced
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro or parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the onions, scallions, garlic, red pepper, green pepper and tomatoes in the food processor. Process for a couple minutes. Set aside.
- In a large pot over medium heat, add the beans, water, broth, carrots and processed vegetables and carrots. Slightly cover and simmer for 1 ½ hours.
- Add the achiote powder, ground cumin, salt and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer for 30 to 40 minutes more or until the beans are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition
My grandmother made the best beans, but then again, doesn't everyone's Colombian grandmother make the best beans? But really, Mamita's were the best! 🙂 This Colombian-Style Red Beans dish reminds me of my Grandmother. Her kitchen was magical and I miss cooking in it with her terribly.
Buen provecho!
More Beans Recipes to Try
Meatballs and White Beans Soup
Erika
My parents are Colombian, I was born and raised in the US. My mom doesn’t really cook and we grew up away from my grandmas and aunts only visiting for holidays and summers. I know what good Colombian food is supposed to taste like but don’t always know how to cook it. I have struggled with red beans for years! This recipe is amazing! My only problem was the carrots. I diced in little cubes but wish I would’ve either left them bigger to be fish out, smash and put them back in at the end or added them to the sofrito to be puréed. But I was only a visual thing because taste wise it was fantastic! Thank you for sharing! I can’t wait to keep exploring other recipes.
Stephanie
Really delicious and authentic. I did add 2 packets of goya tomato and culantro and 1 tsp triguisar. Also add 2 slices thick bacon sauteed in the beginning with all the vegetables. I also cooked it in my instant pot for 60 min and 15 min natural release before release all the pressure. Will make it again and again! Haha
Prudencia Bowers
Colombian Red Beans were one of our favorite dishes when traveling in that wonderful country a few years ago. I was able to buy and bring some home, but I have used them all up, or given them to friends. Does anyone know where I can order some more authentic beans? I've searched my Asian, Middle Eastern, and Mexican markets here in Tucson, and nothing looks the same. I am hoping I can order them online. Any help will be much appreciated.
Mil gracias,
Prudencia
Lisa D
These are very tasty, but mine did not come out looking anything like the photo, or tasting anything like the beans I just had at a neighborhood place in Bogotá that I fell in love with. I assume every place has their own touches and it's just one of those things. I love Colobmian food and am glad to find this blog so will try more dishes as well - thanks!
Nancy
I'm a little bit confused by this recipe. I am in the middle of making it and realized that you say to dice the carrots in the ingredients but in the instructions you say they have been processed. Also, there's no mention of cilantro in the instructions, only in the ingredients. I'm assuming to add them at the end so they don't get soggy. Thanks!
Carmen
Hi,
I have tried a few of your recipes and loved them! My family is from Colombia, but I was born and raised in NY. I live in AZ with my husband and children, and my mom passed away over a year ago. I have decided to add Colombian dishes to our meals, but do not have any recipes, except for yours now, which are wonderful!! Thank you!! I miss my mom so much, and the things that she made me growing up were delicious but I had no idea were traditional Colombian foods.
My son has recently accepted to serve a mission for our church, and to our surprise and complete joy he was assigned to serve in Bogota! We are beyond happy!! So now I want to make meals that he will see in Colombia! I want to make your simple red beans recipe, with a side of rice and platanos. Which red beans exactly am I looking for? I found a bag of Goya Salvadorean Beans, frijol dojo de seda. Is this the same? We took our son to an amazing Colombian restaurant an hour from where we live and they had red beans (looked like kidney beans) in their Paisa dish. Are these the same? Could you please put me in the right direction? Thanks a million!
Donovan Frederick
Thank you sooooooo very much!!!!! my wife is Colombian. I love everything i eat when i am there!!!!!! i want very much to learn to cook traditional things for us. she is a good cook, but, i want to learn and surprise her. thank you for sharing your recipes with me!!!! a life long fan now!!!!!
Illanith
Hello,
I wonder what the differences would be if unmade this dish in a slow cooker? Would I use dry beans or soak them overnight?
Jo
Hi I am in NZ with a Columbian student who has come to learn English. I would be very grateful for advice and easy recipes to cook the red beans. He does not like rice.
All suggestions would be great.
Michelle
Oh GOD these are so good! My meat-n-taters hubby RAVED!!!!
Claudia P
Thank you so much for all of these wonderful recipes!! I've tried several that remind me of my mom's cooking.
T.J.
Thank you so much for this recipe! My boyfriend is Colombian and I just love the Colombian cuisine and Colombia in general 🙂 (I visited Medellín and Cali and we are going to Cali again in September!). I will cook beans and make tostadas tonight - hope my bf will like it (fingers crossed! :-))
Greetings from Switzerland!
Monica Jaramillo
Estoy obsesionada con tus recetas (Deberías tener un libro para recién casadas jejeje) ¿No necesitas entonces olla a presión? ¿y sabes por casualidad dónde conseguir el chicharrón en California? Gracias milllll
Erica Dinho
Yo vivo en CT, pero lo puedes buscar en mercados Latinos.
Bek
Thank you for sharing im making these for my hubby and little Colombianitos xo