Black Beans - 3 or 5lb Box

Available in 3 lb and 5 lb Boxes · Harvested to Order · Ships Nationwide

Fresh Organic Black Beans are harvested at the shelling stage, before they have fully dried. They have a tender, creamy texture and the rich, earthy flavor associated with black beans, but cook much faster than dried beans.

Fresh black beans require no soaking and generally cook in approximately 20–30 minutes. Use them in Mexican, Caribbean, Central American, South American, and Southwestern dishes, including soups, stews, rice and beans, tacos, salads, dips, and side dishes.

These are fresh shelling beans for cooking and eating. The pods are not edible, and we do not sell seeds or plants.

What Do Fresh Black Beans Taste Like?

Fresh black beans have a rich, earthy flavor with a mild sweetness and a smooth, creamy interior. Compared with dried black beans, their texture is especially tender and their flavor is fresh and nuanced.

They pair well with rice, corn, tomatoes, onions, garlic, chile peppers, cilantro, cumin, lime, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pork, chicken, seafood, and crumbly or aged cheeses.

How to Use Fresh Black Beans

• Black bean soups and stews
• Cuban-style black beans and rice
• Rice bowls, grain bowls, and salads
• Tacos, tostadas, burritos, and quesadillas
• Black bean salsa or dip
• Chili and braised dishes
• Side dishes seasoned with garlic, cumin, chile, or lime

How to Cook Fresh Black Beans

Remove the beans from their pods and rinse them under cool water. Place them in a pot and cover with fresh water or broth by approximately two inches.

Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 20–30 minutes, or until creamy and tender. Cooking time will vary depending on the beans' maturity and your preferred texture.

No soaking is required. Keep the beans at a gentle simmer to help them cook evenly while retaining their shape.

Fresh Black Beans vs. Dried Black Beans

Fresh black beans are harvested before they have dried completely inside their pods. They contain more moisture than dried beans, giving them a softer texture and considerably shorter cooking time.

Unlike dried black beans, fresh shelling beans do not need to be soaked overnight. Simply shell, rinse, simmer, and season.

How to Freeze Fresh Black Beans

Fresh black beans can be frozen for use after their short harvest season has ended. Shell the beans, rinse them, and blanch them briefly in boiling water.

Transfer the beans to ice water, drain thoroughly, and package them in freezer-safe containers or bags. Frozen fresh beans can be added directly to soups, stews, and braised dishes without thawing.

Shipping Information

Fresh black beans are harvested to order and shipped directly from Norwich Meadows Farm.

Shipping schedule:

• Orders placed by Thursday at 12 p.m. ship Monday.
• Orders placed by Sunday at 12 p.m. ship Wednesday.

Orders are shipped nationwide. Availability is limited to the fresh shelling bean harvest season.