Mexican Braised Beans Soft Egg (Print View)
Tender braised beans in Mexican spices with soft-boiled eggs and fresh toppings
# What You'll Need:
→ Beans and Aromatics
01 - 2 tbsp 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 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
08 - 1 cup vegetable broth
09 - 2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
12 - 1/2 tsp 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
# Step-by-Step 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.
02 - Stir in cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add black beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
04 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and braise for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the mixture is thickened. Remove and discard bay leaf.
05 - While beans are braising, bring a saucepan of water to a gentle boil. Carefully add eggs and simmer for 6 minutes for soft-boiled. Transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking, then gently peel.
06 - Spoon braised beans into bowls. Top each with a peeled soft-boiled egg, avocado slices, queso fresco, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately, optionally with warm corn tortillas.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Its the kind of meal that feels like a hug but comes together in under an hour with mostly pantry ingredients
- The contrast between the tender spiced beans and that perfect soft boiled egg is something you'll crave on repeat
02 -
- The braising time is non negotiable for flavor development, but you can make the beans a day ahead and they'll actually taste better
- That ice bath step for the eggs prevents that greenish grey ring from forming around the yolk
03 -
- Reserve a ladle full of the braising liquid before you thicken it too much, as you might want to loosen the sauce right before serving
- Room temperature eggs are less likely to crack when you slip them into the boiling water