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What to Serve With Cuban Black Beans: 15 Best Side Dishes

Pairing Cuban black beans with the right side dishes can create a delightful meal. Consider crispy yuca fries, made from the starchy cassava root, for a unique and satisfying bite. Roasted plantains bring a sweet and rich flavor, while tostones, twice-fried plantains, offer a perfect balance of crispiness and tenderness. A invigorating citrus salad made with tangy fruits like oranges and grapefruits adds a invigorating contrast. Grilled vegetables, such as bell peppers and zucchini, enhance the dish with their smoky taste. These options can elevate your Cuban black beans experience. There's even more to discover!

Plantains

versatile fruit for cooking

Plantains, a starchy fruit from the banana family, are a versatile ingredient essential to many Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines.

Green plantains are perfect for savory dishes, while ripe plantains add sweetness to meals.

Roasted plantains can offer a delicious side to Cuban black beans, providing a unique texture and rich flavor that complements the dish beautifully.

Yuca Fries

crispy latin american snack

In addition to plantains, yuca fries provide a crispy and flavorful accompaniment to Cuban black beans, enhancing the meal with their unique texture and taste.

This starchy root vegetable, also known as cassava, is fried to perfection, making it a delightful side dish.

Yuca fries pair wonderfully with the hearty black beans and rice, offering a crunchy and gluten-free alternative.

Tostones

fried green plantains snack

Tostones are a staple in Latin American and Caribbean cuisine. They are twice-fried plantains that provide a crispy exterior and tender interior.

This savory dish pairs beautifully with Cuban black beans, offering a delightful contrast in texture. Often served alongside rice, tostones add a slightly sweet and salty flavor, enhancing the overall meal and making it more satisfying.

Easy to prepare, tostones elevate any table.

Citrus Salad

fresh zesty citrus flavors

A citrus salad brings an exhilarating burst of flavor to the table, providing the perfect complement to the hearty richness of Cuban black beans.

This invigorating side dish balances the meal with tangy citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and limes.

The crisp greens and juicy fruit segments enhance the dining experience, offering a delightful contrast in textures and flavors that elevates every bite.

Grilled Vegetables

tasty and healthy dish

Grilled vegetables provide a nutritious and flavorful side dish that enhances the savory profile of Cuban black beans. Popular choices like bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus offer a variety of textures and colors.

The grilling process brings out their natural flavors and adds a delicious charred taste. This smokiness pairs beautifully with the earthy, savory notes of the black beans, creating a balanced meal.

Avocado Slices

sliced avocados for brunch

Incorporating avocado slices into your meal provides a creamy and nutritious complement to the robust flavors of Cuban black beans. Rich in healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins, avocado slices offer a mild, buttery taste that balances the earthy notes of the beans.

Their creamy texture adds a touch of freshness and richness, creating a well-rounded and satisfying dish.

Cuban Bread

soft fluffy cuban specialty

Complementing the creamy avocado slices, Cuban bread offers a perfect balance with its light, airy texture and slightly crunchy crust, making it an ideal side for Cuban black beans.

This bread can soak up the rich flavors of a beans and rice recipe, enhanced with roasted red peppers and garlic cloves.

A dollop of sour cream adds a delightful finishing touch.

Mojo Pork

spicy citrus infused slow cooked pork

Mojo pork, steeped in a citrusy garlic marinade, stands as a quintessential Cuban dish that pairs exquisitely with Cuban black beans.

This traditional Cuban dish, marinated with orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and herbs, is often slow-roasted or grilled to tender perfection.

The zesty and aromatic profile of mojo pork complements the earthy and hearty essence of Cuban black beans, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Arroz Con Pollo

delicious latin american dish

Following the vibrant flavors of mojo pork, Arroz Con Pollo stands out as another beloved Cuban dish, renowned for its harmonious combination of tender chicken and aromatic rice.

This classic chicken and rice dish is seasoned with flavorful spices like saffron, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. The rich, savory taste of Arroz Con Pollo pairs perfectly with Cuban black beans, enhancing the meal's overall appeal.

Cuban Slaw

delicious and tangy side dish

Cuban slaw, with its crisp shredded cabbage, carrots, and onions, brings an invigorating and lively contrast to the rich flavors of Cuban black beans.

Enhanced with lime juice, fresh cilantro, and bell pepper, this side dish offers a revitalizing and colorful element to your meal.

Easy to prepare ahead, Cuban slaw can be served chilled, making it perfect for gatherings or meal prepping.

Empanadas

delicious savory pastry turnovers

Empanadas, with their golden, crispy pastry shells and diverse fillings, serve as a delightful and versatile side dish to complement the robust flavors of Cuban black beans.

These savory turnovers, often filled with seasoned ground meat, cheese, or vegetables, are typically fried until perfectly crispy.

Alternatively, baking them offers a healthier option without sacrificing their delicious flavor and flaky texture.

Sweet Potatoes

healthy orange root vegetable

Sweet potatoes, a versatile and nutritious option, make an excellent side dish to pair with the robust flavors of Cuban black beans.

Roasted with olive oil, these sweet potatoes provide a satisfying side that balances the savory and spicy notes of the beans.

Their natural sweetness and vibrant color add a delightful contrast, enhancing both the taste and visual appeal of the meal.

Quinoa Salad

healthy grain based dish

Quinoa salad, known for its nutritional benefits and versatility, serves as an excellent accompaniment to Cuban black beans. This protein-rich, plant-based dish can be customized with various vegetables, herbs, and dressings to suit different preferences.

The invigorating and revitalizing nature of quinoa salad offers a balanced contrast to the hearty black beans, creating a complete and satisfying meal that's also perfect for meal prep.

Mango Salsa

vibrant sweet and tangy

Mango salsa, a vibrant and invigorating accompaniment, harmonizes beautifully with the savory depth of Cuban black beans. This side dish adds a tropical twist with ripe mangoes, onions, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapenos.

The balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors complements the richness of the black beans. Easy to prepare and visually appealing, mango salsa excites the taste buds.

Are the Same Side Dishes Suitable for Both Cuban Black Beans and African Peanut Stew?

When it comes to choosing the best side dishes for African peanut stew, it’s important to consider the flavors and textures of the stew. While Cuban black beans may not be the traditional choice, their earthy and savory taste can complement the richness of the peanut stew quite nicely.

Fried Yuca

crispy yuca snack option

Fried yuca, a staple in Cuban cuisine, offers a delightful contrast to the savory richness of black beans with its crispy exterior and soft, starchy interior. Made from cassava root, this popular side dish is peeled, boiled, and then fried until golden.

Its nutty flavor and satisfying crunch make fried yuca a perfect complement to the hearty flavors of Cuban black beans and rice.