Skip These Black Beans If You Want The Best Flavor

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You'd think canned black beans wouldn't differ that much from brand to brand, but after a Tasting Table writer sampled and ranked 11 types of canned black beans, a well-known brand fell to the bottom of the list. Progresso may be well known for its variety of must-try soups, but it also sells kitchen cupboard staples like beans. Upon opening the can, our reviewer was met with mushy, unappealing beans that did little to excite the taste buds. If you're using the black beans to make a mash, a dip, or a veggie burger, the texture might not make a huge difference. But if intact beans matter for your recipe — think: salads, salsas, and taco bowls — this softness can pose a problem.

In addition to observing a disappointing structure, our writer found the flavor of these beans to be lacking. Though canned beans are often prepared simply before being packaged and sold, Progresso's black beans were bland when compared to other options. With an absence of flavor and firmness, they landed right at the bottom of our ranking. If you'd rather place your grocery money on a more flavorful bet, our reviewer dubbed La Costeña as the winner, as this brand's beans offered a firm-and-not-mushy consistency and included tomato, onion, and spices for added flavor. 

Some customers online agree that this brand's beans falls short. According to one reviewer on YouTube, many of Progresso's canned beans "tend to disintegrate into nothingness," adding that their softness is what "makes them a polarizing choice." 

Not every customer who has sampled the black beans has disliked them, however. One reviewer on Amazon called the beans "cheap and handy to have in the pantry." Another customer noted, "If you love black beans, and are not patient enough to soak dry beans for an extended period of time before cooking, this product is for you." The ingredient label does mention salt, and its light touch means home cooks can season the beans however they like, which is a bonus. Each serving also offers 9 grams of fiber, making the beans an easy way to work some extra nutrition into meals made at home.

Should you get the beans home and end up as disappointed as our writer, you can add fresh herbs or braise the beans in olive oil to make them taste like they were slow-cooked for hours. Otherwise, elevate the flavor of canned beans by including meat for an added umami dimension or turn up the heat using peppers. Any experienced disappointment will soon become a distant memory.