After you clean the beans put them in a large pot with enough water to cover them above by 2 inches/5 cm.

Bring the beans to a boil then reduce heat and continue to cook until they are tender, have doubled in size and their skin starts to split. You need to check on them often, stir and keep adding water to make sure they don't dry out and burn. Cooking time can take up to 2 hours depending on weight and age of the beans.

After they have become tender you can now add 1 teaspoon or more of salt. That's all, now you can use them in many Mexican recipes.

Try the cooked beans in our Bean and Garlic Dip recipe.