Beef and Plantain Stew
A hearty stew with tender beef, ripe plantains, and a rich tomato-based broth, perfect for comfort food cravings. This puerto rican-inspired one pot ready in about 85 minutes pairs beef stew meat, large ripe plantains, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs beef stew meat
- 3 large ripe plantains
- 1 cup onion
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs beef stew meat dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add beef, and sear for 4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 1 cup chopped onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 cup tomato sauce, 1 tsp paprika, and 1/2 tsp cumin, cooking for 2 minutes until aromatic.
- Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 1.5 hours until beef is tender. Peel and slice 3 large ripe plantains into 1-inch pieces, add to stew, and cook uncovered for 20 minutes until plantains are soft.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Beef and Plantain Stew take to make?
Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Beef and Plantain Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep beef stew meat from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Beef and Plantain Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Beef and Plantain Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Beef and Plantain Stew?
Puerto Rican one pot like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
