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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
