Bolivian Quinoa and Black Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-13 · Updated 2026-06-13

A hearty, protein-rich stew combining nutty quinoa with black beans and traditional Bolivian spices for a warming meal. This Latin American-inspired vegan recipe (vegetarian, gluten free), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs quinoa, black beans (cooked), onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 cup quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups black beans (cooked)
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa thoroughly under cold water to remove bitterness, then drain well.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for another 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
4. Step 4: Add the rinsed quinoa and 4 cups vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, cover again, and cook an additional 5 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tbsp lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste before serving.