Braised Quinoa and Black Bean Stew with Andean Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-02 · Updated 2026-07-02

A hearty, warming stew combining protein-rich quinoa and black beans with traditional Bolivian spices for a comforting meal. This Latin American-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs quinoa, black beans, cooked, olive oil 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 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 cup quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups black beans, cooked
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• for serving lime wedges

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup quinoa under cold water until water runs clear to remove bitterness.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/2 tsp dried oregano, cooking for 30 seconds to release aromas.
4. Step 4: Add the rinsed quinoa, 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, and 3 cups vegetable broth. Stir well and bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for brightness.
7. Step 7: Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for squeezing, enhancing the flavors.