Dominican-Inspired Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-29 · Updated 2026-07-29

A colorful, hearty bowl featuring caramelized sweet plantains paired with seasoned black beans and fresh avocado for a comforting, vegetarian meal. This Latin American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ripe plantains, black beans, cooked, olive oil 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

• 2 large ripe plantains
• 1 1/2 cups black beans, cooked
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 1 medium ripe avocado, sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 cups cooked white rice

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Peel and slice 2 large ripe plantains into 1/2-inch thick diagonal pieces. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the plantain slices in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized, then transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 1 small diced yellow onion and 2 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Stir and cook for 5 minutes until beans are heated through and spices are well incorporated.
4. Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice for brightness.
5. Step 5: To assemble, divide 2 cups cooked white rice among 4 bowls. Top each with the black bean mixture, caramelized plantains, and 1 medium sliced ripe avocado. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.