Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Hearty black beans and fluffy white rice served with a smooth avocado crema, capturing classic Dominican flavors in a vegetarian bowl. This caribbean-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs long grain white rice, for cooking rice water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Caribbean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice with 2 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 small diced onion, and 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables are soft and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans and cook for 5 minutes, mashing some beans slightly to thicken the mixture.
  4. Step 4: For the avocado crema, blend 1 medium avocado, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, and 2 tbsp water until smooth and creamy.
  5. Step 5: To serve, plate 1/2 cup cooked rice topped with 1/2 cup black bean mixture and drizzle with 2 tbsp avocado crema.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema?

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 long grain white rice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema?

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 Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema 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.

Is Dominican-Style Black Bean and Rice Bowl with Avocado Crema vegetarian?

Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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