Dominican-Style Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl

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

A vibrant bowl featuring caramelized sweet plantains paired with seasoned black beans, rice, and fresh avocado for a balanced, comforting meal. This Latin American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs ripe plantains, black beans, cooked, white rice, cooked for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 2, 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Latin American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel 2 medium ripe plantains and slice them diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry plantain slices for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 2 minced garlic cloves over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 cup cooked black beans, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until heated through.
  3. Step 3: To assemble, place 1 cup cooked white rice in each bowl. Top with black beans mixture and 6-8 fried plantain slices. Garnish with 1 sliced medium avocado, 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, and serve with 2 lime wedges for squeezing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Dominican-Style Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl?

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 ripe plantains from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl?

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 Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sweet Plantain and Black Bean Bowl 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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