Mid-America Corn and Black Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

A hearty vegetarian stew featuring sweet corn and black beans with smoky paprika and fresh herbs, inspired by Mid-America flavors. This American-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, red bell pepper 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

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon ground smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 cups cooked or canned, drained and rinsed black beans
• 2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup, canned diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon ground smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon ground cumin, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups black beans, 2 cups corn kernels, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1 cup diced tomatoes to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until the stew thickens and flavors meld.
4. Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving warm.