One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew
A hearty, flavorful stew combining black beans and traditional Brazilian spices, perfect for cozy dinners. This brazilian-inspired vegan (vegan, gluten free) ready in about 120 minutes pairs dried black beans, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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 dried black beans
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans under cold water and soak in 2 cups water for at least 4 hours or overnight, then drain.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium diced red bell pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp ground cumin to the pot, stirring for 2 minutes until spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Add soaked black beans, 4 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours until beans are tender.
- Step 5: Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
- Step 6: Serve the black bean stew hot with lime wedges on the side to squeeze over, enhancing the bright flavor.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (10 min prep + 110 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 One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew?
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 dried black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew?
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 One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew 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 One-Pot Spiced Brazilian Black Bean Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
