Pan-Fried Plantains with Guatemalan Black Bean Refried Mash

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Sweet pan-fried plantains paired with creamy refried black beans seasoned with garlic and spices for a classic Guatemalan inspired side dish. This Latin American-inspired quick recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs ripe plantains, cooked black beans, garlic cloves 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: 15 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Nonstick skillets worth buying → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 large peeled and sliced plantains (1/2-inch thick) in a single layer and fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Sauté 2 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 1/2 cups drained cooked black beans, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, mashing the beans with the back of a spoon until creamy and warmed through.
  4. Step 4: Remove from heat, stir in 1 tbsp fresh lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for brightness.
  5. Step 5: Serve the creamy refried black beans alongside the golden fried plantains for a balanced sweet and savory Guatemalan-inspired dish.

Related recipes