Rum-Spiced Caribbean Black Bean Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

A hearty Caribbean black bean stew enlivened with the warm sweetness of dark rum and traditional island spices. This Caribbean-inspired vegan recipe, ready in about 85 minutes, pairs vegetable oil, onion, diced, red bell pepper, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 cups black beans, soaked overnight and drained
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 medium (120 g) onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup dark rum
• 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 fresh thyme sprigs
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat until hot. Add 1 medium diced onion and 1 medium diced red bell pepper, sautéing for 6-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground allspice, and 1 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 2 cups soaked and drained black beans, 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hour until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Carefully stir in 1/4 cup dark rum and 2 tbsp fresh lime juice, cooking uncovered for another 10 minutes to meld flavors and thicken the stew.
6. Step 6: Remove thyme sprigs, adjust seasoning if needed, and garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.