Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice
A hearty Dominican-style stewed red beans richly flavored with sofrito and spices, served over fluffy white rice. This dominican-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian option) ready in about 120 minutes pairs dried or 2 cups cooked red kidney beans, water, olive oil 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried or 2 cups cooked red kidney beans
- 4 cups water
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup sofrito
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 1 small, diced green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 bay leaf
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: If using dried kidney beans, soak 1 cup overnight and rinse well. In a large pot, cover soaked beans with 4 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours until tender, adding water as needed.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a separate large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 1 small diced green bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1/2 cup sofrito, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, and 1 bay leaf. Cook for 3 minutes until the mixture darkens and the tomato paste caramelizes slightly.
- Step 4: Add the cooked beans with cooking liquid to the skillet. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens and flavors meld. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Serve the habichuelas guisadas hot over 2 cups cooked white rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice take to make?
Total time is about 120 minutes (20 min prep + 100 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 Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice?
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 water from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice?
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 Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice 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 Savory Dominican Habichuelas Guisadas with Rice vegetarian option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
