Slow-Cooked Black Bean Stew with Cassava Flour Dumplings

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-07 · Updated 2026-08-07

A hearty Brazilian-inspired black bean stew simmered with smoky spices and served with tender cassava flour dumplings to soak up the rich broth. This brazilian-inspired vegan (gluten free) ready in about 140 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 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 small, diced green bell pepper
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp, plus more to taste salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup cassava flour
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans under cold water, then soak in 2 cups water for at least 4 hours or overnight to soften. Drain and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced small green bell pepper. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
4. Step 4: Add soaked black beans and 4 cups water to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently, uncovered, for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beans are tender and stew thickens slightly.
5. Step 5: Meanwhile, prepare dumplings by combining 1 cup cassava flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Gradually add 1/2 cup warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms. Roll into small 1-inch balls.
6. Step 6: Drop dumplings into the simmering stew and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until the dumplings are cooked through and tender.
7. Step 7: Adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve hot, spooning dumplings and stew together for a comforting meal.