Spiced Dominican-Inspired Black Bean Stew
A hearty, flavorful black bean stew seasoned with aromatic spices and fresh herbs, inspired by Dominican cooking traditions. This latin american-inspired vegan ready in about 100 minutes pairs dry black beans, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 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 dry black beans
- 4 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dry black beans under cold water and soak overnight in 4 cups water.
- Step 2: Drain the beans, then place them in a large pot with 4 cups fresh water. Add 1 bay leaf and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 60-70 minutes until beans are tender.
- Step 3: While the beans cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced medium green bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, and 1 tsp dried oregano to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Once beans are tender, remove bay leaf and stir in the sautéed vegetables along with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dominican-Inspired Black Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 100 minutes (10 min prep + 90 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 Spiced Dominican-Inspired 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 dry black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Dominican-Inspired 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 Spiced Dominican-Inspired 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 Spiced Dominican-Inspired Black Bean Stew vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
