Spiced Dominican-Style Black Bean Stew
A hearty, savory black bean stew enriched with smoky paprika and cumin, perfect for a comforting Latin American meal. This latin american-inspired vegan ready in about 105 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 220 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 yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- for serving lime wedges
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dry black beans and soak in water for 6 hours or overnight, then drain.
- Step 2: In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tbsp olive oil. Add 1 diced yellow onion and 1 diced green bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp dried oregano and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add soaked beans, 4 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until beans are tender and stew is thickened.
- Step 5: Remove bay leaf. Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over the stew for brightness.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Dominican-Style Black Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (10 min prep + 95 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-Style 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-Style 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-Style 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-Style 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.
