Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans
Hearty black beans slow-cooked in a savory blend of spices and dark spiced rum, resulting in a rich and aromatic Caribbean-style side dish. This caribbean-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 130 minutes pairs dried black beans, dark spiced rum, medium, diced yellow onion 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 dried black beans
- 1/4 cup dark spiced rum
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 leaf bay leaf
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup dried black beans and soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours. Drain and set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 bay leaf, cooking for 1 minute until spices bloom.
- Step 4: Add soaked beans, 3 cups vegetable broth, and 1/4 cup dark spiced rum to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours until beans are tender.
- Step 5: Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Remove bay leaf and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving warm as a flavorful side or main.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 130 minutes (10 min prep + 120 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 Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans?
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 dried black beans from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans?
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 Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans 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 Rum-Braised Caribbean Black Beans 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.
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