Spicy Dominican-Style Black Bean Stew
Hearty black bean stew simmered with smoky spices and fresh herbs, perfect as a flavorful vegan main or side dish. This latin american-inspired vegan ready in about 100 minutes pairs dried or 4 cups cooked black beans, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 2 cups dried or 4 cups cooked black beans
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- 1/4 tsp optional red chili flakes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: If using dried beans, soak 2 cups black beans overnight and cook until tender, about 1 hour; drain and set aside. If using cooked beans, rinse 4 cups cooked beans.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced medium green bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes (if using), cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently to deepen flavor.
- Step 5: Pour in 4 cups vegetable broth, add 1 bay leaf, and 2 cups cooked black beans. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 30 minutes until the stew thickens.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaf, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Dominican-Style 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 Spicy 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy 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 Spicy Dominican-Style Black Bean Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Spicy 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.
