Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting Puerto Rican dessert featuring kidney beans simmered in creamy coconut milk with warm cinnamon and raisins. This puerto rican-inspired quick meals ready in about 115 minutes pairs kidney beans, water, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 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.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 100 min Serves 6 Puerto Rican cuisine 250 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large pot, combine the soaked kidney beans and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 60 minutes, or until beans are tender.
  2. Step 2: Stir in the coconut milk, sugar, cinnamon stick, and vanilla extract. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens.
  3. Step 3: Add the raisins and continue simmering for 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick, stir in the chopped almonds, and let cool to room temperature before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon take to make?

Total time is about 115 minutes (15 min prep + 100 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 Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon?

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 kidney beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon?

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 Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon 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.

What goes well with Sweet Coconut Beans with Cinnamon?

Puerto Rican quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes