Puerto Rican Style Beans

A hearty red beans simmered in an aromatic sauce with bold flavors. Quick, easy, and simply delicious. If you love easy, tasty, meat-free meals, you'll love these Puerto Rican Beans.

Course Main, Side

Cuisine Caribbean, Puerto Rican

Diet Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 30

Total Time 45

Servings

Calories 421kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30ml) or more canola oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2-3 teaspoons (10-15g) garlic, minced
1 teaspoon (3g) cumin
½-1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional)
1 tablespoon (1-2g) fresh cilantro or parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon (3g) smoked paprika
1 medium bell pepper, chopped
¼-½ teaspoon (.5-1g) cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
4 cups (920g) cooked red beans (or three 15-ounce cans, rinse and drained)
2 cups (479ml) or more broth (vegetable, beef, or chicken)
1 medium-large potato, peeled and chopped
¼ cup (85g) tomato sauce
1 packet Sazón Goya with coriander (any Sazón without annatto)
salt to taste
fresh cilantro or parsley leaves (optional for garnishing)

Instructions

Heat the oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the onions, garlic, cumin, jalapenos, cilantro, paprika, bell pepper, cayenne, and bay leaf. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent (5-7 minutes). Do not brown.
Add the beans, broth, potatoes, tomato sauce, Sazón Goya, and salt. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes or more until potatoes are tender.
Adjust seasonings and thickness to your preference with broth and spices.
Remove from heat and serve hot with rice and or tostones.

Notes

Smash half an onion and a couple of cloves of garlic and add it to the soaking water. The extra flavor soaks into the dried beans for even more deliciousness.
You can totally stew beans in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. A pressure cooker takes about 15 minutes on high to cook soaked beans, then natural pressure release. A slow cooker takes 6-8 hours on low.
Making stew with cooked or canned beans in a slow cooker or Instant Pot is also super easy. Assemble all the ingredients and cook for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low in your crock pot. Or 3-5 minutes on high pressure in your pressure cooker.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition