Havana Beans

Bring a taste of the Caribbean to your table with this vibrant and flavorful Havana Beans recipe. Perfect as a hearty main or versatile side dish, this one-pot wonder combines tender black beans with a medley of aromatic spices like cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano, simmered to perfection in a rich tomato-based broth. The addition of fresh lime juice adds a zesty brightness, while optional cilantro and fluffy white rice make for a complete and satisfying meal. Ready in just 35 minutes, this vegan and gluten-free recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you're craving a healthy, plant-based dish with bold Cuban-inspired flavors.

Nutriscore Rating: 80/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 3 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup tomato sauce (unsalted)
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
• 2 cups cooked white rice (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet, and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.

Step 4

Sprinkle in the cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano, stirring well to coat the vegetables in the spices.

Step 5

Add the cooked black beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable broth to the skillet, and stir to combine.

Step 6

Drop in the bay leaf and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the beans cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaf and stir in the lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Step 9

Serve the Havana Beans warm, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired, over a bed of cooked white rice or as a standalone dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1929 grams (1929.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1701

Total Fat 35.60g	46%
Saturated Fat 5.80g	29%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.40g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2977mg	129%
Total Carbohydrate 290.00g	105%
Dietary Fiber 55.50g	198%
Total Sugars 24.90g
Protein 65.00g	130%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 342mg	26%
Iron 22mg	119%
Potassium 3524mg	75%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 18.4%

Protein: 14.9%

Carbs: 66.7%