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My wholesome stewed crimson beans recipe is ideal for anybody who craves a scrumptious weeknight meal, desires a fast and simple dish, and loves comforting flavors. I really like that it takes little or no time to return collectively, making it preferrred for busy people or for households on the lookout for a easy dinner. It’s a budget-friendly, hearty aspect dish filled with tons of taste, and it additionally occurs to be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free!
Caribbean impressed crimson beans stew solely requires a handful of elements that come collectively for a flavorful recipe. It’s just like Jamaican stew peas with kidney beans, coconut, and herbs, however I made just a few modifications.
Whereas historically this recipe has pig’s tail or different meat, I wished to make a stew that was customizable to satisfy different dietary preferences, particularly since my household is vegetarian! And I’m comfortable to share that my model turned out tremendous satisfying and hearty – with all the taste of the standard model!
I normally serve this over rice or quinoa that I cook dinner within the Immediate Pot to maintain it budget-friendly and vegetarian.
With a little bit adjusting, leftovers may simply be changed into vegan bean tacos, bean soup, or perhaps a bean burger. Speak about a terrific recipe that may work additional time!
I’ll share 3 straightforward strategies for making this kidney bean stew, and I promise the ultimate product can be unbelievable regardless of which choice you select! If you do that stew for the primary time, you’ll be immediately hooked!
Beans are one among my favourite plant primarily based proteins to cook dinner with, as a result of they’re so excessive in protein, fiber, nutritional vitamins and minerals (supply), and this recipe highlights crimson kidney beans completely!
My model has earthy, savory notes from the beans, sweetness from the butternut squash, is mildly spiced, and is barely tangy from the tomatoes and vegan Worcestershire giving it a posh stability of flavors that makes me simply wish to take seconds, and thirds!
I additionally admire that there are three alternative ways to make this wholesome stewed crimson kidney beans recipe, so I can select whichever technique works finest for me. Whether or not I’m utilizing the Immediate Pot, cooking it on the range, or letting it simmer within the sluggish cooker, I all the time get the identical scrumptious end result. It’s excellent for no matter matches into my day!
This recipe is of course gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian, which makes it a terrific selection for these with dietary preferences or restrictions. It’s filled with wholesome elements which are each satisfying and healthful. It’s my go-to for once I need one thing easy but nutritious.
One in all my favourite issues about this dish is how straightforward it’s to customise. I can add completely different greens or spices relying on what I’ve readily available, making it versatile and versatile. Plus, it’s budget-friendly, so I don’t have to interrupt the financial institution to take pleasure in a hearty, flavorful meal.
On the finish of the day, that is the final word crimson kidney beans stew recipe. It ticks all of the containers!
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🥘 Elements
My recipe for stewed crimson kidney beans requires quite simple elements. Try the recipe card on the backside of this submit for precise measurements.
Olive Oil: I like utilizing additional virgin olive oil for sautéing the greens on this recipe, however generally I swap it up with avocado or vegetable oil relying on what I’ve readily available.
Garlic, Onion, Carrots, Celery: I really like the aroma of sautéed onions and garlic! Diced carrots and celery add the right texture and are traditional selections for any stew or soup.
Butternut Squash: I really like these stewed crimson beans with butternut squash for added veggies and sweetness, but when I’m out of butternut squash, I’ve discovered that cooked and diced pumpkin works simply as properly and brings the same taste and heartiness to this recipe.
Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Scotch bonnet peppers are my secret ingredient for including a daring, candy, and spicy kick. These peppers are fairly sizzling, about 40 instances spicier than a jalapeno! Once I have to tone down the warmth, I swap them with chile peppers, poblanos, and even inexperienced bell peppers.
Brown Sugar: I really like how the brown sugar on this recipe offers a refined sweetness whereas barely caramelizing the greens for a wealthy depth of taste.
Tomato Paste: Tomato paste is my go-to for these wholesome stewed beans, although tomato sauce also can work. I make sure that to keep away from marinara sauce, which brings too many Italian flavors and might conflict with the spices on this dish.
Vegetable Broth & Coconut Cream: Vegetable broth is the bottom for this stew, however once I don’t have it, I merely use water and add additional seasonings.
Cherry Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes add a recent burst of taste that I take pleasure in, but when I solely have a big tomato readily available, I simply cube it up and toss it in.
Kidney Beans: The kidney beans are the star of this dish, however I’ll use some other beans I’ve if wanted. Each canned and dried beans work properly. Enjoyable truth: in Jamaica, kidney beans are known as “crimson peas,” which I discover fairly fascinating!
Thyme, Inexperienced Onions, Contemporary Cilantro: Contemporary thyme offers this stew a stunning natural notice, and I generally add sprigs of different herbs or bay leaves for additional taste. Inexperienced onions go in on the finish to reinforce the feel, and cilantro is an optionally available however scrumptious of completion once I need extra taste.
Worcestershire Sauce, Salt, Pepper: I exploit Worcestershire sauce to deepen the flavour, however for a vegan choice, I’ll swap it with soy sauce or white wine vinegar. Traditional salt and black pepper spherical out the seasoning completely.
👩🏽🍳 How To Make Stewed Pink Kidney Beans
Learn to make my Caribbean fashion stewed crimson beans recipe! There are just a few alternative ways to make this recipe, relying on the out there tools. Beneath are directions for the prompt pot, stovetop, and sluggish cooker.
Range High
Sauté Veggies: I begin by heating oil in a deep saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-low warmth and sautéing the diced onion till it softens. Then, I add the garlic and cook dinner it for one more couple of minutes. After that, I toss within the carrots, celery, butternut squash / pumpkin, and scotch bonnet pepper, sautéing for 4-5 minutes, stirring to ensure all the things cooks evenly.
Add Brown Sugar: Subsequent, I sprinkle within the brown sugar and let it cook dinner till it melts and begins to caramelize, including a pleasant contact of sweetness to the dish.
Add Liquids: I stir within the tomato paste, vegetable broth, coconut cream, and cherry tomatoes. Then, I carry the combination to a boil over medium-high warmth.
Add Beans: As soon as it’s boiling, I add the canned beans, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. I let it come to a boil once more, ensuring all the things is properly mixed.
Add Closing Taste & Serve: Lastly, I add the inexperienced onions, salt, pepper, and cilantro. I cook dinner all of it for about half-hour, or till the greens are mushy and the sauce has thickened. I alter the seasoning to style and serve the stewed beans sizzling.
Immediate Pot
Sauté Onion & Garlic: I set the Immediate Pot to the “sauté” setting and add oil and diced onion. I sauté the onion till it softens, then add the garlic and sauté for one more 2 minutes.
Add Veggies: After that, I add the carrots, celery, pumpkin, and scotch bonnet pepper. I sauté all the things for one more 4-5 minutes, ensuring to stir for even cooking. Then, I add the brown sugar and cook dinner it till it melts and begins to caramelize.
Add Remainder of Elements: Subsequent, I stir within the tomato paste, vegetable broth, coconut cream, cherry tomatoes, soaked dried kidney beans, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce. I additionally add the inexperienced onions, salt, pepper, and cilantro, stirring properly to mix all the things.
Prepare dinner On Excessive Strain: I safe the lid on the Immediate Pot, set the stress cooker to the sealing setting, and choose excessive stress. I cook dinner it for 12 minutes, or till the greens are mushy and the sauce has thickened.
Alter Seasoning & Serve: As soon as the pot is open, I style the stew and alter the seasoning if wanted. Then, I serve this kidney bean stew sizzling.
Sluggish Cooker
Add Elements: I begin by including the tomato paste, vegetable broth, coconut cream, cherry tomatoes, soaked dry beans, thyme, and Worcestershire sauce to the sluggish cooker. I set it to excessive and canopy it for two hours.
Sauté Veggies: Whereas that cooks, I warmth oil in a medium saucepan and sauté the diced onion till it softens. Then, I add the garlic and cook dinner for one more 2 minutes. After that, I toss within the carrots, celery, pumpkin, and scotch bonnet pepper, sautéing for 4-5 minutes whereas stirring to make sure all the things cooks evenly.
Combine In Veggies & Serve: After the two hours are up, I uncover the sluggish cooker and add the sautéed veggies. I give all of it stir to let the flavors meld collectively, alter the seasoning to my style, and serve the dish sizzling.
My #1 Secret Tip for making this easy crimson kidney beans recipe on the range is to let the beans simmer on low warmth for so long as attainable. This sluggish simmering course of offers the beans time to soak up all of the flavors from the spices, herbs, and greens, making the dish richer and extra complicated. I discover that the longer I allow them to cook dinner, the deeper the flavors change into, so I by no means rush this half.
When I’ve the additional time, I favor to make use of dried beans soaked in a single day as a substitute of canned beans. Soaking the beans not solely makes them cook dinner sooner but additionally offers them a softer, creamier texture that enhances the general heartiness of the stew.
The dried beans additionally have a tendency to carry up higher in the course of the lengthy cooking course of, absorbing the flavors extra successfully than canned beans.
If utilizing dried beans, I add the soaked beans and water to the recipe, after sautéing the onions and garlic. The cooking time will have to be adjusted by a further 1 to 1.5 hours earlier than persevering with with the remaining steps within the crimson bean stew recipe.
Different Ideas To Hold In Thoughts:
- Don’t Drain The Kidney Beans: I all the time add the beans together with the liquid they’re in for this stewed crimson beans recipe to reinforce the flavour and richness.
- Lower Evenly Diced Veggies: I make sure that to cube all of the greens to the identical measurement in order that they cook dinner evenly and mix completely into the stew.
- Use Coconut Cream For Creaminess: For the creamiest texture, I favor utilizing coconut cream, however coconut milk works properly too if that’s what I’ve readily available.
- When To Take away Thyme Sprigs: As soon as the sauce has thickened and the beans and greens are mushy, I take away the thyme sprigs as a result of the flavour has already infused into the stew.
- For A Thinner Stew: If I need a thinner consistency, I slowly add a cup of water till I attain my desired thickness.
- Mash The Beans: In the direction of the top of cooking, I prefer to mash a small portion of the beans towards the aspect of the pot. This trick helps naturally thicken the stew and provides the dish a pleasant, creamy consistency whereas nonetheless sustaining the integrity of many of the beans.
📖 Variations
My stewed kidney beans are a scrumptious recipe with flavors that may simply be switched up. Listed here are some variations I’ve tried:
Totally different Spices: I really like that this stew options Caribbean flavors, however I can simply swap up the spices to discover different cuisines. Typically, I add cumin, cayenne pepper, or recent herbs for selection. Utilizing a bay leaf or recent parsley provides a pleasant contact to the stewed crimson kidney beans.
Totally different Kind Of Beans: Pinto beans, white beans, black beans, or cannellini beans work nice, and generally I combine just a few varieties to create a novel mix.
Habichuelas Guisadas: To present this recipe a Puerto Rican twist, I swap the kidney beans for pink beans and add cumin, stuffed olives, and adobo seasoning. It transforms the dish into a preferred Puerto Rican aspect, which pairs completely with yellow rice.
Ewa Riro: For a Nigerian spin, I exploit black-eyed peas or honey beans and substitute the vegetable inventory with bouillon powder. If I’m not sticking to a vegetarian model, I’ll add crayfish, catfish, or smoked turkey to make this one-pot meal even heartier.
🍽 Serving Strategies
Served over a humble bowl of rice is the standard solution to pair these stewed kidney beans. Listed here are just a few different choices I really like:
Bread: A traditional means to absorb that stewed gravy from the beans! I like to serve this with buckwheat sourdough bread or garlic bread.
Salad: As a result of this can be a very filling meal, I prefer to pair it with a lightweight salad. My roasted pumpkin salad, beetroot and feta salad, or spinach and arugula salad all have these related earthy flavors that complement this dish properly.
🫙 Storing And ♨️ Reheating
Earlier than storing these vegan stewed beans, I enable the stewed beans to chill to room temperature. Then, I both freeze it or refrigerate it. Right here’s how:
Fridge: I retailer leftovers within the fridge, in an hermetic container, for as much as 5 days.
Freezer: These beans will maintain for as much as 2 months if frozen. To save lots of house, I put the beans in hermetic freezer luggage and freeze them flat.
Reheating: I like to recommend defrosting within the fridge in a single day, and warming the beans within the microwave or on the range prime earlier than serving.
❓Recipe FAQs
Sure, it truly tends to style even higher the subsequent day because the flavors proceed to develop. I simply make the recipe then retailer it within the fridge and reheat it totally earlier than serving.
You technically can, however I wouldn’t advocate it. Kidney beans and different legumes will freeze fairly properly, however might get a little bit mushy after being defrosted. Once I’m in a pinch and want to make use of frozen beans, I make sure that to thaw them earlier than including them to the stew, and likewise I cut back the cooking time in order that I don’t threat overcooking them and creating mushy beans.
I verify if the beans are accomplished by tasting them. They need to be tender however not mushy. In the event that they’re nonetheless agency, I’ll allow them to cook dinner a bit longer till they attain the specified texture.
Sure, often I’ll add greens like spinach or kale in the direction of the top of cooking. They’ll wilt shortly and add additional vitamins and taste to the stew.
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📋 Recipe Card
Caribbean-Fashion Stewed Pink Beans (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
My wholesome stewed crimson beans recipe is ideal for anybody who craves a scrumptious weeknight meal, desires a fast and simple dish, and loves comforting flavors. I really like that it takes little or no time to return collectively, making it preferrred for busy people or for households on the lookout for a easy dinner. It is a budget-friendly, hearty aspect dish filled with tons of taste, and it additionally occurs to be vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free!
Servings: 6
Energy: 308kcal
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In a heavy primarily based pot warmth the oil and sauté the diced onion till mushy.
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Add the garlic and cook dinner for one more 2 minutes.
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Add the carrots, celery, pumpkin and scotch bonnet pepper, sauté for one more 4-5 minutes stirring to make sure even cooking.
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Subsequent, add the brown sugar and cook dinner till melted and starting to caramelize.
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Stir within the tomato paste, vegetable broth, coconut cream and cherry tomatoes, carry to a boil.
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Add the kidney beans, thyme and Worcestershire sauce proceed to warmth and produce to the boil once more.
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Lastly add the inexperienced onions, salt, pepper and cilantro. Prepare dinner for half-hour or till the greens are mushy and the sauce has thickened.
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Alter seasoning to style and serve sizzling.
- Don’t drain the kidney beans, add the beans and the liquid that they’re in.
- Cube all greens to the identical measurement to make sure even cooking.
- It’s finest to make use of coconut cream nevertheless you may as well use coconut milk if most popular.
- Vegetable broth may be substituted with rooster broth and even water.
- Cherry tomatoes add a scrumptious sweetness to the dish nevertheless you could possibly additionally simply use 1 massive tomato as a substitute.
- I’ve used canned kidney beans to avoid wasting time nevertheless in the event you’d favor to make use of dried kidney beans you’ll want to make use of 2 cups of dried beans, totally washed and soak in 8 cups of water for at the very least 2 hours or in a single day. Don’t drain the water off.
- If utilizing dried beans add the soaked beans and water to the recipe at step 2, after sautéing the onions and garlic, and cook dinner for 1 hour earlier than persevering with with the remaining steps within the recipe.
- You’ll want to extend the cooking time by at the very least 1 hour to 1 hour and half-hour if utilizing dried beans to provide sufficient time to cook dinner and softened the beans.
- As soon as the sauce has thicken and the beans and greens are mushy, take away the thyme sprigs.
- Stewed beans may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days or frozen for as much as 2 months.
Energy: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 9g | Fats: 17g | Saturated Fats: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g | Monounsaturated Fats: 2g | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 757mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 8g