Dominican Stewed Beans/Habichuelas Dominicanas

Dominican stewed beans is a staple in I would dare to say, every Dominican household. I mean is in our veins to eat this. I’m not complaining because they are delicious.

When I was younger, my mother would cook the beans before the rest of the food or actually the stewed beans were ready before the rest of the food was. You know what me and my sisters used to do? We would ask her to serve us the beans in a cup, so we can eat the beans just like that, by itself. Hey, it was a way for us not to die of hunger and of course to eat our mommy super yummy beans.

Dominican stewed beans are for the most part thick, but my mother would make them a little more “saucy” or less thick. My little sister was a picky eater and since she was the baby of the clan, my mom would spoil her like no tomorrow. So she would serve my little sister her rice and then just the bean sauce or stew without the actual beans!

I am telling you, that was cray cray. But it happened, and all of that just so my sister could get some of the nutrients the beans have..

Dominican stewed beans are famous for its flavor, the minute that you eat it you will say ” those are Dominican beans”. Once you taste it, you would literally not go back! You will want to eat it all of the time, if you like beans that is. Also we eat the beans with white rice , It is just the perfect combo.

I love to cook the beans with a lot of flavors and seasoning. I have to cook it with red onions and green peppers. It is a must, if I don’t have that, I would not cook it.

I also love to add cilantro(optional) because I love the flavor of it and celery sticks too. I know, but is so good. Trust me.

I love to see all of the herbs cooking and making my Dominican stewed beans special and delicious.

Oh, I also add sugar to the mix. why? Because my grandmother told me so and you always have to listen to your grandmother! But in all seriousness it adds a slight sweetness to the beans that is out of this world.

Now go get yourself some Dominican stewed beans and you will see what I am talking about. Better yet. make some.

• two cans of Goya Red beans
• 2 tbsps. liquid seasoning
• half a tbsp. of Adobo Goya all purpose seasoning (or salt and pepper to taste)
• couple of leaves of cilantro
• 1/2 celery stick
• 1/4 green bell pepper
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 packet of Goya culantro& Achiote ( for coloring)
• 1/2 of red onion
• 1 tsp. regular sugar

1. On a pan(deep, soup like pan) heat about 2 tbsps. of cooking oil
2. Add the all purpose seasoning, garlic powder, cilantro, red onion, green pepper, celery, liquid seasoning and the packet of culantro&achiote ( mix) for 1 minute
3. drain the two cans of beans and add it to the pan, cook for about 2 minutes and press down on the beans
4. add water to both cans of beans and add it to the pan, mix well and cook for 5minutes
5. Mix beans again and add the sugar and mix again.
6. Cook for 25 minutes on low with a lid on.