Habichuelas Guisadas (Dominican Stewed Red Beans)
Local name: Habichuelas guisadas
In short: Tender red beans simmered with sofrito, tomato, cilantro and calabaza squash that melts into a thick, savory gravy for white rice. It takes about 2 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 245 kcal
Habichuelas guisadas are the stewed red beans that sit beside white rice at almost every Dominican lunch. The beans are cooked until soft, then simmered with a sofrito of onion, peppers, garlic and cilantro, a little tomato sauce, and cubes of calabaza squash that dissolve into the broth and give it body. The gravy is meant to be spooned over the rice. Many families make a big pot on Sunday and eat from it for several days.
Instructions
- Put the soaked beans, water and bay leaf in a pot. Boil hard for 10 minutes, then simmer partly covered for 50 to 60 minutes, until the beans are almost tender.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and pepper for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, tomato paste, tomato sauce and oregano and cook for 3 minutes, until the mixture darkens.
- Stir the sofrito into the beans with the squash, half of the cilantro, the salt and the black pepper.
- Simmer partly covered for 30 to 40 minutes, until the beans are very soft and the squash has fallen apart into the broth.
- Mash about a quarter of the beans against the side of the pot for a thicker gravy. Add hot water if it is too thick.
- Stir in the remaining cilantro, remove the bay leaf and serve over white rice.
Tips
- For a faster version, use two 400 g (14 oz) cans of beans with their liquid and 250 ml (1 cup) of water, and simmer with the sofrito and squash for 20 minutes.
- For a smokier flavor, stir 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika into the sofrito along with the oregano.
Questions and answers
What kind of beans are used for habichuelas guisadas?
Dominicans use small red beans called habichuelas rojas. Red kidney beans or pinto beans are good substitutes.
Why is squash added to the beans?
Calabaza squash breaks down as it cooks and thickens the broth, giving the beans a creamy body and a hint of sweetness.
Can I freeze habichuelas guisadas?
Yes. Cool and freeze them in containers for up to 3 months. The gravy thickens as it sits, so add a little water when you reheat.
How long does it take to make Habichuelas Guisadas (Dominican Stewed Red Beans)?
About 2 h 10 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Habichuelas Guisadas (Dominican Stewed Red Beans)?
About 245 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 245 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
