Brazilian Cuisine
Black Beans with Smoked Paprika
Black Beans with Smoked Paprika is an express version of the traditional Brazilian bean stew, designed for today's dynamic pace of life. The dense, velvety texture of pre-cooked black beans is warmed in flavorful oil, absorbing the savory notes of sautéed onions and garlic. Smoked paprika acts as the key secret ingredient, instantly imparting a noble smoky aroma and a deep flavor typically found in long-simmered meat delicacies. A splash of apple cider vinegar at the finish beautifully refreshes the palate, creating a superb, warming side dish or a standalone nutritious meal in just a few minutes.
Dishday
Recipe overview
- Total time
- 15 min
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cooking
- 10 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cuisine
- Brazilian Cuisine
Nutrition
per serving
- Calories
- 180 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 26 g
- Fiber
- 7 g
Step by step
Method
- 01
Peel the onion and cut it into very fine, neat cubes
Peel the onion and cut it into very fine, neat cubes. Fine dicing allows the onion to quickly dissolve into the sauce, releasing its natural sweetness.
- 02
Peel the garlic cloves and mince them finely with a knife
Peel the garlic cloves and mince them finely with a knife. Chopping with a knife, rather than using a press, will prevent the garlic from burning quickly and preserve its delicate savory taste.
- 03
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat
Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly with a spatula, until it is soft, translucent, and slightly golden.
- 04
Add the minced garlic and smoked paprika to the onion
Add the minced garlic and smoked paprika to the onion. Cook everything together for exactly 1 minute — in the hot oil, the paprika will instantly release its deep smoky aroma and color the mixture a beautiful crimson.
- 05
Pour the pre-cooked black beans into the skillet, add the sal…
Pour the pre-cooked black beans into the skillet, add the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir thoroughly so that the savory oil base evenly coats every single bean.
- 06
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the beans, covered, for 5 m…
Reduce the heat to low and simmer the beans, covered, for 5 minutes. During this time, the legumes will warm through completely, soften, and absorb the savory flavors of the smoked spices.
- 07
Remove the skillet from the heat, pour in the apple cider vin…
Remove the skillet from the heat, pour in the apple cider vinegar, and gently stir one last time. The vinegar will balance the density of the beans, adding a light, fruity acidity.
Dishday
Useful advice
Cooking tip
To achieve a restaurant-quality creamy consistency, pour a couple of tablespoons of bean broth into the pan and mash a small portion of the beans with a spatula directly while simmering.
How to serve
Serve the beans hot, arranged in deep bowls. They pair ideally with fluffy white rice, lime wedges, and a few sprigs of fresh cilantro.
How to store
Store the cooked dish in the refrigerator in a tightly closed container for up to 3 days. Before serving, reheat in a pan, splashing a spoonful of water to restore juiciness.
Note
If you do not have pre-cooked beans, feel free to use high-quality canned black beans, draining the excess liquid beforehand.
