A Heart-Healthy Bean Stew to Make you Feel like a Million Bucks

pinto beans

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: canned beans

Canned beans save time and money while still providing protein.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is often less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water

Using water is a cost-effective way to make the stew, though it may lack depth.

smoked paprika

🥗Healthier: sweet paprika

💰Cheaper: regular paprika

Regular paprika can be used for flavor without the smoky notes.

Heat a stockpot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

Add 1 small diced onion, 1 finely chopped green bell pepper, 1 peeled and thinly sliced carrot, and 4 roughly chopped cloves of garlic; sauté for about 4 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Add 1 roughly chopped tomato and 1 medium-sized peeled and quarter-inch diced potato; mix well.

Stir in 1 teaspoon of sweet smoked Spanish paprika and 0.5 teaspoon of ground cumin, then season with sea salt and black pepper; cook for a couple more minutes.

Add 2.5 cups of rinsed cooked pinto beans and 3 cups of vegetable broth; bring to a boil.

Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to low-medium; simmer for about 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, remove the lid and check the potatoes for doneness.

Add 2 cups of roughly chopped fresh spinach and mix until wilted; remove from heat.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: