Belize Stewed Beans Recipe with Stovetop and Crockpot Instructions

I absolutely fell in love with the food in Belize when I visited a friend who was living in Punta Gorda back in 2015. Since then, the one dish that I’ve recreated at home from that trip is Belize stewed beans.

After trying several different Belizean stewed beans recipes over the years, I have come up with my own version that I think tastes the most like the beans that were a daily staple for me while I was there.

I don’t typically talk about food here, especially cooking or recipes. I do love cooking, though, and it’s a part of my everyday life, so I figured I’d start sharing more food posts.

However, remember that I’m not a food blogger, and I don’t even consider myself a great cook, since I tend to forget directions. I just like the process of cooking, trying new recipes, and learning new flavor combinations.

The photos are probably horrible, definitely not Insta-worthy, but believe me, the results were delicious – otherwise, I wouldn’t be sharing!

Easy Belize Stewed Beans Recipe

Adapted from recipes I found on Taste Belize.

• Prep Time: 8-12 hours (overnight)
• Cook Time: A few hours
• Servings: A lot! If you’re cooking for one, make sure to have containers to freeze several portions.

Side Note: I believe this preparation method is considered Belizean Kriol rather than traditional Mayan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb bag dry red kidney beans
• 1 Tbs olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 bayleaf
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 2 Tbs coconut oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp salt (optional, I like to use kosher salt)
• pigtail (optional)

Note on optional ingredients: Adding a pigtail is traditional but not required if you want to keep this dish plant based. After trying it both ways, I prefer to cook these beans without meat. If you do include it, just remember to omit the salt. Pigtail substitutes include a ham hock, some cooked bacon, or the bone from a leftover spiral ham.

Belizean Stew Beans Step-by-Step

Preparing and cooking these beans is a little time-consuming. Preparation starts the night before, and cooking lasts a few hours. So, make sure to plan ahead and set aside the time. It will be worth it!

I’ve tested using a crockpot and have added those instructions below, as well.

Stage 1 | Soaking

Step 1: Place beans in a large bowl and pick out any rogue pebbles. Then cover with water and remove all floating beans (if they float, that means they are not fresh) and any beans you just don’t like. Drain and replace the gross water with fresh water.

Step 2: Make sure to add an extra 2-3 inches of water over the beans – they will soak up a lot of it. Leave the bowl on the counter and let the beans soak for at least 8 hours. Soaking them overnight is the easiest.

Step 3: The next day, drain the water from the beans and rinse them well. Set them aside for now.

Stage 2 | If Cooking on the Stovetop

Step 4: In a large, deep pot (use a cast iron dutch oven if you have one), sauté the garlic and onion in the olive oil until fragrant. Add the oregano, cumin seeds, and ground cumin and continue to sauté for about a minute. If you have a deep

Step 5: Transfer the beans to the pot with the aromatics and spices, then cover them with water, adding an extra 1-2 inches on top. Add the bay leaf and bring to a boil over high heat with no lid. Stir gently and frequently to prevent beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 6: Then reduce the heat and set to a hard simmer, keeping the lid on. Keep an eye on the pot, stirring occasionally to prevent the beans from sticking to the bottom. As the beans absorb the water (and some evaporates), add hot water to the pot to keep the beans just covered.

Step 7: After an hour, scoop out a spoonful of beans and lightly blow on them like you’re cooling them off to eat. If the skin on the beans lifts or peels back, that means they are ready to be seasoned with salt (or pork).

Step 8: Continue simmering until the liquid thickens into a gravy. Taste the beans and adjust seasonings to your liking. To thicken up the gravy, mash up some of the beans and stir them into the rest.

Stage 2 | If Using a Crockpot

Step 4: Sauté the garlic and onion in a large, deep pot until fragrant. Add the oregano, cumin seeds, and ground cumin and continue to sauté for about a minute.

Step 5: Transfer the beans to the pot with the aromatics and spices, then cover them with water until just covered. Bring to a boil over high heat, then boil for 10-30 minutes. *Do not skip this step, especially if using kidney beans. It’s important to deactivate the phytohaemagglutinin toxin in kidney beans, which can cause illness within hours after ingestion.

Step 6: Transfer the bean, onion, and garlic mixture to the crock pot. Add the bay leaf and enough water to just cover the beans. Cook for 4-5 hours on high.

Step 7: After a couple of hours, scoop out a spoonful of beans and lightly blow on them like you’re cooling them off to eat. If the skin on the beans lifts or peels back, that means they are ready to be seasoned with salt (or pork).

Step 8: Continue to cook stirring ocassionally on high for 2-3 more hours. Taste the beans and adjust seasonings to your liking. To thicken the gravy, mash some of the beans and stir them into the rest.

Best Ways to Eat Belize Stewed Beans

Now you’re probably thinking, “What am I going to do with this giant pot of beans?” A traditional Belizean meal, like the ones I had at several Punta Gorda restaurants, would pair the beans with rice cooked in some coconut milk, some stewed chicken, coleslaw (or potato salad), and fried plantains. SO DELICIOUS!

I also eat these delicious beans just like any other kind:

• In a rice and veggie bowl with whatever vegetables I have around
• On top of nachos
• In a burrito
• Refried and added to any of the dishes above
• With eggs for breakfast
• Blended into a bean dip

How do you like to eat Belize stew beans? Share in the comments.

Belize Reading List

Try out one of these cookbooks with Belizean recipes, and a couple of guidebooks for when you decide to plan your own trip to Belize!

Search for more books set in Belize:

FAQs about Belize Stewed Beans