Cuban Bowl with Pork, Black Beans, & Rice

Easy to assemble these delicious Cuban Bowls are full of pork, cuban black beans, fried plantains/bananas, and rice. Making for a fun and fresh meal!

This post may contain Affiliate Links.

Cuban Rice Bowl

After working on my Slow Cooker Mojo Pork recipe I realized that there is so much you can do with Cuban Pork!

One of these things are these delicious Cuban Bowls. I personally think these cuban bowls are the perfect leftover meal. Make and enjoy your mojo pork one day and then make these the next!

With the pork in the slow cooker all you really need to do is make some rice (hello parboiled minute rice), make cuban black beans, and fry a few plantains or bananas.

The best part (as with all bowl meals) is that each family member can make up their own bowl. So personally I love piling high the black beans, my one son and husband pile on the pork, and my other son is more of a rice and fried banana kid. It’s perfect!

ingredients

• Cooked Brown Rice – For this recipe I left this part a little open to interrelation so you can cook rice the way that fits your family best. I like to use brown rice for the nutritional value. You can use parboiled minute rice for a quick cook! You can use traditional brown rice that takes a bit more time. You cook on the stovetop or a rice/pressure cooker. You can have the rice make ahead of time! Make what is right for you.
• Mojo Pork – Hop over to my Crockpot Mojo Pork Recipe. You can make this the day of for a fantastic meal or use leftovers to make a leftover mojo pork cuban bowl! Both options are great and a wonderful way to stretch a meal.
• Olive Oil – For the black beans, for sautéing the pepper, onion, and garlic.
• Red Bell Pepper – Just half of a bell pepper minced for the black beans.
• Yellow Onion – Just half of the onion for the blackens as well.
• Garlic – Preferably a fresh clove minced, or about 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic.
• Ground Cumin – To flavor the black beans.
• Black Beans – With their liquid from the can!
• Red Wine Vinegar – To bring some acidity to the black beans, a little goes a ways here.
• Bay Leaves – To help flavor the black beans.
• Kosher Salt – For the black beans, feel free to add more if needed
• Plantains/Green Bananas – You can use either for this recipe. Plantains might be harder to find for some people, so just grab a few large green bananas instead. The biggest differences are that plantains are thicker skinned and more starchy.
• Coconut Oil – For frying the plantains/bananas, you can use a different high heat oil in the place of coconut if you want. For the second batch you might need to add more oil, so keep an eye on skillet.
• Limes & Cilantro – For serving as garnishes!

For a complete detailed list of the ingredients continue towards the bottom of the page.

instructions

Start with the cuban black beans, they will simmer while you fry the plantains/green bananas.

For the cuban black beans place a small/medium pot over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot add the oil, diced peppers, and diced onion. Sauté about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.

Add in the minced garlic and cook about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add in the cumin, black beans, vinegar, bay leaves and salt. Once it starts to simmer reduce to low and cook 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

For the plantains/bananas. Peel and cut them into thirds and then cut each piece in half the long way.

Place a skillet over medium heat. Add the coconut oil to the skillet, once the oil is hot and shiny add about half of the bananas, making sure they aren’t touching.

Cook about 3 minutes or until brown. Gently flip and cook another 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and cover to keep warm. Cook the second batch the same way. Add more oil if it is needed.

Warm the pork/rice if needed. Begin building the Cuban bowls. Add to each bowl the rice, black beans, and pork. Top with the fried bananas, chopped cilantro, and a lime wedge. Serve immediately.

And make sure you are following me on TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, for all the latest recipes!