Black Beans and Rice is a quick and easy dish made from scratch with pantry staples! Serve it as a side or main meal with Mexican or Cuban meat dish.
Serve it with chicken enchiladas and cornbread or add taco meat, top with cheese and bake for a delicious family dinner!
Rice and beans are two staples I always have on hand. With the addition of seasoning, garlic, onion and bell pepper I can turn it into an easy and flavorful dish that can be served on the side or turned into a full meal. I cook rice and black beans in my Instant Pot and store them in the freezer. It cuts down on the prep time for this recipe. You can use canned beans (rinsed and drained) and even minute rice. This recipe is easy, convenient, and satisfying!
Ingredients:
- rice (any type you like)
- black beans
- onion
- garlic
- green bell pepper
- ground cumin
- dried oregano
- salt and pepper
How to make Black Beans and Rice?
- Start by sauteeing onion, pepper and garlic in olive oil, in a skillet.
- Add seasoning and stir in. Saute for 2 minutes. This activates the spices.
- Add beans and stir in.
- Add rice and stir in.
- Make sure the dish is heated through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve drizzled with lime juice and garnished with cilantro or parsley.
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What rice can I use to make this dish?
Any kind of rice works! I use long-grain white rice or brown rice. You can use jasmine rice or even minute rice! It can be freshly made or made a day ahead and chilled in the fridge.
Storing:
Any leftovers should be stored in a container with lid in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What to serve with Black Beans and Rice?
You can serve this dish as is as a side to tacos or turn into a casserole. Add cooked ground meat (beef or turkey), cooked chicken, corn, chopped jalapenos, cilantro and lime juice.
More side dish recipes:
For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse the Side Dish Category.
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Black Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked rice see note
- 1 ½ cups black beans see note
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook rice according to instructions on the package. See note for my method.2 cups uncooked rice
- Heat up oil in a skillet, over medium heat.1 tablespoon olive oil
- Add chopped onion, pepper and garlic and saute until the onion is translucent.1 medium yellow onion, 1 green bell pepper, 3 garlic cloves
- Add seasoning and stir in. Saute for 2 minutes. This activates the spices and makes the dish flavorful.1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- Add beans and stir in. Add rice and stir in. Make sure the dish is heated through.1 ½ cups black beans
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Serve drizzled with lime juice and garnished with cilantro or parsley.
Notes
- You can use long-grain white rice, brown rice or Jasmin rice. Even minute rice works!
- If you are using long-grain rice, brown rice or Jasmin: heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pot. Add rice and toast it for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often. When you noticed that some of the grains become light brown, add warm tap water (1.25 cups of water per 1 cup or rice). Stir and cover. Cook over medium heat, for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the lid and fluffy the rice immediately with a fork. Chill till the next day or use it in the recipe the same day.
- If you are using canned beans, use two cans. Rinse and drain the beans well.
- Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.
Darrin says
Needs olive oil or that would be a dry recipe and lots of parsley
Anna says
Thank you, Darrin!
Joann Serre says
Great side dish lots of flavor
Eden says
This was so good! The perfect side to our tacos tonight!
Anna says
We love it with tacos too! Thanks, Eden!
wilhelmina says
I love black beans and rice! Your recipe has the perfect flavor blend and it always hits the spot!
Anna says
Awesome! Thanks, Wilhelmina!
stephanie says
These black beans and rice were so filling and satisfying, will be making these again.
Anna says
Thank you, Stephanie!