Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2024)

Thiseasy black beans and rice recipegoes great with just about any meat, or you can stir in diced chicken or sausage to make a one-dish meal. It is versatile, inexpensive, andverytasty.

This black and beans rice recipe is so good, y’all.It’s one of my family’s favorite dishes, and it’s so versatile! Serve it as a side with any meat of your choice, stir in some chicken or sausage, use it tofill burritos, or just eat it on its own. So many possibilities!

Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (1)

What You Need To Know about Black Beans and Rice Recipe

Rice is a non-allergenic and gluten-free food. It is a member of the grass family, which is consumed by nearly half of the world’s population. It is the staple diet for many regions of the world, including South America and Asia. Many people think that rice’s origins can be traced back to 3000 BC in India, where locals found the plant growing wild. Interesting, right? Keep reading and enjoy this easy black beans and rice recipe.

All beans are naturally low in fat and a great source of protein, magnesium, dietary fiber, complex carbs, iron, and antioxidants. High fiber foods are a smart choice for diabetics and other low-fat diets since they can help naturally decrease cholesterol and prevent blood sugar levels. Constant bean consumption can protect against cancer, heart problems, and aging.

Influenced By Many Cultures

Beans and rice are belonging many cultures around the world and these staple foods combine and make a great dish. The mix of plant foods offers a number of crucial elements as well as a substantial amount of calories, and both meals are commonly available. While the rice can be either plain or seasoned, the beans are typically seasoned. The two ingredients can be combined, served individually on the platter, or both together. The beans add a lovely, rich taste to the rice and are a fantastic source of protein.

Rice with black beans is such a traditional pairing. There are many different methods to prepare it, but this one is simple, quick to prepare, and delicious. Beans and rice are a staple food in many countries, and there are countless variations of this straightforward but satisfying dish. Different versions of this well-known meal can be found in nations including Brazil, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Korea, the United States, and the Caribbean.

Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2)

Reason Why We Need To Eat This Food

This food is quite healthy! Beans are rich in protein and iron and serve as a satisfying carbohydrate when combined with rice (beans are definitely the most nutritious of the pair). They also give a complete protein, which is necessary for our bodies to remain healthy. Veggies are a simple, wholesome addition to any meal. It is incredibly versatile and inexpensive. The outcome is a delicious and flavorful dish that is ideal for those times when you need to prepare a supper quickly.

How to Make Black Beans and Rice?

Since I can eat way more than my fair share of black bean rice, I like to double the recipeso we have leftovers for lunches. It works well in lunchboxes, or I like to make a quickburrito bowlwith the addition of some lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and cheese.

Ifound inspiration for this recipe on AllRecipes years ago, and I think it may be the first time I have ever cooked with cumin. I was instantly sold! If you haven’t yet cooked with cumin, just trust me that it makes the dish. It’s definitely worth buying a jar if you don’t already have some. I always include itin my Mexican recipes because I love its distinctive flavor, and it’s all thanks to these black beans and rice.

I hope you will love this recipe as much as we do!

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Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (3)

Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe

★★★★★5 from 1 review
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This simple side dish is versatile, inexpensive, and tasty. Serve with any meat, use it in burritos, or add diced chicken or sausage to make a one-dish meal.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed or minced
  • 1 cup white rice I like medium grain
  • 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 15 ounces can and seasoned black beans drained and rinsed
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 3 minutes, until onion is tender and starting to brown. Add garlic, and sauté one minute longer. Add uncooked rice, and stir and sauté 2 minutes.
  2. Add broth, salt, and cumin. Stir together, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes.
  3. Remove lid, stir in beans, and cover again. Turn off heat, and let stand for 3 minutes before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

Recipe adapted from AllRecipes.com.

  • Author: Andi Gleeson
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 25
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutritional Information

Beans are rich in protein, carbohydrates, micronutrients, and fiber. They also include folate, which is often lacking in American diets. The combination of grains and protein is filling and nutritious.

Rice (a grain) and beans (a legume) are each vegetarian and together make up a complete protein, providing each of the amino acids the body cannot make for itself. While rice is rich in starch and thus is a great source of energy, beans contain iron and a good amount of protein.

Per Serving:

Calories125 kcalCarbohydrates26 g
Protein2 gFat1 g
Saturated Fat1 gMonounsaturated Fat1 mg
Iron1 mgSodium6 mg
Potassium57 mgFiber1 g
Sugar1 gVitamin A4IU
Vitamin C1 mgCalcium18 mg

Variation and Substitution of Black Beans and Rice Recipe

This is a basic recipe for beans and rice, and you may modify it by adding a number of different ingredients.

Vegetables:A few examples of veggies to try including are chopped tomato, maize, red bell pepper, green chilies, and zucchini.

Beans:Black beans can be replaced with pinto beans.

Cheese:Consider adding a sprinkling of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, or Cotija cheese.

Spices:To the mixture, you can add more flavors like ground coriander, chili powder, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Health Benefits

For good reasons, rice and beans are a popular pairing in many different cultures all over the world. They both provide a cheap dish that is nutritious and rich in complex carbohydrates while being low in fat. Black beans and rice both have high protein content and at least 10% of each of the seven vitamins and minerals.

  • Gluten-free and naturally anti-inflammatory.
  • Enhances the health of the nervous system.
  • Great Source of Energy.
  • Constipation prevention due to diuretic and digestive properties.
  • Can Aid in Lowering Cancer Risks.
  • Stops obesity.
  • Regulates blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
  • Good Protein Source

What Do You Love About Black Beans and Rice?

It is easy to have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand that are needed for this recipe. This dinner recipe is easy to prepare. It tastes and looks good, that everyone likes, and that doesn’t take a ton of time in the kitchen.

  • It has great flavor.
  • Made in one pot
  • Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and soy-free
  • Uses inexpensive pantry staples
  • Seasoned to perfection with Mexican-inspired flavors like cumin and chili powder

How to Store Black Beans and Rice Food?

Serve:Black beans and rice can be kept at room temperature for about two hours before serving.

Store:This recipe is excellent for meal preparation because it keeps well as leftovers. Beans and rice can be kept in the fridge for up to five days if they aren’t eaten.

Re-Heat:Heat food slowly in a microwave or on the stovetop to reheat. Then cover the rice with a wet paper towel before heating it in the microwave. By doing this, moisture will be added, resulting in fluffy, soft rice after reheating.

Freeze:Black Beans and Rice can be frozen for up to three weeks in an airtight container or zip-top bag as long as it is properly sealed.

More Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipes For You

Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is eating black beans and rice healthy? ›

When people eat black beans with rice, their blood sugar levels tend to be lower than if they only ate rice. For people with diabetes, adding beans to a healthy diet can improve blood sugar control while reducing heart disease risk.

Do black beans need to be soaked before cooking? ›

You can cook black beans with or without soaking, but keep in mind that soaking beans ensures they'll cook faster and more evenly. It can also make them easier to digest by reducing some of the gas-producing indigestible carbohydrates, according to the Mayo Clinic.

What is the best way to eat black beans? ›

Best Black Bean Recipes

Season them with lime juice and zest, chili powder, oregano, and/or cilantro, and serve them as a side dish with Mexican or Latin American-inspired dishes like tacos or taquitos. Paired with some cilantro lime rice, they could also pass as a meal on their own!

Will I lose weight if I eat rice and beans everyday? ›

The high satiety factors of rice and beans can help you lose weight or stay at a healthy weight over time. Satiety measures how satisfying a food is to eat and how long it keeps you full. Satiety is vital in maintaining a healthy weight.

What happens if you don't rinse canned black beans? ›

"If you rinse your beans thoroughly, you will have a consistently flavored product, but if you do not rinse them, different amounts of salt will remain in the dish each time you cook it, and it will be hard to cook consistently," he says.

Should I rinse canned black beans before heating? ›

Many people wonder if they need to drain and rinse canned beans, and the answer is, “it depends.” It's fine to add the bean liquid to many recipes, but if you want to reduce the amount of sodium, it's best to drain and rinse canned beans.

Do canned black beans need to be cooked before eating? ›

Technically, canned black beans are already cooked, and you can use them right out of the can. Cooking canned black beans will make them taste even better. Here's how to cook beans from a can: Heat a small-sized saucepan on the stovetop over medium-high heat.

Why do you discard water after soaking beans? ›

Fun Fact: Discarding the soaking water and rinsing beans can help make cooked beans more digestible. Some people choose to save the soaking liquid because some nutrients are leeched from the beans into the liquid during soaking. We prefer to drain our soaking liquid but you can decide what works best for you.

How do you prevent gas from beans? ›

How do you stop beans from giving you gas? Soak dried beans for at least eight hours or overnight before cooking to reduce the number of indigestible sugars which cause gas. Rinse canned beans thoroughly and consider adding foods naturally high in digestive enzymes in your cooking to aid digestion.

Are canned black beans healthy? ›

Canned black beans' nutritional profile allows them to confer numerous health benefits. The nutrients in them may help you manage your weight and blood sugar levels, as well as lower your risk of heart disease ( 10 ).

What can I add to beans for flavor? ›

Those aromatics in the pot will revolutionize the beans' final flavor. The aromatics I tend to use are onions, carrots, garlic, and celery, and then heartier, woodsy herbs, like rosemary, sage, and thyme, which marry beautifully with the earthy-sweet flavor of beans.

How many times a week should you eat black beans? ›

What does “regular bean consumption” mean? The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommends eating about 3 cups of legumes—like pinto, kidney, or black beans—per week. If you eat about ½ cup of beans every day, you'll meet the weekly Dietary Guidelines for beans.

How do you make canned black beans easier to digest? ›

Pressure cooking beans is one of the easiest ways to make them more digestible. The high pressure breaks down sugars and starches, again serving as a form of 'pre-digestion'. You do not need to pre-soak your beans before cooking them in a pressure cooker, although I still recommend it.

Are black beans good for losing weight? ›

Canned black beans are a versatile, ready-to-use ingredient that you can use to boost the nutrient content of many dishes. They're a rich source of plant-based protein and fiber. This makes them a weight-loss-friendly food that may also help you manage blood sugar levels and lower your risk of heart disease.

Are beans and rice a complete meal? ›

Beans alone and rice alone both lack certain essential amino acids. If eaten together, however, each contributes what the other is missing to form a complete protein. Beans-and-rice dishes are highly valued for protein in areas where animal proteins are often hard to obtain and expensive.

Are black beans healthier than meat? ›

Ground Beef

Rather than clogging your innards with heaps of fat, the black bean provides a clean healthier alternative, but still with plenty of punch. With only a 5g difference in protein provided per 100g its clear that the beany benefits outweigh the cholesterol cons!

Are black beans good for gut health? ›

Black beans are a high-fiber, gut-healthy food.

Considering that most Americans (in fact, nine out of 10) don't meet their daily fiber needs, adding black beans into your diet is an easy way to help you reach the recommended 25 to 35 grams of fiber needed daily.

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