Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2024)

This black beans and rice recipe is cilantro lime rice and black beans, all cooked together to make a savory and flavorful side dish. Black beans and rice are perfect when paired with grilled meats or served alongside Mexican or Cuban food.

Rice is the ultimate easy side dish, whether it’s Mexican rice, rice pilaf or this black beans and rice dish, it’s sure to be a big hit!

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (1)

My local Cuban restaurant serves up the best version of black beans and rice, and this is my take on the classic dish. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, and is packed with plenty of bold flavors. You can serve this as a side dish, wrap it up in a burrito for a fabulous Mexican style meal, or eat it as a meatless main course.

This recipe is a perfect side dish for my favorite Mexican and Cuban dishes like a taco bake, albondigas soup, chicken fajita foil packets and a Cuban sandwich. Make this rice with your favorite entree!

Table of Contents

  • Black Bean And Rice Ingredients
  • How Do You Make Black Beans And Rice?
  • Tips For Black Beans And Rice
  • Quick Tip
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Black Beans and Rice Variations
  • More Great Side Dish Recipes
  • Love This Recipe?
  • Black Beans and Rice Recipe

Black Bean And Rice Ingredients

To make this delicious black beans and rice dish you will need olive oil, onion, garlic, white rice, cumin, chicken broth, black beans, lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper.

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2)

How Do You Make Black Beans And Rice?

This dish starts with garlic and onions, which are sauteed in a little olive oil until tender. The rice goes into the pot next, along with chicken broth and seasonings. Once the rice is cooked through, canned black beans are stirred into the mix. The final step is a generous amount of lime juice and chopped cilantro. Fluff your rice with a fork, then serve and enjoy!

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (3)

Tips For Black Beans And Rice

  • I recommend using a long grain white rice for this dish. I typically use standard long grain rice or basmati rice. Short grain rice tends to be stickier which doesn’t work as well in this preparation.
  • I use canned black beans for this recipe because it cuts the prep time down to just 10 minutes. If you prefer, you can cook your own black beans from dried beans.
  • Make sure to drain and rinse your beans before you add them to the rice.
  • You can make this dish vegan by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
  • I know that there are many people who don’t enjoy cilantro. You can substitute green onions for cilantro if you prefer.

Quick Tip

Fresh lime juice is necessary for this recipe; don’t use the stuff that comes in a bottle.

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

Do I need to cook canned black beans?

You do not need to cook canned black beans, they are cooked and edible in the can. However, you will want to drain and rinse black beans. Warming the beans, like in this recipe, makes them taste better.

What are the benefits of eating rice and beans together?

Beans and rice have complementary proteins that when eaten together provide all the essential amino acids making them complete proteins. Beans are also high in fiber and low in fat. They are a good option for part of a nutritious meal.

How long do black beans and rice stay good in the fridge?

Black beans and rice is perfect for leftovers. You can store your beans in the rice in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat the mixture in the microwave or over low heat on the stove top.

Follow Me

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (5)

Black Beans and Rice Variations

This is a basic recipe for beans and rice, you can add a variety of other ingredients to make your own flavor combination.

  • Vegetables: Try adding vegetables such as diced tomato, corn kernels, red bell pepper, green chiles or diced zucchini.
  • Cheese: Try adding a sprinkle of cotija, cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Spices: You can add other seasonings to the mix such as chili powder, crushed chili flakes or ground coriander or add a little of my taco seasoning or fajita seasoning.
  • Beans: You can use pinto beans instead of black beans. If you want creamy pinto beans, try my Mexican pinto beans and rice!

I make this beans and rice almost every week, my kids adore it! It’s one of those staple recipes that goes well with so many different cuisines.

More Great Side Dish Recipes

Love This Recipe?

Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

4.98 from 34 votes

Black Beans and Rice

Print Pin Save

AuthorSara Welch

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (11)

This black beans and rice recipe is cilantro lime rice and black beans, all cooked together to make a savory and flavorful side dish. Black beans and rice are perfect when paired with grilled meats or served alongside Mexican or Cuban food.

Time

Prep Time10 minutes minutes

Cook Time20 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Cuban

Serves 8

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup onion finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice uncooked
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 15 ounce cans black beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1/3 cup cilantro leaves chopped
  • cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender.

  • Add the rice and cook for 1-2 minutes.

  • Add the cumin, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring the pot to a boil.

  • Cover the pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is tender.

  • Stir the beans into the rice. Cover the pot and let sit off the heat for 3-5 minutes or until beans are warmed through.

  • Stir in the lime juice and cilantro. Fluff the rice with a fork. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.

  • Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges, then serve.

Notes

  1. I recommend using a long grain white rice for this dish. I typically use standard long grain rice or basmati rice. Short grain rice tends to be stickier which doesn’t work as well in this preparation.
  2. I use canned black beans for this recipe because it cuts the prep time down to just 10 minutes. If you prefer, you can cook your own black beans from dried beans.
  3. Make sure to drain and rinse your black beans before you add them to the rice.
  4. Fresh lime juice is necessary for this recipe; don’t use the stuff that comes in a bottle.

Nutrition

Calories: 153kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 325mg | Potassium: 129mg | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 8.4mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Did you make this recipe?Tag @dinneratthezoo on Instagram and hashtag it #dinneratthezoo

Originally Posted September 25, 2023

CategoriesDinner Gluten Free Mexican Food Side Dishes

Hello! I’m Sara!

Learn more about Sara

Related Posts

Side Dishes

Bacon Wrapped Potatoes

Side Dishes

Broccoli Casserole

Side Dishes

Fried Cabbage with Bacon

Baking

Irish Soda Bread Recipe

Free Bonus

Black Beans and Rice Recipe (17)
Black Beans and Rice Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best beans for beans and rice? ›

Though red beans and rice is the best-known version of this dish, it is frequently made with other types of beans, and you can do the same if you'd like. Pink beans, white cannellini beans, even black beans will all taste great with the same basic technique.

Is rice and beans 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.

Is it healthy to eat beans and rice everyday? ›

As I was getting my Masters degree in nutrition I started to see how traditional food combinations like rice and beans have been supporting people's health for thousands of years. So yes, rice and beans is healthy. In fact, there are some unique nutrition benefits to this food combination!

Are rice and black beans healthy? ›

Both rice and beans provide a healthy amount of complex carbs. Plus the fibre from the beans and the veggies also keeps you feeling full and is great for overall health. The boost of fibre is also great for heart and digestive health.

How do you make beans and rice taste better? ›

Spices – A mix of smoked paprika (or regular paprika, but smoked is SO good), cumin, chili powder, cayenne (optional), salt, and pepper make this rice and beans dish taste amazing. Add fresh cilantro to really make it come alive!

What do you put in beans and rice? ›

Garlic, onions, cayenne pepper and possibly a little cumin. The nice thing about any beans and rice dish is how versatile they are, and how easy it is to flavor with minimal ingredients and spices. I like things on the spicier side, so I would also add a small red pepper cut up very finely and simmered with the rice.

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 is the healthiest bean you can eat? ›

  1. Chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein. ...
  2. Lentils. Lentils are a great source of vegetarian protein and can be a good addition to soups and stews. ...
  3. Peas. Peas are also a type of legume. ...
  4. Kidney beans. ...
  5. Black beans. ...
  6. Soybeans. ...
  7. Pinto beans. ...
  8. Navy beans.

What's healthier rice or beans? ›

Campos and her colleagues found that people who increased daily servings of white rice over time had higher blood pressure and higher levels of sugar and harmful fats in their blood—warning signs for type 2 diabetes. Those who ate more servings of beans than rice greatly reduced their risk.

Are canned beans as healthy as dried beans? ›

Canned beans are a versatile processed food and offer a nutritional profile similar to that of dried beans. They are an excellent source of fiber, plant-based protein, and other essential nutrients, such as folate and potassium.

What does Dave Ramsey mean by beans and rice? ›

Dave Ramsey - I've always used the metaphor of a beans and rice food budget. That means to cut costs and keep track of what you're spending in this major category. Some attention and intentionality goes a LONG way toward freeing up money to make HUGE progress toward paying off debt.

Are canned black beans healthy? ›

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.

Can you eat too many black beans? ›

Black beans can be high in carbohydrates, so they may not be ideal for people following a low-carb diet. They also contain some difficult-to-digest compounds that can cause gas and intestinal discomfort if you eat too many.

Can I live on rice and beans? ›

Yes, you can eat rice and beans every day. Many people in third world countries do. Rice and beans are complementary vegetables that together provide all the necessary amino acids and minerals to live on, although either alone will be deficient in some. A 50/50 mix is ideal.

Which beans are the best beans to eat? ›

  1. Chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein. ...
  2. Lentils. Lentils are a great source of vegetarian protein and can be a good addition to soups and stews. ...
  3. Peas. Peas are also a type of legume. ...
  4. Kidney beans. ...
  5. Black beans. ...
  6. Soybeans. ...
  7. Pinto beans. ...
  8. Navy beans.

What kind of beans are used in Chinese food? ›

Just as Indian vegetarian food depends a lot on lentils and pulses, the Chinese pantry cannot do without beans. Red beans, green beans, soybeans, black beans, speckled beans - even beans with "eyebrows".

What are the 4 types of white beans? ›

White beans are a group of legumes with white casings and starchy insides which include navy beans, cannellini beans, “great northern” beans, and lima beans. Navy beans, great northern beans, and cannellini beans are grown from the Phaseolus vulgaris plant, while lima beans are grown on the Phaseolus lunatus plant.

What are the best tasting beans to eat? ›

America's favorite bean is pinto beans, according to the U.S. Dry Beans Council, often used to make refried beans. Navy beans, Great Northern beans, red kidney beans and black beans round out the rest of the top five.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Ouida Strosin DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6611

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Ouida Strosin DO

Birthday: 1995-04-27

Address: Suite 927 930 Kilback Radial, Candidaville, TN 87795

Phone: +8561498978366

Job: Legacy Manufacturing Specialist

Hobby: Singing, Mountain biking, Water sports, Water sports, Taxidermy, Polo, Pet

Introduction: My name is Ouida Strosin DO, I am a precious, combative, spotless, modern, spotless, beautiful, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.