Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe-One Pot, 30 Minutes
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Black Beans and Rice is a go-to side dish that’s simple to make, flavorful and comes together in under 30 minutes. Made with pantry staple ingredients like canned black beans, long grain rice, onion, garlic, and cumin. This is a side dish that you will come back to over and over, perfect for Taco Night or use it as a base for a delicious Burrito Bowl.
The rice cooks right in the flavorful black bean liquid and some water, which helps give it extra flavor without requiring a long list of crazy ingredients. This is easy to customized with your favorite toppings, or it is delicious as is.
Black Beans and Rice
Do you ever get stumped with those meal time questions of what am I going to serve as a side dish? I’m telling you, this is a daily struggle! This easy Rice and Black Beans Recipe is the perfect answer. It’s pretty quick, hands off and everyone will devour it.
Why I Think You Will Love This Black Beans and Rice Recipe
- One Pot Wonder – one pan to me means less dishes to do at the end of the meal.
- Fast & Easy – just saute, get the rice going and let it cook.
- Versatile – great as a side, served with my chicken chimichangas, ground beef tacos, or even top with grilled chicken for a simple meal.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need for this simple side dish recipe magic to happen:
- olive oil– used to saute the onion and garlic
- onion and garlic– diced yellow onion and garlic provide the flavor base for this recipe.
- cumin– adds a warm, earthy flavor to this easy black bean recipe
- rice– this recipe used long grain white rice for the best texture
- black beans– canned black beans are quick and easy to use in this recipe, adding some of the liquid from the can help add a lot of flavor.
- water– combined with the liquid from the black beans to help cook the rice
*Optional Add-ins and Variations: fresh cilantro, lime juice, diced tomatoes, or a dash of hot sauce for a kick!
Need a protein suggestion to go with it? Try these Oven Baked Chicken Thighs or this simple Cast Iron Flank Steak!
How to make Black Beans and Rice
Get out your one pot and let’s walk through the simple steps to make this Black Bean and Rice Recipe:
- Saute the Onion-in a 2 quart pan heat the olive oil over medium high heat and add in the diced onion. Cook and sitr the onion until softened about 2-3 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Season and Add Rice-Add in the cumin and long grain rice to the pan with the cooked onion and garlic, stir to combine.
- Pour in the Black Beans-Measure out 1/2 cup of the liquid from the can of black beans and add 1 1/2 cups of water to the pan with the rice. Add in the drained black beans to the pan.
- Cook-Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and leave the lid on for 5 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Use it as a base for Chicken Burrito Bowls
- Serve with Ground Beef Tacos or alongside these easy Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas
- Use in your weekly meal prep for quick meals
You can also turn it into an easy meal by serving the rice and beans in a bowl topped with avocado, salsa, shredded cheese, cilantro, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
For meal prep, portion the cooled black beans and rice into airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat with a small splash of water to help loosen the rice.
How to Store Leftovers
What to do with any leftovers of black beans and rice:
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of water in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Black beans and rice provide carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Serving with a lean protein and adding veggies can make this a complete meal.
This recipe is written for long grain white rice. Brown rice requires a different cooking time and amount of liquid, so I would not suggest using brown rice without changing the recipe.
Yes! Black beans and rice can be made and stored in an air tight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop with a splash of water until heated through.
Yes, allow the black beans and rice to cool completely before placing into an freezer air tight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or in the microwave.
More Easy Family Friendly Recipes to Try
Black Beans and Rice Recipe
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If your fam loved this dish as much as mine does, leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below or snap a photo and tag @feedingyourfam on Instagram. I love seeing what you’re cooking up in your kitchen!
Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup yellow onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 1/2 cup black bean liquid
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 15.25 ounce can of black beans
Instructions
- In a 3 quart pan over medium high heat, cook and stir diced onion in olive oil for 2-3 minutes, until tender.
- Add in garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Season with cumin.
- Add in rice, black bean liquid (from the can of black beans) and water. Stir in black beans, drained of any remaining liquid.
- Bring to a boil, cover with lid and then turn the heat down to low so the liquid is just simmering. Cook for 20 minutes, remove from the heat and let the pan sit with the lid on for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are just an estimate of the ingredients listed and are provided as a courtesy.
- Additions: You can also add diced green chiles, sliced jalapenos or even drained corn to this recipe.
- This recipe does not add additional salt as the salt in the can of black beans is usually enough, feel free to add salt as need to taste.
Nutrition
Black Beans and Rice is such a simple and staple side dish. This Black Beans and Rice Recipe is simply seasoned with onion, garlic and cumin.
I love this recipe. I just made it and it turned out so delicious
This is one of our fam favorites too! It is so easy! So happy you like it! Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for the no fuss recipe! So simple with the few pantry staples I had.
This was a very simple recipe and it came out great!