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Black Beans and Rice is the perfect budget-friendly meal for busy days! You will love how easy and quick this Mexican-inspired one-pot recipe is to make.
We love easy Dinner Recipes like Chicken Mushroom Pasta and Instant Pot Chili so this recipe is a winner because it takes even less time and is made in one pot!
Beans and Rice is one of my favorite weeknight meals (just like my Taco Lasagna)! Ready in less than 30 min, cooked in one pot, and topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro, this simple combo of healthy black beans and filling rice is a great budget meal that is not boring.
My secret to making a simple Black Beans and Rice recipe a family favorite is adding a can of Rotel, corn, and serving it with fun toppings. This helps to make it a well-rounded meal that is done in 30 minutes and inexpensive.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Budget-friendly: This recipe uses budget-friendly pantry staples
- Easy to make: Made in one pot in less than 30 minutes
- Everyone loves it: Add your favorite toppings
How to make this recipe
- Saute onion in oil for 4 minutes.
- Add rice and garlic, and saute for 2 more minutes.
- Add the black beans, Rotel, corn, and spices.
- Pour in chicken broth, bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
- Add lime juice and serve garnished with cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
Serve it with
This black beans and rice recipe makes a great main dish but you can also serve it as a side with any meat or fish.
- Rustic Bread or Garlic Bread
- Homemade Salsa
- Add some Rotisserie Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Green Salad
- Taco Style Dinner: Tortillas/Tacos, Sour Cream, Salsa, Lettuce, etc.
Toppings for Black Beans and Rice
Here are a few topping ideas that everyone loves in our house:
- Guacamole
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
- Salsa
- Hot Sauce
- Freshly chopped cilantro
Recipe FAQ
Any long-grain white rice will work in this recipe, for example, Basmati Rice, American long-grain white rice, and Jasmine rice.
If you want to use brown rice instead of white rice note that brown rice cooks a little slower than white rice and you will also need to add a bit more broth or water.
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 and by adding corn and tomatoes you also get a serving of vegetables.
Storage and Freezing
Storing: Put in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 2 days. Leftovers taste great wrapped up in a tortilla!
Freezing: Put in an airtight container without toppings and freeze for up to 2 months. Please note that garlic intensifies in the freezer, so if you plan to freeze it, reduce the amount of garlic in it.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Chili
- Honey Garlic Shrimp with Broccoli
- Saffron Shrimp Risotto
Black Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth, or vegetable broth
- 15 oz can black beans, drained
- 10 oz can Rotel
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
- 2 tsp lime juice
To serve
- Chopped Cilantro
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheese
Instructions
- In a stockpot over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and saute for 4 minutes. Add the rice and garlic, stir to coat the rice and saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth, black beans, Rotel, corn, salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika, bring to a simmer, cover and lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 20-25 minutes, until rice is cooked.
- Add lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with cilantro, sour cream, and shredded cheese.
This was a fast and delicious meal, I served cornbread with it
I followed your recipe exact and it was amazing!!! I added a tiny bit of taco seasoning and tamed Jalapeños. YUM!!!
What kind of rice?
This was so yummy!! It was a smash at the mexican bbq. There wasn’t any left!!
This was amazing. I made it for dinner a couple of days ago and had leftovers f it r lunch today. Definitely
I made this before so I’m excited to do it again. I cook it in my rice cooker using brown rice and I add chicken Italian sausage. It is definitely a keeper!
Hi! I think this is on my menu for this week based on the fantastic review and definitely in my budget but I was wondering if you had suggestions for making in an instant pot? Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe twice and love it. It’s a nice change up from other bean and rice recipes. Definitely my go to recipe from now on…Thsnk Youfor sharing!