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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 so tasty and easy to make. I love that the ingredients are pantry items.
I didn’t have limes so I used Tajin, a chili lime seasoning. I had one helping with it and one without and the lime definitely ties everything together.
I’m so happy I found this recipe! It’s easy to make, nutrious, affordable and easily feeds 4 of us. We sometimes add grilled, chopped chicken for a heartier meal. We also serve ours in small sized tortilla shells, with optional additions like: shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. Such a wonderful and versatile recipe! Thank you for sharing it!
Made this last night. Hubby, 6 yo, 4 yo, and 22 month old all really enjoyed! I made as written except for the corn as I thought I had some but didn’t. I’ll definitely make again (and make sure I have corn on hand)! My meat loving hubby enjoyed very much which is rare in dishes without meat. The sour cream topping really puts it over the top. Love how easy and quick it is to make with minimal dishes wash after. Going in our regular rotation for sure! Thank you so much!
This is a wonderful recipe. Delicious. I had to make a few changes with diet limitations, but it was great! Thx
So good & so easy!
So fast and easy. It was delicious thanks for the recipe
What is Rotel? Thanks
I made made this twice! This is so good and you have plenty leftovers. Other recipes don’t call for the lime! Thats what makes this so good!
This was so good and easy to make! The ingredients come together perfectly and had a nice kick, but not to much to leave a sting. I will definitely be making this again.
I am going tomake crispy taco shells and see how it goes. The dish by itself is AMAZING 👌
I made this recipe twice already and my husband and I both love it! So tasty and easy to make. We like spicy food, so the second time I made it, I added a diced fresh jalapeno pepper to the onion and garlic. Topped the dish with avocado, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and hot sauce! Love it!!
Hey Julia!
I have made this recipe so many times this past week. With everything going on the world rice, beans, and canned goods are the only thing I can find. I throw in some tortilla chips and it is GOLD. Thanks for this!