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Black Beans and Rice Recipe

4.7 from 88 reviews

A flavorful and easy-to-make black beans and rice recipe featuring aromatic sautéed onions and garlic, seasoned with cumin, and finished with a fresh squeeze of lime juice. This dish combines tender black beans with fluffy long-grain rice, perfect as a wholesome vegetarian main or side dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Seasonings

  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • Juice of 1 lime

Rice

  • 1 cup long-grain rice (jasmine or basmati), rinsed
  • Water as needed for cooking rice
  • Salt, a pinch (to taste)

Aromatics

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves to have them ready for sautéing.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, ensuring not to burn the garlic.
  3. Add Black Beans and Simmer: Pour the drained and rinsed black beans into the skillet along with the vegetable broth and ground cumin. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Let the mixture simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  4. Cook the Rice: In a separate pot, bring water to boil according to the rice package instructions (usually about 2 cups of water per cup of rice). Add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt, cover, and cook until the rice is fluffy and water is absorbed, approximately 15-20 minutes.
  5. Combine Rice and Beans: Once the rice is cooked, gently fold it into the skillet with the black bean mixture. Take care not to mash the beans to keep their texture intact, mixing just enough to blend the two components.
  6. Finish with Lime Juice: Just before serving, squeeze fresh lime juice over the combined rice and beans to add a bright, zesty finish that enhances the flavors of the dish.

Notes

  • For added depth, you can sauté a diced bell pepper along with the onion.
  • Use low-sodium broth to control the salt content in the dish.
  • This recipe serves well as a vegetarian main or a hearty side dish.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
  • Adding fresh cilantro or a dash of hot sauce can add extra flavor and freshness.

Keywords: black beans and rice, vegetarian, easy recipe, cumin, lime, stovetop cooking, quick dinner, Latin American cuisine