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Black Beans and Rice Recipe

4.9 from 58 reviews

A flavorful and wholesome Black Beans and Rice recipe featuring aromatic sautéed onions and garlic, seasoned with cumin, and brightened with fresh lime juice. This easy-to-make dish combines fluffy long-grain rice with hearty black beans simmered in vegetable broth for a delicious, nutritious meal suitable for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Seasoning

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

Rice

  • 1 cup long-grain rice (jasmine or basmati), rinsed
  • Water (for boiling rice, amount per rice package instructions)
  • Salt to taste

Aromatics

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

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: Chop the onion finely and mince the garlic cloves to prepare the aromatics for sautéing.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add black beans and simmer: Pour in the drained black beans, vegetable broth, and ground cumin into the skillet with the aromatics. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer gently for 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
  4. Cook the rice: While the beans simmer, bring water to a boil in a separate pot according to the rice package instructions. Add the rinsed rice and a pinch of salt, cover, and cook until the rice is fluffy and tender, usually about 15 minutes depending on rice type.
  5. Combine rice and beans: Once the rice is cooked, gently fold it into the black bean mixture in the skillet. Be careful not to mash the beans; you want to keep their shape and texture intact.
  6. Finish with lime juice: Squeeze the fresh lime juice over the combined beans and rice just before serving to add a fresh, zesty brightness to the dish.

Notes

  • You can substitute the vegetable broth with chicken broth if not vegetarian.
  • For extra flavor, add chopped cilantro or diced tomatoes when combining the rice and beans.
  • Jasmine or basmati rice provides a nice fragrance, but any long-grain rice can be used.
  • To reduce sodium, rinse canned beans thoroughly before use.
  • This dish pairs well with avocado slices or a dollop of sour cream.

Keywords: black beans, rice, cumin, vegetarian, Latin American, easy recipe, healthy, one-pot meals