Description
A flavorful and nutritious Black Beans and Rice recipe featuring aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lime finish. This easy-to-make dish is perfect as a hearty main course or a tasty side, embodying classic Latin American flavors while being vegan and gluten-free.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Dry Ingredients & Spices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1½ cups long-grain white rice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquids & Canned Goods
- 3 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
- 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- Juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Sauté vegetables: In a large saucepan or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and diced green bell pepper, sautéing for 4–5 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Add spices and garlic: Stir in the minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for about 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant, making sure not to burn the garlic.
- Cook the rice: Add the long-grain white rice to the pan, stirring thoroughly to coat the grains with the oil and spices. This ensures even flavor distribution.
- Add broth and beans: Pour in 3 cups of low-sodium broth, then stir in the drained and rinsed black beans. Add a bay leaf to the mixture for subtle earthy flavor.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 18–20 minutes or until the rice is tender and all liquid has been absorbed.
- Finish and season: Remove the pan from heat, discard the bay leaf, and stir in the fresh lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro on top for a burst of color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the black beans and rice warm either as a satisfying main dish or alongside your favorite entrée. Consider adding avocado slices, salsa, or grilled proteins for variety.
Notes
- For extra richness, stir in a tablespoon of butter or a splash of coconut milk at the end of cooking.
- This dish works well as a main course or as a flavorful side dish.
- Top the dish with avocado, salsa, or grilled protein to make it more hearty and diverse.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat easily.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Latin American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
