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Easy Flavor-Packed One-Pot Rice and Beans Recipe for Quick Healthy Meals

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A quick, filling, and delicious one-pot rice and beans recipe that uses simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to create a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups long-grain white rice (270 g)
  • 1 can black beans (15 oz / 425 g), drained and rinsed
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder
  • 3 cups vegetable broth (720 ml)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh lime juice from 1 lime
  • A small handful fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the bell pepper if using. Rinse the canned black beans under cold water, then set aside. This should take about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat the pot: Place your pot over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Let it warm until shimmering but not smoking, about 1-2 minutes.
  3. Sauté aromatics: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent and just starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and ½ teaspoon chili powder. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  5. Add rice: Pour in the 1 ½ cups of rice, stirring to coat every grain in the oil and spices. Toast the rice for about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add broth and beans: Pour in 3 cups of vegetable broth and add the rinsed black beans. Stir gently, scraping any browned bits from the bottom. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  7. Bring to a boil: Increase heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid.
  8. Check the rice: After 18 minutes, remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for another 5 minutes to finish steaming.
  9. Fluff and finish: Remove the lid and gently fluff the rice and beans with a fork. Stir in fresh lime juice and sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top. Stir to combine.
  10. Serve immediately, optionally with sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream.

Notes

Use a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to prevent burning. Rinse rice well to remove excess starch. Keep the lid closed during cooking to trap steam. If rice is still hard after cooking, add a splash of hot water, cover, and cook a few more minutes. Adjust salt after adding lime juice for balanced flavor. Substitute brown rice by increasing cooking time to about 50 minutes and using more broth. Beans can be swapped with pinto or kidney beans. For gluten-free, verify broth ingredients.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, rice and beans, quick meal, healthy, easy recipe, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bitematrix.com/easy-flavor-packed-one-pot-rice-and-beans-recipe-for-quick-healthy-meals/