Spanish Rice and Beans makes use of pantry staples to create a nutritious, flavorful one pot meal. Vegetarian, gluten free, and so easy to make, this rice and beans recipe will grow to be a staple.
Why You’ll Love this Rice and Beans Recipe
You possibly can’t beat a brilliant easy, family-friendly recipe that leans on pantry staples.
This one additionally comes collectively in one pot, and creates one of the best leftovers.
Each children and adults will love the flavors of this Spanish-inspired rice dish.
I really like topping every bowl with a drizzle of parsley oil, which incorporates a mixture of contemporary parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil. Whereas completely non-compulsory, it provides vibrant, contemporary taste to show this pantry meal into one thing really distinctive.
- Alternatively, you possibly can garnish every portion with sliced avocado or a crispy fried egg.
- Or, use the rice and beans as a filling for burritos, tacos, or enchiladas!
The Elements:
Consider this rice and beans recipe extra as a blueprint relatively than steadfast set of directions.
General, it’s extraordinarily versatile, which suggests there are myriad substitutions. Right here’s what you want:
- White rice: It’s greatest to make use of a long-grain white rice right here, equivalent to jasmine or basmati.
- You may as well use brown rice, nonetheless it does require a longer prepare dinner time.
- Beans: Oh the glory of the common-or-garden canned bean. The recipe requires kidney beans, nonetheless be at liberty to make use of pinto beans as an alternative. Canned beans are budget-friendly, and an amazing supply of protein and fiber.
- Aromatics: Onion and garlic type the inspiration of this dish. For additional taste, you too can toss in celery, bell pepper, or carrots.
- Hearth-roasted canned tomatoes: One other one among my go-to canned items, fire-roasted tomatoes add smoky, umami depth. Alternatively, you should use a jar of your favourite salsa.
- Spices: Spanish meals is thought for delivering some severe taste. On this recipe, I counsel chili powder, paprika, oregano, and cayenne for an additional dose of spice.
- Notice: if making the recipe for teenagers or these with low spice tolerance, omit the cayenne.
- Olives: I really like ending rice and beans with a vibrant, briny kick. Search for a Spanish inexperienced olive, equivalent to Manzanilla.
- Parsley: For contemporary, herby prime notes. Alternatively, you should use cilantro.
- Lemon Juice: To spherical out every chunk with brightness and acidity.
The right way to Make Spanish Rice and Beans:
General, this dish is fairly arms off. Some easy slicing and dicing is required on the forefront, however a lot of the magic occurs because the combination simmers. Right here’s the way it’s finished:
Step 1: Prepare dinner the Aromatics
Begin by heating some olive oil in a big skillet with a fitted prime over medium warmth. As soon as scorching, add the onion and prepare dinner 5 to six minutes, till mushy. Add the garlic in the course of the last minute.
Step 2: Bloom the Spices
Cooking spices in scorching oil helps unlock their full taste potential. This course of is named blooming, and it’s a recreation altering for constructing taste.
This solely takes 1 to 2 minutes–any longer and also you run the chance of the burning the spices.
Step 3: Toast the Rice
Stir within the rice and let it prepare dinner for about 2 minutes, which helps deepen its taste.
The rice will start turning translucent and scent tremendous fragrant.
Step 4: Add the Tomatoes, Beans, and Broth
Add tomatoes, beans, and broth.
Simmer the combination for about 25 minutes, or till the liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
Lastly, scatter the olives overtop and drizzle with parsley oil, if desired!
FAQs and Knowledgeable Suggestions
Is Consuming Rice and Beans Wholesome?
Rice and beans provide fiber, B nutritional vitamins, and vital minerals like zinc and selenium.
This mixture can also be an excellent supply of protein, which makes it filling and supportive of blood sugar ranges.
Can Rice and Beans be a Meal?
Rice and beans is as full of a meal on it’s personal as you will get. It is because the rice and beans present complementary amino acids.
On their very own, beans and rice are incomplete proteins, that means they lack a few of the important amino acids. Collectively, nonetheless, they complement each other and supply all 9 important amino acids.
- So basically, this mix is equal to animal protein by way of protein high quality.
If we need to REALLY break down the small print right here, most grains are poor in lysine, whereas beans are of the few plant meals wealthy in lysine.
On the flip facet, many beans present solely small quantities of the amino acid methionine, which is wealthy in most grains.
Serving Strategies:
Whereas this Spanish Rice and Beans recipe is mighty satisfying by itself, listed below are some topping and facet options:
- With Avocado: High every serving with sliced avocado for additional heart-healthy fat.
- As a Burrito Filling: This combination is ideal for filling burritos and tacos! Simply add a creamy topping, equivalent to guacamole or bitter cream.
- Topped with a Fried Egg: I really like having fun with leftovers for brunch topped with a crispy-edged, soft-yolk fried egg.
- With Shrimp or Rooster: High with sautéed shrimp or rooster to make it extra filling.
The right way to Retailer and Reheat:
- Retailer: Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
- Reheat: Rewarm particular person parts within the microwave, stopping to stir each 30 seconds, till scorching. Alternatively, you possibly can heat rice and beans in a skillet over medium warmth with a splash of water to assist rehydrate the grains.
- Freeze: Switch to a freezer-safe ziptop bag and lay flat within the freezer for as much as 3 months.
- When able to reheat, let thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Should you attempt give this recipe a attempt, remember to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your lovely creations. Additionally, comply with alongside on Facebook and Pinterest for the most recent recipe updates!
Extra Simple Rice Recipes:
30 Minute Broccoli Fried Rice with Turmeric-Tahini Sauce
Wild Rice and Tacky Broccoli Casserole
30 Minute Golden Rice Pilaf
- Warmth oil in a big skillet with a fitted lid over medium. Add onion; prepare dinner 5 minutes, till softened. Add garlic, paprika, salt, chili powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne; prepare dinner 2 minutes, stirring typically, till fragrant. Stir in rice; prepare dinner 2 minutes, till barely translucent. Stir in tomatoes, beans, and broth (or water). Convey combination to a boil, scale back to medium-low, and simmer, lined, till liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 minutes.
- In the meantime, put together parsley oil (if utilizing) by combining parsley, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil in a small bowl; stir effectively.
- Scatter olives over Spanish Beans and Rice and drizzle with parsley oil.
- Retailer: Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
- Reheat: Rewarm particular person parts within the microwave, stopping to stir each 30 seconds, till scorching. Alternatively, you possibly can heat rice and beans in a skillet over medium warmth with a splash of water to assist rehydrate the grains.
- Freeze: Switch to a freezer-safe zip-top bag and lay flat within the freezer for as much as 3 months.
- When able to reheat, let thaw within the fridge in a single day.
Serving: 1cup | Energy: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 12g | Fats: 4g | Saturated Fats: 1g | Sodium: 690mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 6g
I calculate these values by hand to make sure accuracy, nonetheless count on as much as a ten% variable relying on meals manufacturers.