Make this quick and easy black beans and rice recipe in one pot for a flavorful, budget-friendly meal perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Ready in under 35 minutes.
Author:purejoyalex
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:35 min
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Stovetop
Cuisine:Latin American
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 cups vegetable broth (or water)
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon lime juice (freshly squeezed)
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped cooked sausage or 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and smoked paprika to the pot. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Stir in the rinsed black beans, salt, and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the white rice, vegetable broth, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir everything together once.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot tightly, and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Do not lift the lid during this time.
Remove the pot from the heat. Let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
Remove and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh lime juice. Fluff the rice and beans gently with a fork.
Serve immediately as a main dish, topped with optional sausage or cilantro, or serve as a simple side dish.
Notes
For a heartier main dish, brown 1/2 cup of smoked sausage pieces before adding the onion and pepper mixture.
If you prefer a Cuban style, add a splash of apple cider vinegar with the lime juice at the end.
This recipe works well for meal prep; store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
If you are looking for alternatives to cooking from scratch, consider using **best meal delivery services** for inspiration, but this one-pot method keeps things simple.