Black Beans Rice is a spicy and incredibly delicious, nutty flavored vegetarian Mexican rice recipe that is a frequent dish at our dinner table.
This is also called mexican rice, spanish rice, red rice, arroz rojo and can be served with your favorite enchiladas, rice burrito bowl or as one complete meal. This dish is not only rich in carbohydrates and protein but also tastes better than the one you get in restaurants.
The secret to get a nutty flavor is to saute the rice in butter or oil till it develops some color even before you cook. I have used my family's favorite Valentina Mexican Hot Sauce Salsa Picante in the recipe. For my family, this rice dish is incomplete without hot sauce. We first tasted this sauce at Mexican restaurant and just loved the flavor and I knew I had to buy it. It's not only tastier but also low in sodium and inexpensive. I always have at least two bottles in my fridge.
Some of my favorite and most popular Mexican Food Recipes
- Enchilada Style Burritos - Most Popular on my blog. Don't miss to check out!!
- Mexican Street corn - Elote
- Guacamole
- Churros
- Tortillas Homemade
- Peach Salsa
Preparation time : 30 minutes
Serves : 4
Ingredients for Black Beans Rice or Mexican Rice Or Spanish Rice
Black beans - 1 cup (canned or dried)
Rice - 1 cup
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Bay leaf - 1
Onion finely chopped - 1
Garlic cloves chopped - 5
Tomato chopped - 1
Cayenne powder / Red chile powder - ½ tsp (Vary as per your taste)
Hot sauce - 3 tablespoon (adjust to taste)
Jalapeno or Green chilies chopped - 1
Cilantro / Coriander leaves chopped - ¼ cup
Olive oil or Vegetable oil - 1 tablespoon ( Non-vegans can use butter)
Salt - to taste
Steps to prepare Black Beans Rice or Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice
Step I
- Soak the black beans in water for 3 hours adding little baking soda and drain them. Adding soda makes it cook faster.
- Cook the black beans in pan or pressure cooker for one whistle. Add salt while cooking.
- If you are using canned beans ignore the step I.
Step II
- In a pan on medium to low flame add butter or oil. Add one cup of rice and saute till it develops some color and you get nutty aroma. I have used jasmine rice.
- Now add 1 ½ cup of water, salt. Bring it to boil, cover and simmer it for 10 minutes or until rice is cooked.
Step III
- In another pan, drizzle oil. Add the bay leaf, cumin seeds, onion and garlic cloves and saute till onion becomes translucent.
- Now add the tomatoes, cayenne powder and saute till tomato becomes soft.
- Next add the hot sauce, salt to taste, jalapeno and mix well.
- Finally add in the cooked rice, black beans and cilantro and mix till everything is combined.
- Black Beans Rice is now ready. Serve and enjoy.
Tip:
- Always taste the sauce and use it as desired.
- Vary the spiciness as desired. We love spicy version. Adjust to your family's liking.
- If you using canned beans buy low sodium one. wash and drain before you use.
- Water to rice ratio may vary depending on the rice used.
Detailed Recipe for Black Beans Rice or Mexican Rice or Spanish Rice
Recipe card
Black Beans Rice | Mexican Rice | Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- 1 cup Black beans (canned or dried)
- Salt optional
- 1 cup Rice
- 1 tablespoon Oil optional, use butter or olive oil
- Salt optional, a pinch
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 medium Onion , finely chopped
- 3 to 5 cloves Garlic , chopped
- 1 medium Tomato , chopped
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne powder or Red chile powder (optional, vary per your taste)
- 3 tablespoon Hot sauce , adjust to taste
- 1 piece Jalapeno , chopped (optional)
- ¼ cup Cilantro or Coriander leaves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil or Vegetable oil (Non-vegans can use butter)
- Salt , to taste
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda , while soaking black beans
Instructions
Step 1
- Soak the black beans in water for 3 hours adding little baking soda and drain them. Adding soda makes it cook faster.1 cup Black beans, 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- Cook the black beans in pan or pressure cooker for one whistle. Add salt while cooking.Salt
- If you are using canned beans ignore Step 1.
Step 2
- In a pan on medium to low flame, add butter or oil. Add one cup of rice and saute till it develops some color and get a nutty aroma. I have used jasmine rice.1 cup Rice, 1 tablespoon Oil
- Now add 1.5 cups of water and salt. Bring it to a boil, cover and simmer it for 10 to 12 minutes or until rice is cooked.Salt
Step 3
- In another pan, drizzle oil. Add the bay leaf, cumin seeds, onion and garlic cloves and saute till the onion becomes translucent.1 teaspoon Cumin seeds, 1 Bay leaf, 1 medium Onion, 1 tablespoon Olive oil, 3 to 5 cloves Garlic
- Now add the tomatoes, cayenne powder and saute till tomato becomes soft.1 medium Tomato, ½ teaspoon Cayenne powder
- Next add the hot sauce, salt to taste, jalapeno and mix well.3 tablespoon Hot sauce, 1 piece Jalapeno
- Finally, add in the cooked rice (from Step 2), black beans (From Step 1) and cilantro and mix till everything is combined.Salt, ¼ cup Cilantro
- Black Beans Rice is now ready. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Always taste the sauce and use it as desired.
- Vary the spiciness as desired. We love spicy version. Adjust to your family's liking.
- If you are using canned beans, buy low sodium one. Wash and drain before you use.
- Water to rice ratio may vary depending on the rice used.
Nutrition
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Mahy
Black beans and rice... does it get any better than this? Love how delicious AND easy this recipe is!
Natalie
I made this recipe last week and served it with grilled chicken. It was delicous. Everyone in my family loved this rice. This recipe is definitely on my list to make it again. Thanks
Suja MD
Outstanding recipe thanks so much! tasted so much good!
Dijana
Amazing rice recipe! I love black beans, and I'm always looking for new ways to use them! This is such a wonderful and flavorful dish!
Swathi
This black bean rice sounds wholesome protein rich dish. I need to try this.