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
Black Beans Rice is spicy and incredibly delicious, nutty flavored Mexican rice recipe that is a frequent dish at our dinner table.. This rice recipe is vegan and gluten free.
- 1 cup Black beans (canned or dried)
- 1 cup Rice
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 3 to 5 Garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 Tomato, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne powder or Red chile powder (vary per your taste) (optional)
- 3 tablespoon Hot sauce, adjust to taste
- 1 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
-
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.
-
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 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 to 12 minutes or until rice is cooked.
-
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.
- 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.
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cheri
Hi Kushi, I could eat this all day long, beans and rice are my favorite.
Kushi
Thank you Cheri 🙂
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
I love the combination of rice and black beans. Sounds delicious!
Kushi
Thank you Dawn 🙂
Deepa - Veg Indian Cooking
Looks so delicious! Love the rice and black beans combination. Yum!
Very healthy and excellent share Kushi.
Kushi
Thank you Deepa 🙂
marudhuskitchen
Simple one bowl meal ..perfect lunch box recipe
Thanks for sharing
Kushi
Thank you Vani 🙂
Nava K
I see the flavours and the hot sauce definitely is a must in my house too.
Kushi
Thank you Nava 🙂
Helene D'Souza | Masala Herb
wow this looks like a tempting new recipe discovery. Looking forward to make this at home soon. Thanks for sharing!
Kushi
Thank you Helene 🙂
demeter | beaming baker
I love Spanish rice, Kushi! Yours especially looks delish. There's something about adding black beans to rice that makes it heartier and tastier. 🙂 Thanks for sharing another awesome recipe!
Kushi
Thnak you dear 🙂
David @ Spiced
I love black beans, and I love a good rice side dish...so I'm thinking this combo here would be a huge hit in our house. Looks delicious (as always), Kushi! 🙂
Kushi
Thank you David 🙂
Smitha
This bean rice bowl would be my lunch tommorrow. I love cooking such variety rice
Kushi
Thank you Smitha 🙂
Priya
When I eat rice ,I didnt think about my weight or diet I love rice variations.. Love this protein rich dish and will be in my weekend list
Kushi
Thank you Priya 🙂
tonya conteh
Team hot sauce here! This looks amazing, Kushi!
Kushi
Thank you Tonya 🙂
[email protected]'s Recipes
A very delicious rice dish, Kushi. I love the add of black beans for the extra protein.
Kushi
Thank you Angie 🙂
Rahul @samosastreet.com
I love Rajma chawal, loved the mexican version, will def try
Kushi
Thank you Rahul 🙂
marcie
I love spicy food but sadly my family doesn't. That means more of this for me!
Kushi
Thank you Marcie 🙂 You can vary the ingredients as per your family's taste 🙂
Nammi
Hi! Your delicious rice dish caught my eye! Looks so inviting
Kushi
Thank you Nammi 🙂
Nish Kitchen
I love Mexican rice. This version with black beans looks incredibly delicious and healthy. So colorful, too!
Kushi
Thank you dear 🙂
Katerina
I love Mexican and this rice screams my name!
Kushi
Thank you Katerina 🙂
Nalini Somayaji
Yummy black bean rice ...lovely dish for one potmeal....I am loving it..
Kushi
Thank you Nalini 🙂
Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
Love Spanish rice, Kushi. And this one here looks so classic, colorful and full of yummy flavors. YUMMY!
Kushi
Thank you Anu 🙂
John/Kitchen Riffs
I love rice dishes like this! And make them often. In fact, I make something rather similar to this. Yours looks terrific -- really good job with it. Thanks!
Kushi
Thank you John 🙂
srividhya
wow.. hot and spicy mexican rice. Love it
Kushi
Thank you Sri 🙂
Monica
Love this! I could make a meal out of it and I want to stuff it into a burrito and eat it all different ways. It's great to learn how it's done. Looks perfectly cooked!
Kushi
Thank you Monica 🙂
Psychic Nest
Hi Kushi,
I totally love this recipe but I am not a super fan of spicy food. Do you think that 1 tablespoon hot sauce will be OK instead of 3? Great photos and dish, thank you! 🙂
Zaria
Kushi
Oh ya!Just taste the sauce and adjust as per your taste. You can also vary the other ingredients as per your taste. Thank you for the lovely comment. Do let me know how it turned out 🙂
Psychic Nest
Thank you for the tip Kushi! I am so sensitive that spicy food makes my eyes watery and my nose running. I will try to make the recipe during the weekend. Keep it up with the great dishes! 🙂
Zaria
Kushi
Oh oki 🙂 Thank you so much once again 🙂
Anu Yalo
Definitely a nutritious meals!!
Kushi
Thank you Anu 🙂
[email protected] Flavour Diary
yummy one pot meal
Kushi
Thank you Nisa 🙂
TERRY
Your recipe sounds delicious and healthy. Will be making it soon and probably become a staple in our home for lunchboxes or side dish with mexican dinners. Thanks for posting1
Kushi
Thank you Terry. Do let me know how it turned out 🙂
Petra
This was delicious, but I had to make a few changes. The rice dried up quickly, so I wondered if it should be covered while cooking. Had to add a splash of water and put a lid on. We also cut the cayenne in half and didn't have a jalapeno handy and we still found it delicious, but muy caliente!
Kushi
Thank you so much. Yes you have to cover and simmer the rice once it comes to boil.I have edited the doc. We love spicy food at home but you can always vary it as per your taste 🙂
Sylvia Mckee
I have made this dish several times and love it! I added green peppers and used New Mexico chilies. WOW, it was really delish. Thx for a great receipe. I served with red sauce enchiladas. I'm from New mexico and this reminds me of home. I'm making it tonight as a side with ham. Yummmmm
Sylvia
I have made this dish several times and love it! I added green peppers and used New Mexico chilies. WOW, it was really delish. Thx for a great receipe. I served with red sauce enchiladas. I'm from New mexico and this reminds me of home. I'm making it tonight as a side with ham. Yummmmm
Charla
Looks amazing and very much reminds me of Jamaican rice and peas.
Pam
What a hearty and flavorful sounding dish. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us.
Alisa Infanti
I am so excited! I have been looking for this recipe for a bit and this is the best one I have tried yet!
Angela
This looks like a great side dish. I am always looking for great recipes like this. 🙂
Helen
This looks spicy and delicious! What a terrific and nutritious recipe 🙂
Jenny
Love it because of its versatility. Can be a side dish or you can braise some meat or sauté veggies like cauliflower onions, cauliflower, mushrooms, etc and combine for a “burrito bowl” entree. Top it off with avocado to make it even better!
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
This just might be my all-time favorite side dish! LOVE
Irina
I have already made a few kinds of rice side recipes from your blog, and I loved it. This black beans rice recipe is going to my collection. I will be making it soon.
Bhawana
Black beans rice surely makes a wonderfully tasty combination. I can eat it with any combination,
Rika Livingston
My kids love beans and rice. This looks incredibly easy to make. Yum!
Saif
This Mexican Black Bean rice looks gorgeous. I tried this in a Mexican Restaurant here and it taste delicious. Definitely going to make one in my kitchen.
Alexandra
We loved this dish! Such great flavours, and so simple to prepare. Served with some fresh tomato salsa and enchiladas - such a wonderful meal.
Nart at Cooking with Nart
I don't normally eat black beans much but I can't resist something that looks this good!
veenaazmanov
This is definitely a one pot meal and surely healthier option too. I love such unique and perfect recipes.
Pam
What a fantastic and hearty dish. I can't wait to try this.
Toni
I loved how tasty this is!! So good!
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.