Spanish Rice and Beans (Printable Version)

Hearty brown rice with black beans, salsa, and spices in one pot.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1/2 medium white or yellow onion, finely diced

→ Rice & Broth

03 - 2 cups long grain brown rice
04 - 3 cups vegetable broth

→ Flavoring

05 - 1 1/2 cups tomato-based salsa
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - Salt, to taste

→ Beans

09 - 1 (15-ounce) can black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Garnish (optional)

10 - Fresh chopped cilantro

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
02 - Add brown rice, vegetable broth, salsa, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
03 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for approximately 40 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is fully absorbed.
04 - Gently fold in drained and rinsed beans once rice is cooked. Taste and adjust salt seasoning as necessary.
05 - Remove from heat. Keep covered and let stand for at least 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
06 - Fluff rice with a fork. Sprinkle with fresh chopped cilantro if desired and serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It comes together with mostly pantry staples you probably already have on hand
  • The leftovers actually taste better the next day as the spices deepen
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while it simmers or the steam will escape and the rice will not cook evenly
  • The resting period is not optional since it allows the moisture to redistribute throughout the dish
03 -
  • Stir in a handful of green olives at the end for a briny surprise that everyone will ask about
  • Sauté diced jalapeño with the onion if your family loves some extra heat
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