Black Beans and Brown Rice combined with fresh herbs and spices. Serve as a side dish or a main. This recipe is a great use of pantry staples.
When using leftover rice, this dish takes just 10 minutes to whip together.
Why make this recipe
Black Beans and Rice - this is a truly versatile dish. It's a side dish perfect served with any meal. It's a salad perfect served at room temperature. It's a main dish perfect served for lunch or a light dinner. It's really whatever you want it to be.
Recently I made a huge pot of beans using my Instant Pot. Those Instant Pot Black Beans turned out perfectly. I used some of those beans in this dish. You could also use a can of black beans, just rinse the beans before using.
I also used some leftover brown rice that I had from the night before. This dish is perfect for using up leftovers.
I made this dish using brown rice. However, you could also use white rice if you'd prefer.
Tips on making
- Use cooked and cooled rice
- Use black beans - homemade or canned. If using canned black beans, rinse and drain beans first. This helps remove the sauce that comes with canned beans.
- Use fresh chopped cilantro. If you aren't a fan of cilantro, you could use fresh chopped parsley.
- Use chopped green onions. You could also use chopped red onions, although they do have a stronger taste.
- Use fresh squeezed lime juice. Store bought lime juice does not have the same taste as fresh squeezed.
- Use approximately 2 tablespoons of lime juice which comes from 1 large lime.
- If you wanted a bit of heat, add half of a finely chopped jalapeno!
More recipes using black beans
- Black Bean Taco Cups - Appetizer sized tacos cups
- Spaghetti Squash with Black Beans - Black beans baked right inside the squash boats
- Black Bean Burrito Bowls - Lettuce, rice, black beans, chicken and guacamole
- Quinoa Enchilada Bake - Vegetarian dish filled with quinoa and black beans
- Black Bean and Corn Salad - With a jalapeno lime dressing!
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious side dishes!
Black Beans and Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup black beans (cooked)
- 2 cups brown rice (cooked)
- 2 tablespoons green onions (chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (fresh squeezed)
- 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a bowl. Mix gently so all ingredients are combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until serving
- Best served at room temperature.
Video
Notes
- Use cooked and cooled rice
- Use black beans - homemade or canned. If using canned black beans, rinse and drain beans first. This helps remove the sauce that comes with canned beans.
- Use fresh chopped cilantro. If you aren't a fan of cilantro, you could use fresh chopped parsley.
- Use chopped green onions. You could also use chopped red onions, although they do have a stronger taste.
- Use fresh squeezed lime juice. Store bought lime juice does not have the same taste as fresh squeezed.
- Use approximately 2 tablespoons of lime juice which comes from 1 large lime.
- If you wanted a bit of heat, add half of a finely chopped jalapeno!
Harold Burton says
I’m a teenager who is absolutly in love with cooking, and I saw this on your youtube channel one day and I decided to make it for my parents. I really like the info you share, it’s really helpful. The reaction of my parents when they tasted it was so amazing. thank you for sharing this kind of info with all of us.
Kathy says
Thanks, Harold. Glad everyone enjoyed and good for you for jumping into cooking!
Kelly | Foodtasia says
Kathy, these black beans and rice look so good! I like how they're chilled and served at room temperature, more along the lines of a salad than a hot dish. Very tasty!
Kathy says
Thanks, Kelly! I'm sure it could be served hot, but I really like it a room temp.
David @ Spiced says
You are totally right about black beans + rice being a versatile side dish. I could see this going next to a piece of grilled chicken or even steak. Or I could also see this one as the filling for a burrito or quesadilla. Yum! The fresh lime juice + cilantro in this recipe is making my mouth water. I'm thinking a cold Corona will need to be involved as well! 🙂
Nicoletta says
This is my kind of light lunch, also to bring to work. Love that you can make it ahead. It has wonderful flavors and it is so good for you.!
Fred G says
Another great combination.
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
An easy, tasty side with so much flavor Kathy! And black beans are one of our favorites!
Kathy says
They are one of my favorites too!