Flavorful Mexican Rice and Beans Recipe for Busy Nights

Mexican rice and beans blend hearty flavors that transport you straight to a vibrant kitchen south of the border.

Comfort food doesn’t get more satisfying than this classic combination of wholesome ingredients.

Rich cultural traditions infuse every delicious bite with warmth and nostalgia.

These staple ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of textures and robust seasonings.

Nutrition meets incredible taste in this simple yet remarkable dish that fills your plate with pure happiness.

Families have cherished these harmonious flavors for generations, passing down recipes that connect loved ones through shared meals.

Culinary magic happens when humble ingredients reinvent into something extraordinary.

Why Rice and Beans Never Fail to Satisfy

• Savor Vibrant Flavor Explosion: The combination of cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper creates a bold, zesty taste that dances on your taste buds, delivering an authentic Mexican culinary experience.
• Quick and Effortless Weeknight Wonder: With just 30 minutes from start to finish, this one-pot meal saves precious time while providing a nutritious, satisfying dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality dish.
• Nutritional Powerhouse in a Bowl: Packed with protein-rich black beans, colorful bell peppers, and corn, this recipe offers a balanced meal that fuels your body with essential nutrients and keeps you energized throughout the evening.
• Meal Prep Champion: Easily stores in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it a perfect option for busy individuals who want delicious, home-cooked meals without daily cooking hassles.

Ingredients That Give This Dish Bold Flavor

• White Basmati Rice: A fragrant long-grain rice that provides a fluffy base for the dish, best washed thoroughly to remove excess starch.
• Black Beans, Pinto Beans: Protein-rich legumes that add creamy texture and earthy flavor, canned beans work well for convenience.

• Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Red Bell Pepper: Classic Mexican flavor base with sweet and aromatic characteristics, add depth and color to the dish.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides robust flavor foundation for the rice and beans.
• Frozen Corn Kernels: Sweet and tender vegetable that brings additional texture and subtle sweetness.

• Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Rich cooking and finishing oil that adds smooth flavor and helps bind ingredients.
• Strained Tomatoes: Provides tangy base and rich color, enhancing overall sauce consistency.
• Cumin, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper: Authentic Mexican spice blend that creates warm, slightly spicy profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and intensifying overall taste.

• Green Onion, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add bright, crisp finish and authentic Mexican touch.
• Lime or Lemon Juice: Optional citrus element that brings vibrant, tangy brightness.

Simmering the Best Mexican Rice and Beans

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather all ingredients and tools. Rinse rice thoroughly until water runs clear. Drain black beans completely. Set aside ingredients on clean kitchen towel.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetables

• Olive oil
• Onion
• Red bell pepper
• Green bell pepper
• Salt

Heat wide pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and vegetables. Cook until onions turn golden brown and edges caramelize. Sprinkle salt to enhance flavor and help vegetables release moisture.

Step 3: Build Flavor Foundation

• Minced garlic
• Strained tomatoes
• Ground cumin
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper

Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in remaining spices and tomatoes. Mix thoroughly to combine complex flavors.

Step 4: Create One-Pot Magic

• Washed rice
• Cooked black beans
• Corn kernels
• Vegetable broth

Add rice, beans, corn, and broth to pot. Stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly. Bring mixture to rolling boil, then reduce heat.

Step 5: Simmer and Cook

Cover pot with tight-fitting lid. Reduce heat to low. Cook for 15-18 minutes until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender. Avoid lifting lid during cooking process.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Herbs

• Chopped green onions
• Fresh cilantro
• Lemon juice
• Black pepper
• Olive oil

Remove from heat. Sprinkle herbs and drizzle olive oil. Fold ingredients gently to preserve rice texture.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Cover pot. Let dish rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve warm as complete meal or side dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes

Servings: 4 | Calories: 350 per serving

Pro Tips for Cooking Beans to Perfection

• Rinse Rice Thoroughly: Washing rice until water runs clear removes excess starch, preventing sticky and clumpy results.
• Choose Right Pan: Use a wide pot with a heavy bottom to ensure even heat distribution and prevent rice from burning.
• Control Heat Carefully: Maintain medium to medium-high heat when sautéing vegetables to achieve perfect caramelization without burning.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Add spices like cumin and paprika early to bloom their aromatics and deepen the overall taste profile.
• Rest Before Serving: Letting the dish sit covered for 5 minutes allows flavors to meld and rice to absorb remaining moisture, creating a more cohesive meal.

Storing and Reheating This Comfort Dish

• Refrigerate: Transfer cooled Mexican rice and beans into airtight containers, ensuring the lid is tightly sealed to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness.
• Cool Down: Allow the dish to reach room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and potential bacterial growth inside the container.
• Preserve Quality: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, storing them towards the back of the fridge where temperature remains most consistent.
• Reheat Safely: Warm portions in a microwave, adding a splash of vegetable broth to restore moisture and prevent rice from drying out. Stir occasionally during heating to distribute warmth evenly.
• Revive Texture: If rice seems slightly dry, sprinkle a few drops of water before reheating to help restore its original soft and fluffy consistency.

Great Pairings for Mexican Rice Bowls

• Spice Up with Margaritas: Pair this zesty Mexican rice and beans with a classic margarita. The citrusy, tequila-based cocktail perfectly complements the dish's spicy notes, cutting through the richness and refreshing your palate.
• Cool Down with Horchata: Balance the meal's heat with a creamy, sweet horchata. This traditional Mexican rice drink offers a smooth, cinnamon-infused counterpoint to the spicy and savory rice and beans.
• Beer Buddy Pairing: Grab a cold Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo Especial. The light, crisp beer cuts through the dish's robust flavors and provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty rice and beans.
• Fresh Salsa Sidekick: Serve with a bright, zingy fresh salsa on the side. The raw, tangy salsa adds an extra layer of freshness and acidity that elevates the entire dish, making each bite more exciting and dynamic.

Flavor Additions for This Classic Dish

• Spicy Southwest Fusion: Replace black beans with kidney beans and add diced jalapeños for extra heat. Incorporate chorizo sausage for a richer, spicier flavor profile that packs a punch.
• Vegetarian Quinoa Remix: Swap rice with quinoa for a protein-packed alternative. Add roasted sweet potatoes and use vegetable broth to create a nutrient-dense one-pot meal that's both filling and colorful.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Edition: Substitute black beans with chickpeas and add kalamata olives. Sprinkle feta cheese on top and use za'atar spice blend instead of traditional Mexican seasonings for a Mediterranean twist.
• Coconut Curry Crossover: Infuse the dish with coconut milk and green curry paste. Replace vegetable broth with coconut water and add turmeric for a vibrant, creamy version with Southeast Asian influences.

Mexican Rice and Beans Recipe

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4.8 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Mexican rice and beans bring comfort and zest to your dinner table. Balanced spices and rich flavors create a classic Latin American dish you’ll savor with genuine culinary delight.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups / 1 can (540 milliliters) cooked black beans or pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 cup / 200 grams white basmati rice (thoroughly washed)
• 1 cup / 125 grams frozen corn kernels (or fresh corn)
• 1 cup / 240 milliliters low-sodium vegetable broth (or as required)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 ½ cups / 200 grams onion, chopped
• 1 cup / 150 grams green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup / 150 grams red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tablespoons garlic, finely chopped
• 1 ½ cups / 100 grams green onion, chopped (garnish)
• ½ to ¾ cup / 20 to 30 grams cilantro (coriander leaves), chopped (garnish)

Spices, Sauce, and Extras:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ¾ cup / 175 milliliters strained tomatoes / passata / tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 ¾ teaspoons pink himalayan salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: lime or lemon juice to taste
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (drizzle)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously rinse rice under cold water until the liquid becomes transparent, allowing complete drainage of excess moisture. Separately, drain black beans and set aside.
2. Select a spacious cooking vessel with wide dimensions. Warm olive oil and introduce diced onions, vibrant bell peppers, sprinkling salt to enhance caramelization. Sauté at moderate temperature until vegetables develop golden-brown edges.
3. When onions reach a rich caramel tone, introduce minced garlic and toast briefly until aromatic. Incorporate strained tomatoes, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne, blending thoroughly to create a harmonious spice mixture.
4. Combine washed rice, prepared black beans, sweet corn kernels, additional seasoning, and vegetable broth into the aromatic base. Stir gently, allowing ingredients to integrate. Bring liquid to a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat.
5. Cover the pot, reducing temperature to low, and allow rice to steam and absorb flavors for approximately 15 minutes. Ensure rice remains tender yet maintains individual grain structure.
6. Remove lid, extinguish heat source. Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions and cilantro. Drizzle with zesty lemon juice and olive oil, folding ingredients delicately to preserve rice texture.
7. Allow dish to rest, covered, for five minutes, enabling flavors to meld. This vibrant preparation offers excellent storage potential, remaining delectable for 3-4 days when refrigerated.

Notes

• Guaranteed to become a family favorite with its bold, vibrant Mexican-inspired flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Meal prep champions will love how this one-pot wonder comes together quickly and stores beautifully for convenient weekday lunches.
• Budget-friendly ingredients transform simple pantry staples into a nutritious, protein-packed dish that satisfies hunger and delights senses.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 50g
• Fiber: 12g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 0mg