Black beans and rice has become a comfort food favorite in our house. This recipe is great as a side dish, main course, and even for breakfast. We have found it's great to make even without the ham to have as a nice vegetarian dish or meatless Monday. We like to use black beans because of the flavor they add (we use them for refried beans and bean dip as well!!) but you can really use any bean you like for this dish.
It's so surprising how much flavor is in this black bean and rice dish and how easy it is to make. We kept the recipe simple by using canned beans and leftover rice. The dish comes together in less than 15 minutes. Adding habanero adds a nice spice but isn't necessary. Did you know, additional nutrients are added to your diet when eating beans and rice together?
How to make Black Beans and Rice
We love eating black beans and rice for the flavor and nutritional value, it’s a real win-win! Rice and Beans are healthy, easy to make, and affordable. It doesn’t get better than that! This versatile dish is tasty and authentic, not to mention, all of the nutritional benefits of a healthy carb and protein mixture.
Cook the rice according to the package. We make ours in an instant pot or, if we have leftover rice we use that to make this dish even faster.
Get everything ready before starting. Chop an onion, measure the spices, and chop the ham. Oh, open the cans of beans! 😀
Heat some olive oil in a sauté pan for about 30 seconds. Add the onions and cook until they start to soften. Add the beans, ham, and spices to the onions. The spices used are Adobo, Oregano, Cumin, Sazón spice packet, and Chicken Bouillon. Coat the onions beans and ham with the spices. If you want the black beans and rice spicy add the habanero pepper
Add one cup of water to the mixture and bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce cooks down by about half.
Stir in the cooked rice. Cook until the rice is completely coated in the sauce and the sauce is nice and thick. This is the final step for the black beans and rice.
Top with chopped cilantro, parsley, or green onions to finish off this black bean and rice dish. Heck, it's great with no toppings!
Serve and ENJOY the Black Bean and Rice Dish!!
Black Beans and Rice with Ham
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Rice
- 30 Ounces Black Beans 2 Cans
- 1 Pound Ham Optional
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Large Onion
- 1 Tablespoon Adobo
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Sazón Spice Mix Natural and complete - No Salt
- ½ Tablespoon Chicken Bouillon
- 1 Habanero Optional
- 1 Cup Cilantro Optional
Instructions
- Start Rice. If not using leftover rice cook the rice according to the package.Chop the onion and cube the ham1 Large Onion, 2 Cups Rice
- Measure spices and mix them together1 Tablespoon Adobo, 1 teaspoon Oregano, 1 teaspoon Cumin, 1 Tablespoon Sazón Spice Mix , ½ Tablespoon Chicken Bouillon
- Heat olive oil for about 30 seconds in saute pan. Add the chopped onion. Cook onions until soft for about 3 to 5 minutes1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Large Onion
- Stir in the spices
- Add the black beans. We sometimes add 3 cans of black beans to make the dish last even longer!1 Pound Ham, 30 Ounces Black Beans
- Stir in the ham and chopped habanero (Habanero is totally optional!)1 Habanero
- Add 1 cup of water and stir
- Bring to a boil then turn down to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes until the sauce starts to cook down
- Stir in the cooked rice
- Continue to cook, stirring often, until the sauce is thick. About 3 minutes
- Chop cilantro or parsley for topping.1 Cup Cilantro
- Serve with chopped cilantro. ENJOY!!!!
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