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Home » Recipes » Spanish Side Dishes

Beans and Rice Recipe

Published: May 23, 2023 Modified: May 25, 2023 by Isabel

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My Spanish Rice and Beans Recipe is here to prove how flavorful and satisfying a simple side of rice with beans can be! Loaded with seasonings and topped with little Kalamata olive flavor bombs, this recipe will change how you see beans and rice.

a closeup of a plate of beans and rice
Jump to:
  • Spanish Rice and Beans
  • Rice with Beans Ingredients
  • How to Make Rice and Beans
  • Spanish Beans and Rice Tips
  • Rice and Beans Recipes FAQ
  • Rice Side Dishes
  • 📌 Pin it for later!
  • Rice and Beans Recipe

Spanish Rice and Beans

There's no dish quite as comforting, well-rounded, and budget-friendly as good old-fashioned beans and rice. Packed with protein and tender, satisfying rice, it's the perfect side dish- or even the perfect main course!

And when it comes to beans and rice, there's nothing quite like this classic recipe! Filled with savory seasonings and cooked in tomatoes and broth, this super-flavorful side dish is the perfect pairing for meat, veggies, or to pile up on bread.

And it's easy, too. No complicated steps here; give the veggies a little saute, stir in the rice, cook it in broth and top it with olives, and it's all done. It's stunning, flavorful, and so easy, you'll be making it over and over again.

Make sure to try it with my Ropa Vieja Recipe for the ultimate meal!

a big plate of Spanish beans and rice with a bunch of cilantro and sliced olives

Rice with Beans Ingredients

  • Yellow onion
  • Garlic
  • Paprika
  • Sea salt
  • Chili powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Pepper
  • Long-grain white rice
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Kidney beans
  • Chicken broth
  • Kalamata olives
  • Olive oil
all the ingredients for rice and beans in separate bowls with labels

How to Make Rice and Beans

  1. Heat the oil in a large skillet to medium heat, then add in the onions and saute for 5 minutes, until soft. Then add in the garlic, paprika, salt, chili powder, oregano, and pepper, and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently.the onions and garlic sauteed until browned in a pot
  2. Stir in the rice and keep stirring until the rice is slightly translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
    the seasoned beans and onions with toasted rice
  3. Stir in the tomatoes, beans, and broth, then bring the mixture to a boil.
    the tomatoes and beans added to the pot of rice
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover, then let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the moisture is absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
    the tomatoes and broth added to the pot of bean rice
  5. Top with sliced kalamata olives, serve, and enjoy!
    the finished dish in a pot

Spanish Beans and Rice Tips

  • These Spanish rice and beans are incredible on their own, but to truly shine, serve them with Cuban ropa vieja!
  • You don't need to rinse the rice for this recipe; the added starch will just blend into the broth.
  • Not a fan of cooking rice on the stove? Prep the veggies and rice, then transfer them to a rice cooker before adding the broth. It'll cook up perfectly!
  • Make sure to buy pitted olives! Buying pitted whole olives is best, as they preserve their texture best if they're packaged before being sliced.

Rice and Beans Recipes FAQ

What goes good with rice and beans?

Rice and beans is a great base for additions! Try serving beans and rice with sauteed leafy greens and toasted bread, or making it into a big English breakfast with garlic mushrooms and roasted tomatoes.

Is rice and beans enough for a meal?

Because of the protein in beans and the carbs in rice, rice and beans makes for a very satisfying meal on its own! It's filling, delicious, and super easy, so try it out as a main course when you're not in the mood for a larger dinner. If you want to add more protein, try shredded chicken, pork, or beef, or sliced sausage.

What is traditionally served with red beans and rice?

Traditionally, red beans and rice are served with a Cuban beef stew called ropa vieja. This stew of shredded steak has tons of flavor and is the perfect thick meat stew to spoon over rice and beans for a hearty meal!

Rice Side Dishes

  • Homemade Rice-a-Roni
  • Cilantro Lime Rice
  • Instant Pot Rice
  • Tumeric Cauliflower Rice
  • ...Or change it up with ultra-easy Instant Pot Quinoa!
a big serving plate filled with Spanish rice and beans

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a closeup of a plate of beans and rice with cilantro garnish

Rice and Beans Recipe

Isabel Laessig
My Spanish Beans and Rice recipe is a satisfying and easy side dish you will love - and it makes a great main course, too! Cooks in just 35 minutes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Total Time 45 minutes mins
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Spanish
Servings 6 servings
Calories 364 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet
  • 1 wooden spoon or rubber spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 Tablespoons Olive oil
  • ½ Yellow onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon Sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon Chili powder
  • 1½ teaspoons Oregano
  • 1 teaspoon Pepper
  • 2 cups Long grain white rice
  • 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 15.5 oz canned kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 3 cups Chicken broth
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives pitted and sliced

Instructions
 

  • Heat the oil in a large skillet to medium heat, then add in ½ Yellow onion and saute for 5 minutes, until soft. Then add in 2 cloves Garlic, 1 Tablespoon Paprika, 1 Tablespoon Sea salt, 1 teaspoon Chili powder, 1½ teaspoons Oregano, and 1 teaspoon Pepper, and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently.
    2 Tablespoons Olive oil, ½ Yellow onion, 2 cloves Garlic, 1 Tablespoon Paprika, 1 Tablespoon Sea salt, 1 teaspoon Chili powder, 1½ teaspoons Oregano, 1 teaspoon Pepper
    the onions and garlic sauteed until browned in a pot
  • Stir in 2 cups Long grain white rice and keep stirring until the rice is slightly translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
    2 cups Long grain white rice
    the seasoned beans and onions with toasted rice
  • Stir in the 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15.5 oz canned kidney beans, and 3 cups Chicken broth, then bring the mixture to a boil.
    14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 15.5 oz canned kidney beans, 3 cups Chicken broth
    the tomatoes and beans added to the pot of rice
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and cover, then let simmer for 20 minutes, or until the moisture is absorbed and the rice is tender and fluffy.
    the tomatoes and broth added to the pot of bean rice
  • Top with sliced ¼ cup Kalamata olives, serve, and enjoy!
    ¼ cup Kalamata olives
    the finished dish in a pot

Notes

    • You don't need to rinse the rice for this recipe; the added starch will just blend into the broth.
    • Not a fan of cooking rice on the stove? Prep the veggies and rice, then transfer them to a rice cooker before adding the broth. It'll cook up perfect!
    • Make sure to buy pitted olives! Buying pitted whole olives is best, as they preserve their texture best if they're packaged before being sliced.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 364kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 10gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 1982mgPotassium: 475mgFiber: 7gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 789IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 3mg
Keyword how to make rice and beans, rice and beans, rice and beans recipe, Spanish rice and beans
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Isabel

Isabel Laessig, better known as Family Foodie and the founder of the Sunday Supper Movement, is passionate about food and family! She is the author of the Boujee Steak Cookbook, and hosts Family Foodie Friday on WTSP's Great Day Tampa Bay along with other television appearances to spread her mission of bringing Sunday Supper back around the family table in every home.

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Hello! I'm Isabel, aka Family Foodie. I want to be your go-to source for every side dish recipe you need!

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