Basic Vegetarian Black Beans and Rice

By
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett
Jolinda Hackett has written five books about plant-based cooking and has developed hundreds of vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/8/22
Basic Vegetarian Black Beans and Rice

The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
215 Calories
4g Fat
37g Carbs
9g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 215
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 892mg 39%
Total Carbohydrate 37g 13%
Dietary Fiber 9g 34%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 26mg 129%
Calcium 74mg 6%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 568mg 12%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Cuban black beans and rice is a healthy, high-protein, quick and easy vegetarian and vegan meal. Popular in the Caribbean and in Cuban cuisine, black beans and rice can also be a staple of your vegetarian diet. Add any of your favorite seasonings to this basic vegetarian recipe for black beans and rice, spiced with peppers and hot sauce.

If you have leftover rice on hand, cooking up the beans takes literally just five minutes so you can have a healthy vegetarian entree or side dish ready to go super fast. 

This recipe appears on the website of Bush's Beans, reprinted with permission.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

  • 3/4 cups finely chopped onion

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper

  • 1 cup diced tomatoes

  • 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained, liquid reserved

  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme

  • 1 teaspoon garlic salt

  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

  • 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

  • 2 cups cooked white rice, or brown rice

  • Lime wedges, for optional garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Basic Vegetarian Black Beans and Rice ingredients

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil.

    oil in a pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  3. Cook onion and green pepper until crisp-tender.

    onions and peppers in a pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  4. Stir in tomatoes, beans, thyme, and garlic salt. Cook 3 minutes.

    Stir in tomatoes, beans, thyme, and garlic salt to the onion and pepper mixture in the pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  5. Add vinegar, pepper sauce, and reserved juices, and continue to cook 5 minutes.

    Add vinegar, pepper sauce, and reserved juices to the bean mixture in the pan

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni

  6. Serve black beans over rice. Garnish with a lime wedge (optional).

    Basic Vegetarian Black Beans and Rice in a bowl

    The Spruce / Kristina Vanni