Quick Black Beans and Mexican Rice Medley
There are so many layers of flavors and textures going in every single bite of this medley with Mexican-inspired ingredients that’s so easy and ready in 30 minutes. There’s rice, hearty black beans, crunchy bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, corn, a bit of heat from a serrano chile, along with plenty of cilantro, cumin, garlic, and red onions for flavor galore. The recipe is naturally vegan and gluten-free although you’d never guess it because it has enough heartiness to keep you satisfied. I almost used the word ‘Salad’ rather than Medley, but because you can serve it warm, I didn’t want to confuse anyone. You can also serve this recipe at room temp or chilled, more like a salad. It makes a fairly big batch and the leftovers are great to have on hand in upcoming days.
Ingredients for Mexican Rice and Black Beans
This recipe for Mexican black beans and rice is very flexible, so feel free to swap out any ingredients you don’t like or don’t have on hand. Here’s what I used in this recipe with notations for substitutions or additions in parentheses:
Red onion (yellow or white are okay)GarlicRice and quinoa (all rice or all quinoa okay)Black beans (garbanzo, pinto, kidney, or your favorite beans are okay)Corn (I used canned; fresh, frozen, or grilled would be great)Tomatoes (I used Roma, cherry, grape, heirloom are fine)Yellow bell pepper (another color may be substituted)Serrano chile (adds heat but for flavoring this big of a batch of food, I felt it was necessary; try jalapeno for less heat, or omit if you’re heat-adverse)Cumin (I used ample amounts for flavor, adjust to taste)Salt and pepperCilantro Lime juice (brightens the overall dish)
Ingredient Substitutions
Aside from the ingredients I used, you can also include or swap in:
AvocadoZucchiniYellow squashMushroomsGreen onionsLeftover chicken (bonus if it’s grilled chicken or even poached chicken!)Or just about anything in your produce drawer that needs to be used or you enjoy the flavor of!
How to Make Mexican Rice and Black Beans
Black beans and Mexican rice is one of the simplest recipes you can make! It’s a quick, one-skillet recipe that comes together in about 30 minutes. Here’s an overview of the recipe steps:
Can the Quinoa Be Substituted?
Yes! I’ve never made any dish with rice and quinoa but I found a packet of grains that said “rice and quinoa”, and ingredients are random and in short supply at times depending on the supermarket, so I rolled with it. If you want to just use rice, or just use quinoa, go for it.
What to Serve with Mexican Rice and Black Beans
Serve the Mexican-inspired rice, quinoa, and beans as an entree or as a side dish. Some recipes that pair well with this easy skillet dish include:
Salsa Verde Chicken EnchiladasTomatillo Avocado SalsaChicken Mole EnchiladasBaked Beef Taquitos Smothered Beef BurritosSheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas Baked Tortilla Chips
More Mexican-Inspired Rice Recipes:
Very Veggie Rice and Beans — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and amps up rice and beans with an abundance of vegetables!! Healthy, Mexican-inspired food that tastes like comfort food and keeps you satisfied for hours!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! 15-Minute Tex-Mex Ground Beef and Rice Skillet — An EASY comfort food recipe with just 5 main ingredients made with everyday staples!! Juicy beef, tender rice, and just the right amount of kick from the salsa make this an automatic FAMILY FAVORITE!! 15-Minute Salsa Verde Chicken, Rice, and Beans — Fast, EASY, one skillet recipe!! Between the salsa verde, lime juice, and cilantro mixed with juicy chicken, rice, and beans, you’ll be hooked! Perfect for busy weeknights and meal prepping!! Loaded Vegetarian Burritos — HEALTHY Mexican comfort food that’s loaded with black beans, rice, and more before being topped with salsa and CHEESE!! 15-Minute Mexican Rice and Beans Skillet with Sausage — A FAST and EASY recipe that’s loaded with Mexican-inspired flavors and ingredients!! Break out of your chicken rut with this FLAVORFUL dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights!! One-Pot Cheesy Mexican Ground Beef and Rice — All your favorite burrito ingredients minus the wrap!! Made in one skillet, ready in 30 minutes, and so EASY! Hearty comfort food that’s packed with bold Mexican flavors!!
