Description
This classic Black Beans and Rice recipe combines tender black beans with fluffy long grain rice, enhanced by aromatic sofrito and flavorful seasonings. Perfect as a hearty side dish or a satisfying main, it embodies comforting Caribbean and Latin American flavors in an easy, one-pot meal ready in just 45 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup sofrito (frozen or fresh)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups long grain rice (Carolina preferred)
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 packet Sazon with achiote (or 1/2 tablespoon homemade sazon)
- 1 large vegetable or chicken bouillon cube (such as Maggi)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Sauté Sofrito: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup sofrito and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Beans and Rice: Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans along with 2 cups of long grain rice. Mix to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in 3 1/2 cups of water, add the packet of Sazon seasoning, 1 large vegetable or chicken bouillon cube, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir thoroughly to distribute flavors.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a full boil. Allow it to cook until the liquid is nearly absorbed and just skims the top of the rice.
- Simmer: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot tightly with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes to cook the rice fully and blend flavors.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for 5-8 minutes so the rice can finish steaming. Fluff rice with a fork before serving to separate the grains.
Notes
- Sofrito can be prepared ahead of time and frozen for convenience.
- You can substitute Sazon seasoning with homemade blends using ground coriander, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika if needed.
- Adjust salt to taste depending on bouillon saltiness.
- For a vegetarian version, use vegetable bouillon instead of chicken bouillon cubes.
- Ensure rice is rinsed before cooking to prevent clumping and achieve fluffy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Caribbean, Latin American
