Rice & Beans Recipe

Prep vegetables

Peel and finely dice the onion. Peel and grate or finely dice the carrot to measure 1 cup. Trim and finely dice the celery to measure 1 cup. Mince the garlic.

Sauté aromatics

Heat 2 tbs vegetable oil in a large saucepan or medium pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrot, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 6–8 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant.

Add spices and tomato

Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Cook 30 seconds to bloom the spices. Pour in 1.5 cups tomato sauce and 3 cups broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the bay leaf.

Simmer with beans

Add the drained and rinsed 3 cups kidney beans to the pot. Season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp sugar if desired. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 15–20 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Adjust seasoning and finish

Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove and discard the bay leaf. If you prefer a smoother sauce, mash a small portion of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon and stir. Stir in chopped cilantro or parsley (2 tbs) if using. Keep warm until serving.

Rinse rice

Rinse 2 cups long-grain white rice under cold water until the runoff is mostly clear to remove excess starch.

Cook rice

In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 4 cups water, 1 tbs butter or oil, and 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15 minutes without lifting the lid.

Rest and fluff

After 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5–10 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff rice with a fork before serving.

Portion the rice onto plates or into bowls and ladle the warm tomato-marinated kidney beans over or beside the rice. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Serve immediately.