Name: Spanish Rice & Beans
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Ingredients: 2 Tbsp avocado oil (or any cooking oil); 2 cups brown rice (see notes for white rice); 3 cups vegetable broth; 3/4 cup tomato sauce; 2 tsp onion flakes; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp cumin; 2 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp cayenne; 1/2 tsp dried cilantro; 2 cups red kidney beans; salt/pepper (to taste)

Close up of Spanish rice and beans in a sauce pan with a spoon.

Did you know that combining rice and beans makes a complete protein? On their own, they contain incomplete plant proteins. However, combined together, the amino acids are complete! A vegetarian match made in heaven.

Growing up in a hispanic family, rice and beans were a staple for us. We typically made Gallo Pinto multiple times a week and I still love making it to this day. Today, we’re mixing it up with savory Spanish flavors and a combination of easy-to-find pantry ingredients in this delicious Spanish Rice & Beans recipe!

Want to add more veggies to your meal? Try out this Mexican Cauliflower Rice recipe and add beans to it!

Rice and beans in a white bowl with a spoon.

What you need

There are lots of ways to make this recipe your own! Here’s what I used in this recipe and options for different variations.

Rice: Brown or white! I used brown rice, but see notes for adjusted cooking times if you choose to make this with white rice.
Beans: Red beans, pinto beans, or black beans.
Broth: Vegetable or chicken broth.
Tomato Sauce: Diced tomatoes also work great!
Dried Onion/Garlic: I used dried onion & garlic since it’s what I had on hand, but fresh is delicious as well.
Spices: Paprika, cumin, cayenne, dried cilantro, salt, and pepper!

Brown rice in vegetable broth. — 1. Add broth to the rice.

Brown rice with tomato sauce. — 1. Add broth to the rice.

Tips for making Spanish Rice & Beans

Make sure that the rice is fluffy and has soaked up all of the broth before adding in the other ingredients. If the rice is too dry, add more broth. If there’s still liquid left, remove the lid and allow some of the liquid to evaporate as you cook the rice a bit longer.
Once you’ve cooked the rice, quickly add in the rest of the ingredients, mix until evenly heated, and remove from heat.
This recipe can be prepped in advance and served throughout the week!
Feel free to make a big batch and freeze half of it for later.

What to serve with rice & beans

This recipe works great as a stand alone meal! However, you can also serve it mixed with chicken or beef. Another option is to serve it as a side dish along with quesadillas, tacos, and or a fajitas!

Close up of Spanish rice and beans with a spoon.

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Angled shot of Spanish rice & beans in a sauce pan with a wooden spoon.

5 from 20 votes

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