Home » Gluten-Free » 30 Minute Black Beans and Lime Rice
Published: · Modified: by Marlena Luna · This post may contain affiliate links. · 27 Comments
Black Beans and Lime Rice makes a quick, 30-minute dinner or side. Black beans are seasoned to perfection while the brown rice gets a generous dose of freshly squeezed lime juice. Top with fresh chopped cilantro and diced avocado for an easy meal.Gluten-free and great for meal prep!
This simple yet delicious bowl of black beans and lime rice delivers a 'gotta have it' flavor. Black beans,corn, and onion are simmered in a seasoned broth then mixed with homemade lime rice.
This tasty Mexican-inspired dish will have you coming back for more.
Tips for the black beans
Sometimes canned black beans can be split and lead to one of my biggest pet peeves, "hollow bean skins”. (It’s how I refer to this problem) This happens when the skins break and the bean inside becomes a mush leaving hollowed out bean skins.
Now I don’t know about you, but I want to eat the whole bean not just the skin.
If you encounter the same problem hold off on adding them to the broth until the last 5 minutes of cook time.
Skip the sautéing
Black beans and rice have become a family favorite. It's quick, easy and versatile.
When I feel extra lazy I skip sautéing the onion. Instead, I simmer all the bean ingredients together in a large saucepan. (If the beans are split wait to add them.)
It takes about 20-25 minutes for the onion to soften this way. Since that is the only 'raw' ingredient in the pot it's all that needs to cook. Once the onion has softened the beans are done!
Serving Suggestions
- Top your rice with a handful of chopped cilantro and extra freshly squeezed lime juice. For more flavor, add a bit of juice from the bean mixture.
- To liven up the bowl and make it more filling add diced avocado and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
- Black beans and lime rice make a great burrito filling.
- Serve it as a side with vegan tacos,potato tacosjackfruit tamales, or vegan taco soup.
The options are endless!
We'd love to hear from you!
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30 Minute Black Beans and Lime Rice
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Black Beans are perfectly spiced with cumin, paprika and optional cayenne for a kick. The lime rice adds an authentic 'gotta have it taste', and a handful of cilantro completes the bowl! Gluten-free!
Ingredients
Black Beans
- 2 (15 oz.) cans low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small red onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups vegetable broth (I use low sodium)
- ⅔ cup water
- ⅔ cup corn, frozen, fresh, or canned
- ½ teaspoons pink salt, or to taste (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Cayenne pepper to taste
- Optional: chipotle powder for added flavor and heat
Lime Rice
- 2 cups uncooked brown rice
- Juice of 2-3 limes
Garnish
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
Cooking Rice
- Cook the rice according to the package or rice cooker.
- Once the rice has fully cooked, squeeze in the juice of 2-3 limes and mix.
Cooking Beans
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan sauté the diced onion and garlic in 1 Tablespoon broth until it begins to turn translucent. Add more broth as needed. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the onion begins to soften, mix in the seasonings and sauté for another minute.
- Now add the broth, water, beans and corn to the saucepan. Cover and let simmer for 15 min.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
To Serve
- Add 1 cup of lime rice and 1 cup of drained bean mixture to your bowl. For extra flavor, mix in a spoonful or two of broth from the beans.
- Serve with extra lime wedges, diced avocado, plenty of fresh cilantro, and a side of tortilla chips.
Notes
- Salt: I sometimes use up to 1 and ½ teaspoons for low sodium broth. Start with ½ teaspoon, taste, and add more if needed.
- Tomatoes: To add more flavor to the beans, toss in a can of fire-roasted tomatoes.
- Broth: If using a low sodium or light vegetable broth, omit the water and use all broth for more flavor.
- For best flavor: Measure the seasoning using a full scoop, don't level.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 bowlsServing Size: 1 bowl
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 267Protein: 8g
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
Note:This recipe makes enough to serve 4 as a main dish. For a smaller portion or to serve as a side, the recipe can be cut in half.
Cayenne Note: If you have spicy and non-spicy eaters, individually mix thecayenne pepper to each bowl before serving.
*Recipe updated Jan 12, 2018
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Laura
This turned out incredibly wet. I’m actually really surprised since the photo shows nothing like what is in my pot - which is bean soup. I’ve had to let it simmer longer with lid off hoping that it will reduce.
Reply
Marlena Luna
The beans are cooked in a seasoned broth which may look like soup. They should be scooped out with a slotted spoon for serving. The rice is cooked separately. A serving of rice and a serving of beans are mixed together in each dinner bowl.
Reply
Lisa
Honestly, if you like spicy food, this was kind of bland. Needed more cumin and chili powder for sure. Next time I'll skip the onion and garlic powder and just use a whole onion and two cloves of garlic and 1 Tbsp cumin and 2Tbsp chili powder. Liked the lime flavored rice. Served with cilantro, sliced lime, sliced avocado, diced green chilies and hot sauce.
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Cecelia
Wow, the fresh lime juice on the rice makes all the difference! I used an ear of fresh corn cut from the cob raw and it came out so good. Thanks for a great meal on its own or one I can use as a base for whatever is in the frig.
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Where you get your protein
Fresh corn sounds wonderful! I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe, Cecelia!
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Christine Yates
For whatever reason, I suspected this might not turn out well bc that tends to happen when I try a new recipe. I was so pleasantly surprised! I used half a white onion instead of red and no cayenne. I held back about a tsp of the seasonings in case I wanted to add more at the end but lo and behold...it was perfect! Perfectly spiced without overwhelming the tastebuds. The lime rice makes it perfect. Thanks so much!
Reply
Where you get your protein!
That's so great to hear Christine! New recipes can be daunting, so I'm glad this one came out perfect and you enjoyed it! :)
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Jennifer
How many calories in 1 cup?
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Where you get your protein!
Hi Jennifer! I'm in the process of finding a new recipe card so I can better provide nutritional facts. As of now I'm unsure how many calories are in 1 cup. I plugged the info into this nutrition calculator. I hope it helps!
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Alexa
Would love to try this recipe but don’t have any broth at home. Is it okay to use all water instead of 2 cups brother and 2/3 cups water?
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Where you get your protein!
Hi Alexa! I wouldn't recommend replacing the broth with only water. It would lose too much flavor.. If you have a bullion cube you can use 1 bullion cube and 2 cups of water in place of the broth.
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Pam
Can I make this ahead for a meal prep idea?
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Where you get your protein!
Hi Pam! Yes, this is a great recipe for meal prep. Enjoy! :)
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Melissa
I'm wondering why you simmer canned beans and (I assume) canned corn in broth/spices for 15 minutes, then drain off the broth. Do the beans and corn absorb the flavours? How do they not get over cooked?
Thanks :)Reply
Where you get your protein!
Yes, the beans and corn are simmered so they can absorb some of the flavors. If your beans are soft and you're worried about over cooking them, they can be added in at the end as well.
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Polly Koch
Can you serve this cold?
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Where you get your protein!
I haven't tried it cold, but I'm sure it would be just fine. :)
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Jodi
Do you drain the beans or use the bean juice?
Reply
Where you get your protein!
The beans should be drained and rinsed before adding to the pot. :)
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alex
Does this need to be covered while simmering?
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Where you get your protein!
I usually cover it to avoid the broth from evaporating too much, but it's fine either way.
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Nicole
I have a bottle of lime juice that I'd like to use. About how much juice would equal the amount in 2 - 3 limes?
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Where you get your protein!
Hi Nicole! I would start with about 3-4 Tablespoons. Mix the lime juice in and taste the rice to see if you'd like to add more. Enjoy! :)
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Fran
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup water: what do we do with the water?
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Where you get your protein!
Hi Fran! The water is added to the pot along with the veggie broth and seasonings. I have revised the recipe to include the water. Enjoy! :)
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Tanya B.
Ok this is so delicious and easy to make! For sure going to be a go to meal!
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Where you get your protein!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Tanya! :)
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