Finding great healthy dinner recipes for family can feel like a huge challenge. You want something tasty that everyone will eat. But you also need it to be fast and affordable.
That is where this amazing black beans and rice recipe comes in. It is a simple, comforting meal that checks all the boxes. It’s one of my favorite healthy weeknight dinners.
This dish uses pantry staples like canned beans and rice. It comes together in about 20 minutes. It’s packed with flavor from fresh cilantro, lime, and cumin. Let’s make dinner easy tonight!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to add this to your list of healthy easy dinner ideas. First, it is incredibly fast. The whole meal is ready from start to finish in around 20 minutes.
It is also very budget friendly. When you need cheap dinners for a family, beans and rice are a classic choice. This recipe proves that affordable can also be delicious.
This is one of those fantastic kid friendly dinners. The flavors are mild and comforting. Plus, you can set out toppings like cheese and avocado so everyone can customize their own bowl.
Finally, it is a wholesome and satisfying meal. You get protein and fiber from the beans and energy from the rice. It is a balanced dish you can feel good about serving.
Ingredients
For the Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ lime (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
For the Beans:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 28 oz. canned black beans (drained and rinsed)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup water
- ½ lime (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Rice
First, get your rice cooking. In a medium pot, combine the basmati rice, water, olive oil, and salt. Stir everything together just once.
Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. As soon as it boils, cover it and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Keep the lid on for another 5 to 10 minutes. This lets the rice steam and get fluffy. No peeking!
Finally, fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the fresh cilantro and the juice and zest from half a lime. Give it a taste and add more salt if you think it needs it.
Step 2: Start the Beans
While the rice is simmering, you can make the beans. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in another medium pot over medium high heat.
Add the diced onion to the pot. Sauté for about 2 or 3 minutes. You want the onion to soften and get a little bit of color.
Step 3: Simmer the Beans
Next, add the cumin and salt to the onions. Stir for about 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant. This really wakes up the flavors.
Now add the drained and rinsed black beans along with one cup of water. Stir it all together. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer without a lid for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors come together nicely.
Step 4: Thicken and Finish the Beans
After simmering, turn off the heat. To thicken the beans, gently mash them a few times with a potato masher. This creates a creamy texture while leaving most beans whole.
If you do not have a masher, a fork against the side of the pot works too. A quick pulse with an immersion blender is another option.
Stir in the juice and zest from the other half of the lime. Add the fresh cilantro. Taste and add more salt if needed. This is one of the easiest healthy dinner recipes for family.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
To serve, scoop a generous portion of the fluffy rice into a bowl. Top it with the creamy, flavorful black beans.
You can enjoy it as is, or add your favorite toppings. Shredded cheese, pico de gallo, diced avocado, or a dash of hot sauce are all great choices.
How To Store Leftovers
This recipe is great for leftovers! Store the beans and rice in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
To reheat, simply microwave them until warm. You can also reheat them on the stovetop over low heat. You might want to add a splash of water to the beans.
Leftover beans and rice also make an amazing filling for burritos. Just warm them up, wrap them in a tortilla with cheese, and you have another easy meal.
Tips
Basmati rice is great because it cooks fast. But you can use other types of rice. Just follow the cooking time and water ratio on the package for brown or short grain rice.
Don’t have fresh cilantro? You can leave it out or add a little ground coriander to the beans for a similar flavor. Onion powder can also stand in for a fresh onion.
Want to add more flavor? Sauté some fresh garlic with the onions. You could also add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika for a different spin. Making healthy weeknight dinners should be fun!
The topping possibilities are endless. Try sour cream, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch. It’s a great way to make kid friendly dinners more interactive.
Conclusion
This black beans and rice recipe is a true hero for busy nights. It is proof that healthy dinner recipes for family do not have to be complicated or expensive.
It is a flavorful, satisfying meal that everyone can enjoy. We hope you love these cheap dinners for a family as much as we do. It is a simple recipe that delivers big on taste.
Give it a try this week. It might just become one of your new go to healthy easy dinner ideas. Enjoy making a wholesome meal for your loved ones.
FAQ
Is this recipe spicy?
No, this recipe is not spicy. It is seasoned with cumin for a warm, savory flavor. This makes it a great choice for kid friendly dinners. You can add spice with hot sauce or cayenne pepper.
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, you can definitely use brown rice. Keep in mind that brown rice takes longer to cook, usually about 40 to 45 minutes. Adjust the water amount and cooking time based on package directions.
What can I serve with black beans and rice?
This dish is a complete meal on its own. You can also serve it as a side. It pairs well with grilled chicken, fish, or a simple side salad. Cornbread is another tasty addition.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely. This is a great recipe for meal prep. Cook the beans and rice as directed, let them cool, and store them in the fridge. This makes it one of the best healthy weeknight dinners for busy schedules.
Black Beans and Rice
A quick and easy, flavorful, and satisfying black beans and rice recipe. A perfect healthy weeknight dinner for families, ready in about 20 minutes.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, get your rice cooking. In a medium pot, combine the basmati rice, water, olive oil, and salt. Stir everything together just once.
- Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. As soon as it boils, cover it and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Let it cook for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, turn off the heat. Keep the lid on for another 5 to 10 minutes. This lets the rice steam and get fluffy. No peeking!
- Finally, fluff the rice with a fork. Stir in the fresh cilantro and the juice and zest from half a lime. Give it a taste and add more salt if you think it needs it.
- While the rice is simmering, you can make the beans. Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in another medium pot over medium high heat.
- Add the diced onion to the pot. Sauté for about 2 or 3 minutes. You want the onion to soften and get a little bit of color.
- Next, add the cumin and salt to the onions. Stir for about 30 seconds until the spices are fragrant. This really wakes up the flavors.
- Now add the drained and rinsed black beans along with one cup of water. Stir it all together. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer without a lid for about 10 minutes. This helps the flavors come together nicely.
- After simmering, turn off the heat. To thicken the beans, gently mash them a few times with a potato masher. This creates a creamy texture while leaving most beans whole.
- If you do not have a masher, a fork against the side of the pot works too. A quick pulse with an immersion blender is another option.
- Stir in the juice and zest from the other half of the lime. Add the fresh cilantro. Taste and add more salt if needed. This is one of the easiest healthy dinner recipes for family.
- To serve, scoop a generous portion of the fluffy rice into a bowl. Top it with the creamy, flavorful black beans.
- You can enjoy it as is, or add your favorite toppings. Shredded cheese, pico de gallo, diced avocado, or a dash of hot sauce are all great choices.
Notes
Basmati rice is great because it cooks fast. But you can use other types of rice. Just follow the cooking time and water ratio on the package for brown or short grain rice.
Don’t have fresh cilantro? You can leave it out or add a little ground coriander to the beans for a similar flavor. Onion powder can also stand in for a fresh onion.
Want to add more flavor? Sauté some fresh garlic with the onions. You could also add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or smoked paprika for a different spin. Making healthy weeknight dinners should be fun!
The topping possibilities are endless. Try sour cream, chopped tomatoes, jalapeños, or crushed tortilla chips for extra crunch. It’s a great way to make kid friendly dinners more interactive.
Nutrition
Calories (estimated)
Fiber (estimated)
Protein (estimated)
Fat (estimated)
