Very Veggie Rice and Beans — EASY, ready in 15 minutes, and amps up rice and beans with an abundance of vegetables!! Healthy, Mexican-inspired food that tastes like comfort food and keeps you satisfied for hours!!
Reading: vegetarian dish over rice
Healthy Mexican Rice and Beans
Many people this time of year are dieting and really watching every morsel they put in their mouth, and this is a healthy meal that tastes like comfort food. This one-skillet black beans and rice recipe is so easy, ready in 15 minutes, naturally vegan and gluten-free, and tastes like a million bucks. When your body craves more than a cold salad but also needs a bit of a reset, this is perfect.
There’s an abundance of vegetables, hence the very veggie title. There’s sweet Vidalia onion, red bell pepper, shredded carrots, frozen peas and corn, green onions, cilantro, and of course rice and beans. I also added cumin, a pinch of cayenne, and lime juice so that the dish would have plenty of Mexican-inspired flavor.
I think this easy rice and beans dish tastes incredible and I love all the different textures from the vegetables. The naturally sweet red peppers, carrots, peas, and corn are pleasant little surprises in an otherwise savory dish. The cilantro and lime juice at the end are great touches and really bring everything together.
Make it for a quick and easy lunch, a meatless dinner, or as a hearty side to go along your favorite Mexican recipes.
The rice and beans recipe beats the pants off what Trader Joe’s sells in their freezer case called ‘Vegetable Fried Rice.’ That’s a staple for my daughter that I always have on hand, but my homemade version tastes way better and skews more Mexican while theirs has more of an Asian flair.
If you’re looking for an Asian fried rice recipe that’s better than takeout, look no further than either this Chicken Fried Rice or this Shrimp Fried Rice recipe. Both of them are in the Top 10 recipes I’ve ever published and continue to be reader favorites.
What’s in Healthy Rice and Beans?
To make this easy rice and beans recipe, you’ll need:
- Olive oil
- Sweet Vidalia onion
- Red bell pepper
- Shredded carrots
- Corn
- Peas
- Black beans
- Pre-cooked White Rice
- Spices
- Green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice
How to Make Rice and Beans
The key to making really good rice and beans is to cook all the veggies in stages. First, sauté the onions in an oiled skillet until softened. Then, add in the bell peppers and carrots and cook just until crisp-tender.
Throw in the corn, peas, beans, rice, and spices and cook until warmed through. Finish everything off with some green onions, cilantro, lime juice, then stir and serve!
Read more: Easy Healthy Veggie-Driven Pasta Recipes! (Vegan-adaptable)
Can I Use Different Veggies in This Recipe?
Most definitely. The nice thing about this healthy rice and beans recipe is that it’s a very flexible recipe and you can toss in the veggies you have on hand. Mushrooms, other kinds of peppers, cooked sweet potato cubes, or whatever you have laying around. I made this when I had a fridge full of random produce I needed to use, pronto.
Can I Add Chicken to Rice and Beans?
Yes, leftover cooked chicken would be a nice addition to Mexican rice and beans (use shredded, cubed, or rotisserie chicken — whatever is on hand!).
Can I Use Another Type of Rice?
Of course! I used an 8-ounce package of precooked white rice to save time. You can use your favorite rice and make it from scratch if desired. Just make sure whatever rice you’re using is cooked before adding it to the skillet.
Tips for Making Black Beans and Rice
Note that the cayenne doesn’t make the rice and beans super hot but rather just adds flavor, but you can omit it if you prefer.
I also wanted to caution you not to overcook the veggies. I made sure not to overcook the vegetables because I wanted them to be crisp-tender rather than mushy.
If you’re in need of an easy freezer meal, this recipe fits the bill! I divided the Mexican rice and beans into five plastic containers, froze them, and we pulled them out as needed. The tasted just as good after being frozen and reheated as they did fresh. Perfect.
More Healthy Mexican Recipes:
FAVORITE MEXICAN RECIPES – ALL HERE
15-Minute Salsa and Black Bean Chicken Skillet – Fast, easy, family-friendly, healthy yet hearty, naturally gluten-free, Mexican-inspired meal! The perfect recipe to jazz up your usual weeknight chicken dinner!
15-Minute Mango Lime Chicken with Rice and Beans – Easy, healthy, and the mango sauce spiked with lime juice is so tasty! You can’t go wrong with Mexican-inspired flavors, juicy chicken, and rice and beans!
Read more: one pot no rice vegetarian dish
20-Minute Cilantro Chicken with Rice and Beans – Easy, healthy, and the fresh cilantro sauce is so good! The chicken is juicy, loaded with flavor, and along with the rice and beans and you’ll be satisfied for hours!
15-Minute Cheesy Chicken Taco Skillet – Craving tacos minus all the empty carbs? This easy taco skillet without tortillas is perfect! Fast, easy, loaded with awesome Mexican-inspired flavors and it’s super cheesy!
Easy 30-Minute Chicken Enchilada Chili – Don’t have all day for chili to simmer? No problem! This easy, hearty, healthier chili full of Mexican-inspired flavors is ready in 30 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights!
Skinny Mexican Bean and Corn Salad — This Mexican bean salad is such a fast and easy recipe to make! Two kinds of beans, juicy corn and tomatoes, crisp peppers, and green onions are tossed in a lime-chili-cumin vinaigrette that’s perfectly light.
Taco-Stuffed Avocados — Like avocados? Then you are going to LOVE these taco STUFFED avocados with ground beef, CHEESE, and more!! EASY, ready in 15 minutes, a family favorite, and perfect for busy weeknights!!
Chicken Tortilla Lettuce Wraps — I worked some Mexican flair into what’s normally an Asian dish. Soft butter lettuce (or romaine) cradles taco-seasoned chicken, juicy tomatoes and corn, crisp red peppers, and cheese.
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