Rice Cooker Rice and Beans Recipe

How to Made the Best Rice and Beans in a Rice Cooker

I don’t eat enough rice and beans. They are good for you by providing lots of protein, fiber and vitamins, low in fat and filled with complex carbs.

They are relatively cheap and so versatile. Serve them as a side dish, add them to omelettes or burritos or use them as a starter to make complete meals by adding other ingredients.

Rice and beans or some version of them can be found in just about every culture. Some may use a different form of rice or one of many varieties of beans or add a particular protein but they are thought of as rice and beans.

Lo-Cal Rice and Beans

I’ve been counting my calories for the last month so I was looking to create a “healthy” rice and bean version. First thing I did was substitute long grain brown rice for white rice. I knew I was going to make the rice in my rice cooker but then it struck me, “Why not make the entire dish in the rice cooker?”

Normally I would saute the garlic and onion in a pot, add the beans and then transfer the rice from a rice cooker to the pot. By making the entire dish in the rice cooker, I could eliminate the oil needed to saute the onion and garlic.

I used homemade chicken stock instead of water to cook the rice. This added more flavor to the rice and a little bit of fat for better mouthfeel.

We usually have homemade chicken stock in the refrigerator or freezer but commercial chicken stock works well too. Try to find a good brand with low sodium and not too many calories from fat.

The saffron threads bring their own flavor to the dish in a way that’s hard to describe. I think of it as an earthy flavor, not sweet but pungent. I’m guessing if you asked 10 different people to describe what saffron tastes like in a dish, you would get 10 different answers.

If you need help with your bean conversions, check this page.

Create Your Own Version

Even if you are not counting your calories, preparing rice and beans in a rice cooker can still work for you. You can substitute white rice for brown rice, red or white beans for black beans, veggie or beef stock for chicken stock.

Try different herbs and spices to change the flavor around. Some vegetables you may have to blanch or pre-cook before adding.

Next time I may try some frozen peas. Don’t you find frozen peas add nice texture and flavor to most dishes?

Be adventurous with your cooking. Try something new and different. And try a rice cooker.

Print Recipe

Rice Cooker Rice and Beans Recipe

How to make delicious rice and beans in a rice cooker.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Total Time20 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Spanish

Keyword: beans, rice

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Rice Cooker

Ingredients

• 2 cups homemade chicken stock
• 1 cup long grain brown rice
• 1 small yellow onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 - 15.5 oz can black beans drained
• pinch of saffron threads

Instructions

• Prep all the ingredients.
• Add the rice and chicken stock to the rice cooker, stir, cover, and flip the switch to start cooking.
• After a couple of minutes, add the onion and garlic, stir, cover, and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Add the black beans and the saffron threads. I like to break up the saffron with my fingers before adding it.
• Stir, cover, and continue cooking until the rice cooker turns off and all the chicken stock is absorbed into the rice.

Notes

Couldn't be easier and the taste is sensational. You can spice them up when you serve them with some hot sauce or whatever condiments you prefer.

Serve as a side dish, add a protein like chicken or beef, and serve as a main course.