Description
A classic, flavorful Black Beans and Rice recipe that combines aromatic sofrito, tender black beans, and perfectly cooked long grain rice. This easy stovetop dish uses simple ingredients and is seasoned with sazón and bouillon for a comforting and hearty meal. Ideal as a side dish or a vegetarian main, it’s ready in under an hour and serves eight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup sofrito (store-bought or homemade, frozen works well)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups long grain rice (Carolina rice preferred)
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 packet Sazon with achiote (or 1/2 tablespoon homemade sazón)
- 1 large vegetable or chicken bouillon cube (such as Maggi)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Sauté Sofrito: Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the sofrito and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. This step releases the flavors of the sofrito as the base of your dish.
- Add Beans and Rice: Add the rinsed black beans and uncooked rice to the pot. Stir them into the sofrito mixture to combine evenly.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in the water, then add the sazón seasoning, the bouillon cube, and kosher salt. Stir thoroughly to distribute all the seasonings and begin the cooking process.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Continue cooking until the liquid is nearly absorbed and just skims the surface of the rice.
- Simmer: Lower the heat to the lowest setting and cover the pot tightly with a lid. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes, allowing the rice to cook completely and absorb all the flavors.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let it rest for 5-8 minutes to finish steaming the rice. Then uncover and fluff the rice and beans gently with a fork before serving.
Notes
- Using frozen sofrito helps to maintain fresh flavors and is convenient for quick meal prep.
- Rinsing canned black beans reduces sodium and improves texture in the final dish.
- You can substitute vegetable bouillon instead of chicken bouillon to keep the dish vegetarian.
- Letting the rice rest after cooking ensures a fluffier texture and prevents it from becoming mushy.
- This dish pairs well with avocado slices, fresh cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for added brightness.
