• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Mitten Girl
  • Cocktails
    • Cocktail Syrups
    • Stock Your Bar
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
    • Portfolio
    • About
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Cocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Work with Me
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recent Posts » Dinner

    Easy Tomato Rice and Beans

    Published: May 4, 2021 · Updated: Apr 5, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 126
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Tomato Rice and Beans

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    An easy, flavorful dish, Tomato Rice and Beans is a delicious, gluten-free side dish to tacos or grilled chicken, as a filling for burritos and quesadillas, or as a vegetarian main dish. 

    Tomato Rice and Beans

    I used to buy pouches of rice mixes at the store, always to be disappointed. They never tasted as good as I hoped and were full of shelf stabilizing ingredients I couldn’t pronounce. So I went through my pantry, and found that staple ingredients like rice, canned beans, and canned tomatoes could join together to make something better. 

    Tomato Rice and Beans makes a large quantity using low cost ingredients, so it’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget. This vegetarian dish is also gluten-free and vegan.

    What You Need

    • Long grain rice
    • Canned, diced tomatoes
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Chili powder 
    • Salt
    • Olive oil
    • An onion
    • Garlic
    • Black beans, canned
    • Cilantro (optional)

    How to Make Tomato Rice and Beans

    Drain all liquid from the can of tomatoes into a measuring cup. Add enough water to yield 2 cups of liquid.

    Pour into a small pot. 

    Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Stir to combine. 

    Pot full of spices, tomato liquid and water

    Bring to a boil. Add rice. Stir to combine. 

    Let mixture return to a boil, then reduce heat until the liquid is just simmering. 

    Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed into the rice. 

    Cooked tomato rice

    While rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. 

    Add onion, cook 2-3 minutes. 

    Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

    Reduce heat to low and add the black beans and tomatoes to the pan. 

    Tomatoes and black beans in a skillet

    Warm the beans and tomatoes through. 

    Remove skillet from heat and wait for the rice to finish cooking. 

    Once rice is cooked, fluff the rice with a fork before adding it to the skillet with the beans, tomatoes, garlic and onions. 

    Tomatoes, beans and rice in a skillet

    Stir everything together to combine. Fold in the cilantro. 

    Serve warm.

    Tips for Tomato Rice and Black Beans

    Do I have to use cilantro?

    The cilantro adds a delicious freshness to the dish, but if you don’t like it or don’t have any on hand, just leave it out. 

    Can I use something besides black beans?

    Pinto beans are also delicious in this dish. Feel free to substitute pinto for black beans if that's what you prefer or have on hand.

    How can I meal prep with this recipe?

    This recipe makes a large amount and freezes great! Make it completely - including the cilantro - and let it cool slightly. I freeze 1 ½ - 2 cup portions in ziptop bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or in a sink of cold water, if you’re in a hurry. Reheat in the microwave.

    What can I make with Tomato Rice and Black Beans?

    Besides being a delicious side dish, this recipe is great as filling for burritos and quesadillas, or as the base to a rice bowl.

    Make it a Meal with these Recipes

    Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos
    Slow Cooker Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos
    Avocado Corn Salsa
    Avocado Corn Salsa

    Cocktail Pairings

    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    (Not Quite a) Paloma
    Elderflower Margaritas
    Elderflower Margaritas

    More Delicious Recipes You'll Love

    • Black Bean Sweet Potato Soup
    • Quick and Easy Black Bean Mango Salsa
    • Easy, Creamy Bean Dip (No Cream Cheese)
    • Sweet and Citrus Garlic Sauce
    • Cheddar and Broccoli Rice

    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Tomato Rice and Beans

    Tomato Rice and Beans
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    An easy, flavorful dish, Tomato Rice and Beans is a delicious side dish to tacos or grilled chicken, as a filling for burritos and quesadillas, or as a main dish. 

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 30 min
    • Total Time: 40 min
    • Yield: 8 servings 1x
    • Category: Dinner
    • Method: Stove Top
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 cup uncooked rice
    • 1 - 15 oz can diced tomatoes
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp chili powder
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 1 Tbsp olive oil
    • 1 small onion, chopped
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 - 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro (optional)

    Instructions

    Drain all liquid from the can of tomatoes into a measuring cup. Add enough water to yield 2 cups of liquid. 

    Pour into a small pot. 

    Add garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and salt. Stir to combine. 

    Bring to a boil. Add rice. Stir to combine. 

    Let mixture return to a boil, then reduce heat until the liquid is just simmering. 

    Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until all liquid is absorbed into the rice. 

    While rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large, high sided skillet over medium heat. 

    Add onion, cook 2-3 minutes. 

    Add garlic and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the onion is translucent.

    Reduce heat to low and add the black beans and tomatoes to the pan. 

    Warm the beans and tomatoes through. 

    Remove skillet from heat and wait for the rice to finish cooking. 

    Once rice is cooked, fluff the rice with a fork before adding it to the skillet with the beans, tomatoes, garlic and onions. 

    Stir everything together to combine. Fold in the cilantro. 

    Serve warm.

    Keywords: tomato rice, black beans, rice side dish, sides for tacos, vegan recipes, vegetarian recipes, gluten free side dish

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

    « Homemade Orange Vanilla Body Scrub
    Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Cocktails »

    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 126

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy. I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for daaaaays. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Weekly Newsletter

    Join my email list and get 5 CLASSIC COCKTAIL RECIPES sent to you immediately!

    Subscribers receive a new and delicious recipe in their inbox each week.

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Simple and Easy Mocktail for Kids
    • Easy Lavender Lemon Drop Martini
    • Easy Tomato Rice and Beans
    • Chocolate and Peanut Butter Whiskey Cocktail
    • How to Set Up a DIY Cocktail and Mocktail Bar Your Guest Will Love
    • Easy and Delicious Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktail (Not Blended)
    • Easy, Creamy Bean Dip (No Cream Cheese)
    • The Best Pineapple Mai Tai Rum Cocktail
    • Refreshing Grapefruit and Elderflower Gin Cocktail

    Footer

    Connect with Me

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Copyright © 2022 · Mitten Girl LLC || Privacy Policy || Disclaimer || Terms & Conditions