An easy first recipe for the Vegan 30 day challenge

Vegan Rice and Beans

This Vegan Rice and Beans is a satisfying meal all on its own. Full of protein and fiber, this delicious combination of fluffy rice, tender beans, and vegetables with herbs and spices is so tasty.

This Vegan Rice and Beans is such an easy and simple meal to make, you'll be serving it time and again. Each ingredient brings lots of flavor, with fresh herbs and complementary spices giving this dish a delicious boost. There are lots of variations and add-ins for this recipe, so you can make it so it fits the preferences of your family perfectly.

Not only does this make a filling and tasty meal, it's also healthy and full of vitamins and minerals. If you choose brown rice and organic ingredients, this Vegan Rice and Beans can be a healthy option for your regular diet. It also pairs well with lots of dishes, so you can easily add it to your favorite meals. Let's look at what you'll be using to make it.

What you'll need

Rice. I used long-grain parboiled rice. Any long or medium grain rice can be used instead.
Veggie Stock. Or water.
Oil. Olive, grapeseed, or avocado oil would work here.
Onion. Any color.
Bell Pepper. Any color.
Garlic.
Jalapeno. Optional.
Beans. I used kidney beans, but black or pinto beans would be great in this recipe as well.
Spices. Cumin powder, chili powder (optional), salt, and pepper.
Cilantro. Or parsley.

How to make it
1. In a medium pot, bring the vegetable stock, or salted water, to a boil. Add rice and about 1 tablespoon. of oil. Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, until the rice is cooked through and fluffy.

Cooking rice in veggie broth
2. In the meantime, heat up a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil and onion, and cook for about 5 minutes.

Cooking the onion in oil
3. At this point, add the bell pepper, garlic, and jalapeno. Cook for another 3-5 minutes.

Adding peppers and garlic to onion
4. Now, add the cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir, and cook for 1 minute, until the spices are fragrant.

Adding spices
5. Add in the kidney beans and cook until just heated through.

Adding kidney beans
6. Lastly, add the cooked rice and cilantro. Stir, turn off the heat, and serve.

Use long-grained rice. This recipe works best with this kind of rice because it has less starch and the grains will separate more than others. Jasmine and Basmati can be used, and organic is best.
Cut the veggies to a similar size. The ingredients in this Vegan Rice and Beans are all a uniform size, so make sure that you chop everything about the same for even cooking.
Rinse and drain the beans. If you are using canned beans, drain the liquid in the can and rinse them to remove any extra starch. You can use organic or make your own, too.
Avoid overcooking the rice. Parboiled rice is already partially boiled so it may take slightly less time than regular white rice, and much less than brown. Take it off the heat once it gets fluffy.

Add-ins and Substitutes
Add other vegetables. You can try this recipe with the addition of corn, peas, olives, squash, or carrots for a different flavor. Saute the harder veggies, like the carrots, to soften them.
Substitute other herbs. Rather than using parsley, you can add cilantro as a garnish, or thyme, sage, or a bay leaf to be cooked into the dish.
Add some acidity. For a tangy flavor, add some apple cider vinegar or lime juice to these Vegan Rice and Beans. Fresh lime juice is always preferred for the best flavor.
Add tofu. Try this recipe with added protein by chopping up some tofu and cooking it with the beans and vegetables. Choose the firm or extra firm varieties though, so they will hold their shape.
How to Store
You can store these Vegan Rice and Beans in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. When you are ready to reheat them, place them on the stove top to warm through, or in the microwave for a minute or two. You can also freeze this dish once it has cooled. Place it in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

What to Serve with it
Salad. This Vegan Rice and Beans tastes delicious with a fresh salad, such as this Iceberg Lettuce Salad, Kale Apple Salad, Creamy Cucumber Radish Salad, and Tomato and Onion Salad.
Vegetables. Enjoy this dish with pan-roasted and grilled veggies, like these Roasted Tomato Pesto Vegetables, Simple Vegetable Skewers, Roasted Broccoli, or Garlic Roasted Okra.