Go Back
+ servings
Black beans and rice on a plate garnished with fresh cilantro.
Print Recipe
4.62 from 26 votes

Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe (Arroz Congri)

Black beans and rice aka Arroz Congri is a classic Hispanic dish that's also a good source of proteins. Learn how to make it here.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: caribbean, Cuban, Dominican
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 512kcal
Author: Vanessa

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • half of a green and/or red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
  • 2 chicken bouillon tablets (caldo de pollo)
  • 1 teaspoon sazón with culantro and achiote
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon adobo
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, with liquid
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 3 cups long grain rice, rinsed

Instructions

  • In a large cast-iron pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, tomato sauce, chicken bouillon cubes, sazón, oregano, cumin, adobo, and black pepper for about 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to release the aroma.
  • Add the beans with its liquid, water and bay leaf. When the water begins to boil, add the rice, stirring occasionally to avoid it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
  • Once the rice has soaked up all the water and begins to dry up, lower the heat to low.
  • Cover and let cook for 25 minutes. Then, stir the rice carefully and cover for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Serve warm with a side of your choice.

Notes

  • Oftentimes, people serve congri garnished with cilantro and olive oil drizzled on top 
  • You can also use a sofrito base for seasoning, which I also have a recipe for here!
  • Try adding cooked bacon right before covering the pot for additional flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 512kcal | Carbohydrates: 94g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 509mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 332IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 3mg