Coconut rice with black beans is a rich and creamy side dish that pairs well with fish, chicken, or Mexican food. The recipe is made even easier by preparing it in a rice cooker!
This recipe is another one I got from my mother-in-law.
She serves it with salmon and it pairs so well together!
But you could also make it to go with chicken, burritos, enchiladas, or Thai food.
I only use my rice cooker to make rice now after too many bad experiences with burning rice on the stove.
So this recipe is specifically meant to be made in a rice cooker!
Step-by-Step Instructions
ADD 2 cups white rice, 15 ounces of canned black beans, rinsed well, 13.5 ounces of canned coconut milk, shaken well, 1 cup water, and some salt to the rice cooker.
STIR well to combine.
COVER with the lid and cook until rice is soft and fluffy.
WHEN the rice is done, fluff with a fork or rice paddle and add salt to taste.
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
You’ll want to use Jasmine or long grain white rice for this side dish. Any other rice with become gluey from the coconut milk.
When I first made this dish, the rice was not done when the rice cooker finished, so I had to cook it longer. I’ve since adjusted the ingredients so it will cook in the right amount of time, but you know your rice cooker best. If the coconut rice is not done when the rice cooker finishes, start another round of cooking.
You can definitely make this black beans and rice recipe on the stove, but you may need to adjust the liquid ingredients. However I’ve read several different coconut rice recipes, and it sounds like the ingredients will work the same on the stove or in a rice cooker.
Try giving this recipe a cilantro lime flair by adding 2 tablespoons of lime juice and 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro before cooking.
Perfect Pairings
This coconut rice pairs well with:
- Brown Sugar Baked Salmon
- Chicken Power Bowl (instead of the almond wild rice)
- Cheesy Zucchini, Black Bean, and Rice Skillet (substitute for the white rice and beans)
- Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream White Sauce (use the cilantro-lime variation)
- Grilled Sausage Kabobs
FAQs
Black beans and rice are a healthy and filling dish when prepared with spices and cooked in water.
Black beans contain a good amount of fiber and protein and rice is very filling so the combination can keep you fuller longer.
This specific recipe contains coconut milk, which is very delicious, but also high in calories and fat. As long as you stick to the recommended serving size, you can enjoy this recipe without worry.
Coconut milk is a great addition to water for cooking rice, but you shouldn’t use just the coconut milk.
Coconut milk is very cream and rich and is difficult for the rice to absorb (which leads to longer cooking times). If you dilute the coconut milk with a little water, you’ll get rich and flavorful rice every time.
Yes!
Most rice cookers have a nice non-stick finish so the rice will pull away from the sides easily, so it doesn’t matter what liquid you use to cook the rice in.
I hope your family loves this coconut rice with black beans recipe! If you make it, be sure to take a picture and tag me on Instagram with @ashcroftfamilytable and use the hashtag #ashcroftfamilytable!
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Coconut Rice with Black Beans
Ingredients
- 2 cups white rice, Jasmine or long grain
- 15 ounces canned black beans, rinsed well
- 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk, shaken well
- 1 cup water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Add white rice, black beans, coconut milk, cup water, and salt to the rice cooker.
- Stir well to combine.
- Cover with the lid and cook until rice is soft and fluffy.
- When rice is done, fluff with fork or rice paddle and add salt to taste.