Southern Black Beans and Rice

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• The flavors from the vegetables combine with the flavor from the ham and tomato to make this a delicious dinner!
• The combination of ham, beans, and rice is work great as a standalone dinner. To make it even more substantial, you might add warm bread and a very simple salad.
• It is a flavorful variation of a classic combination.
• Easily converted to a vegetarian option.

🍳 Tools You’ll Use

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• Knife.
• Cutting Board.
• Skillet.
• Spoon or Spatula.

My Favorite Kitchen Knives

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I’ve used Wusthof knives for a very long time in my kitchen. They’re easy to maintain and fit my hands well!

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🛒 About the Ingredients

• Onion, garlic, bell pepper, and celery – These are classic aromatic vegetables that create a substantial flavor base for the recipe. The garlic should be finely minced and the vegetables diced in similar sizes so they cook evenly.
• Fresh thyme – Fresh is always best in my opinion, but if it’s not available remember the rule that dried herbs substitute at one-third the amount of fresh. To make the math easy, the substitution for this recipe would be approximately 2/3 teaspoon dried thyme for the four sprigs of fresh. You’re welcome 😊.
• Canned black beans – I typically use canned beans for convenience sake. Yes, they’re a little more expensive than cooking beans from their dried state but worth the time savings for me. However, if you prefer, you may certainly cook a pot of dried black beans and use them in this recipe!
• Tabasco sauce – This is completely optional based on your feelings about heat and spiciness. In my opinion, this small amount of Tabasco doesn’t really add anything to the spiciness of the recipe but does lend its unique flavor to the finished dish. Then again, I put Tabasco on lots of things, so use your own judgment.
• Rice – Use your favorite. It can be white rice, brown rice, or whatever you like. My personal favorite is basmati.
• Garnishes – Garnish the finished dish in whatever way makes you happy! I like to add a splash of red wine vinegar, some finely chopped fresh tomato, and chives. Others prefer a little salsa, some fresh cilantro, and sour cream on their serving.

🔪 How to Make Southern Black Beans and Rice

• In a large, deep skillet heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Add the thyme, tomatoes, beans, ham, salt, black pepper, oregano, and Tabasco. Stir well.

👉 Pro Tip: I often purchase the small packages of cubed ham from my local grocery store to have on hand for recipes like this. I often use it in soups and stews or casseroles, and it’s also great for omelets! It’s one convenience product that I can highly recommend.

• Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook 30-40 minutes or until the beans are tender.
• While the beans are cooking, prepare the rice.
• In a medium saucepan, bring the water, salt, and butter to a boil. Add the rice, stir and bring back to a boil.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until rice is tender – about 20 minutes.
• Serve the bean mixture over hot, fluffy rice. Be sure to remove the thyme stems before serving.
• Garnish with a drizzle of red wine vinegar and your choice of fresh chopped tomatoes, chopped fresh chives, salsa, and/or sour cream.

🍚 Storing Leftovers

You can store leftovers in a sealed, air-tight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or larger portions on the stovetop.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This versatile bean and rice recipe serves six as an entree and eight or more as a side.

As an entree, I like to pair this recipe with simple side dishes like bread and a tossed green salad, quick pickled cucumbers, Mexican street corn salad, and a few pickled jalapenos alongside.

As a side dish, it goes with so many different things! Try pairing it with my southwest pulled pork sliders, carne asada tacos, machaca burritos, or shredded beef tacos.

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