Description
This flavorful Black Beans and Rice recipe combines aromatic sofrito, tender black beans, and fluffy long grain rice, seasoned with Sazon and bouillon for a comforting and hearty dish perfect for a family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup sofrito (store-bought or homemade, kept frozen)
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups long grain rice (Carolina rice preferred)
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 1 packet Sazon with achiote (or 1/2 tablespoon homemade sazon)
- 1 large vegetable or chicken bouillon cube (such as Maggi)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Sauté Sofrito: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup of sofrito and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Beans and Rice: Stir in the rinsed and drained black beans along with 2 cups of long grain rice into the pot. Mix everything together evenly.
- Add Liquids and Seasonings: Pour in 3 1/2 cups of water. Crumble and add one large vegetable or chicken bouillon cube and pour in one packet of Sazon seasoning with achiote (or 1/2 tablespoon of homemade sazon). Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring to a Boil: Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Continue cooking until the liquid is nearly absorbed and just skims the surface of the rice.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot tightly. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes to allow the rice to cook fully and absorb all the flavors.
- Rest and Fluff: Remove the pot from heat and keep it covered for 5-8 minutes to let the rice finish steaming. Finally, fluff the rice with a fork before serving for the best texture.
Notes
- Using Carolina long grain rice yields the best texture but any long grain rice can be substituted.
- Sofrito can be homemade or store-bought frozen to save time.
- If you prefer vegetarian, use a vegetable bouillon cube instead of chicken.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste, especially salt.
- Letting the rice rest covered is essential for perfect fluffy rice.
