Alton Brown Black Beans/Brown Rice

This delicious and hearty Black Beans & Brown Rice recipe from Alton Brown is a simple, nutritious meal packed with flavor. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it features tender black beans, aromatic garlic, and perfectly baked brown rice. Topped with creamy avocado and fresh cilantro, this dish is both satisfying and easy to make with pantry staples!

Recipe Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups medium-grain brown rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
• 4 large garlic cloves, smashed
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 (15-ounce) can “no salt added” black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon dry oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and diced
• Chopped cilantro, to serve

How To Make Black Beans/Brown Rice?

1. Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Rice: Preheat your oven to 190°C / 375°F. Spread the brown rice in an 8-inch (20cm) square glass baking dish. Stir in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Cook the Rice: Bring the water to a boil in an electric kettle and pour it over the rice. Cover tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil and bake on the middle rack for 1 hour.
3. Sauté the Aromatics: While the rice cooks, heat a 12-inch (30cm) sauté pan over medium heat. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and let it warm up. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking and stirring frequently until the garlic turns golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Cook the Beans: Add the chopped onion and the remaining salt to the pan. Stir frequently and cook until the onion starts to color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the black beans, dried oregano, and black pepper. Continue cooking, stirring often, for 6 to 8 minutes.
5. Fluff the Rice & Assemble: Remove the rice from the oven, uncover, and fluff it with a fork. Let it steam out for 2 minutes. Serve the black beans over the rice, and garnish with diced avocado and chopped cilantro.

Recipe Tips:

• Bake the Rice for the Best Texture : Cooking brown rice in the oven ensures even cooking and a fluffy texture. Don’t skip the foil cover—it traps steam and helps the rice cook perfectly.
• Toast the Garlic Carefully : Keep an eye on the garlic while sautéing. If it burns, it will taste bitter. Cook it on medium heat until golden brown for the best flavor.
• Use Freshly Ground Black Pepper : Pre-ground pepper loses its aroma quickly. Freshly grinding it right before adding it to the beans enhances the dish’s flavor.
• Let the Rice Steam After Baking : After removing the rice from the oven, let it sit uncovered for 2 minutes. This helps remove excess moisture and keeps it from getting sticky.
• Add Avocado & Cilantro Just Before Serving : Fresh avocado can brown quickly, and cilantro wilts fast. For the best taste and texture, add them right before serving.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: Let the Black Beans & Brown Rice cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: This dish freezes well. After cooling, store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat: Heat a pan over medium heat and add a splash of water or oil. Stir the rice and beans frequently for 5–7 minutes until evenly warmed.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 267
• Total Fat: 7.8g
• Saturated Fat: 1.2g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 359mg
• Potassium: 394mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 40g
• Dietary Fiber: 9.4g
• Sugars: 0.5g
• Protein: 10g

Check out More Recipes:

• Alton Brown The Once And Future Beans
• Alton Brown Red Beans And Rice
• Alton Brown Black Bean Salad