What to make with beans and rice
Beans and rice is the cheapest protein-complete meal on earth. Done right, it's also one of the best. Built by a working chef.
Four ways to cook beans and rice tonight
- Cuban-style black beans over rice. Simmer black beans with sofrito, cumin, oregano, and a splash of vinegar, ladle over white rice.
- Mexican-style rice and beans bowl. Layer rice, pinto beans, salsa, lime, and a fried egg — done in 12 minutes if the rice is leftover.
- Indian-style dal over basmati. Cook red lentils with turmeric and salt, finish with a tarka of cumin seeds and garlic in ghee.
- Rice and beans with crispy chorizo. Brown chorizo in a hot pan, fold into rice and beans, finish with cilantro and lime.
The one thing chefs do that home cooks skip
fry leftover rice and beans together in a screaming-hot pan with oil until the bottom crusts — that crust is the whole point.
If you've also got…
Add one of these and the dish levels up: lemon, fresh herbs, parmigiano, anchovy paste, chili crisp, soy sauce, butter, or a fried egg. The chef behind NowCook keeps every one of those in the kitchen for exactly this kind of pivot.
Let NowCook build the recipe.
Tell NowCook you have beans and rice. Add a few pantry staples. It builds a step-by-step recipe in 12 seconds — with substitutions for whatever you're missing. $9/month or $72/year ($6/mo effective, save $36/yr). 14-day free trial. No credit card required.
See pricing & start free →Frequently asked questions
- Can NowCook build a recipe just from beans and rice?
- Yes. Type in any two or more ingredients you have on hand and NowCook builds a real recipe — with substitutions if you're missing common pantry items like salt, oil, or garlic. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
- What if I only have beans and rice and nothing else?
- NowCook works with whatever's in your kitchen. The recipe will assume basic pantry staples (salt, pepper, oil, a fat, an acid) — if those aren't on hand, the app will note it and adjust.
- Does NowCook handle dietary restrictions?
- Yes. Set your diet once (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low-carb, high-protein, dairy-free) and every recipe respects it.
- How much does NowCook cost?
- $9 per month or $72 per year (a $36 yearly savings — works out to $6 effective per month). 14-day free trial. No credit card required to start.
More combos: eggs + spinach · chicken + rice · pasta + tomatoes · potatoes + onions · garlic + olive oil · ground beef + onions · All recipes · By cuisine