Easy Kidney Beans and Rice

Looking for a simple kidney beans and rice recipe? Try our quick and easy take on the classic Louisiana red beans and rice. This dish is so effortless that it’ll quickly become a go-to for family dinners. Pair it with a bowl of gochujang gumbo, BBQ ribs, or grilled shrimp for a complete meal. You can also prepare a big batch for the week, perfect for meal prep. This recipe is a versatile base for grain bowls or a side dish with quick-cook proteins like rotisserie chicken, fried eggs, or meatballs.

How to Soak Beans

Canned beans don’t require soaking since they’ve already been cooked during the canning process. However, if you're working with dried beans, soaking is essential. Soaking dried beans helps with digestion and shortens the cooking time. There are two main methods to soak dried beans.

• Overnight soak: As the name suggests, you soak your beans overnight. Place the dried beans in a large pot and cover them with twice their volume in water. Put a lid on the pot and let them soak overnight.
• Quick soak: If you're short on time, this method works best. Bring the dried beans and water to a boil, then remove the pot from the heat. Let the beans sit in the hot water for one to four hours. The beans are ready when you can easily squeeze one between your fingers.

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 15.5-ounce can kidney beans, rinsed, or about 1/2 cup dried kidney beans, soaked and cooked

• ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning or blackening spice blend

• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 4 scallions, sliced

Instructions

Cook the rice:

Prepare the rice following the instructions on the package.

Sauté garlic, then add beans and seasoning to the skillet:

While the rice cooks, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Next, toss in the beans, Cajun seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add rice and scallions:

Stir the rice and scallions into the bean mixture.

Variations

Opt for brown rice. For added fiber and nutrients, swap white rice for long-grain brown rice in this recipe.

Try different beans. If you don't have kidney beans, experiment with red beans, cannellini beans, pinto beans, or even black beans. The flavor will shift, and you might discover a new favorite combination!

Incorporate herbs. For extra flavor, try adding soft herbs like chives, parsley, or cilantro to the beans and rice, either instead of or alongside scallions.

Change up the seasonings. Swap Cajun seasoning for paprika, cayenne, or Old Bay for a different flavor twist.

What to Serve With Kidney Beans and Rice

What makes this healthy, filling dish so fantastic is its versatility and affordability. Serve kidney beans and rice as a quick main course with shredded rotisserie chicken and a splash of hot sauce, or pair it with heartier dishes to create a full meal. It goes wonderfully with grilled sausage, barbecued ribs, cornbread, gumbo, collard greens, and blackened fish.

How to Store Leftover Kidney Beans and Rice

To keep the dish fresh, store the beans and rice separately to avoid them becoming mushy. Let them cool completely, then place each in its own tightly sealed food storage container. Refrigerate for up to a week.

To freeze, portion out cooled rice into single servings in freezer-safe containers, then add the desired amount of cooled beans on top. Seal the containers tightly. When stored this way, beans and rice can be kept in the freezer for up to three months.

6 More Canned Bean Recipes To Try

• Turkey-Pumpkin Chili
• Skillet Pork Chops and Beans
• Fast Italian Fish Stew
• Green Chile Enchiladas
• Buttery Shrimp with Marinated White Beans
• One-Pot Chicken Sausage and Beans

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is kidney beans and rice a healthy dish?

  Yes, kidney beans and rice is a healthy choice. Beans are rich in fiber, protein, and micronutrients, which contribute to heart health and improve digestion.

• Which beans are the healthiest?

  While all beans are nutritious, kidney beans stand out as one of the healthiest varieties, along with black beans, navy beans, pinto beans, and lupini beans.