I’m always looking for new ways to cook the pantry classic rice and beans. This Spanish inspired rice and kidney beans recipe utilizes things I already have on hand with a ton of flavor!
This Spanish inspired rice and kidney beans recipe is super pantry friendly and it has flavors I don’t see in my kitchen every day. I love switching things up and I understand how rice and beans can feel like a one trick pony. But don’t be fooled or fall into the same old routine with them. On top of this recipe, I have a master list of 25 of the best rice and beans recipes and you’ll be shocked to find so much variety.
Spanish Rice is a Pantry Friendly Delight
I always say, use what you have on hand. So while this recipe says to use fresh onions and garlic, you definitely don’t have to! Garlic and onion powder are important pantry staples that can add a ton of flavor to any dish without adding extra cost. If you don’t have a basic spice rack I recommend this inexpensive one from Amazon. I also recommend just setting aside a few dollars a week to buy one spice at a time until you have a solid collection.
Additional Budget Friendly Swaps
In pantry friendly recipes like this, there are always a ton of budget swaps that can be made. Aside from just switching fresh onion and garlic for powdered, you can do the same with the parsley. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used dried parsley vs. fresh and the dish has turned out just fine.
This recipe also calls for chicken broth, but you can always use chicken bouillon or vegetable broth to make this a vegan dish. If you don’t have fresh lemon on hand, the kind you keep in the fridge is super budget friendly and will still add brightness to a dish like this. And last but not least, the fire roasted diced tomatoes, can be switched for a regular diced tomato, if that’s what you have.
Watch Me Make This Delicious Spanish Inspired Kidney Beans Recipe with Rice and More Cheap Meals!
This recipe is one of the quintessential pantry friendly recipes that will save you tons of money. You can watch me make this and two more pantry friendly meals on this youtube video or check out the blog here. If you are looking specifically for fast and cheap recipes I’d go check out these 15 recipes for $5 in under 10 minutes or this list of 25 of the best rice and beans recipes. No matter where you end up, you’ll be getting some great, cheap, and delicious recipes!
Spanish Inspired Rice and Kidney Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil or any oil you have on hand
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cans kidney beans drained and rinsed
- t tsp paprika
- 1 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups white or basmati rice
- 1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 cups chicken broth or bouillon or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup chopped green olives
Parsley Oil (Optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp parsley minced
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a large high rimmed pan over medium heat.
- Once hot, add the onion to the pan and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and dried spices to the pan and cook until aromatic for about 2 minutes stirring constantly.
- Add in beans, diced tomatoes, and broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and cover cooking for 25 minutes.
- While the rice and beans cook, make the parsley oil by mixing all of the oil ingredients together.
- Once the 25 minutes has passed check that the rice is fully cooked and top with the parsley oil and olives.
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