On the weekend, when I made the Cuban roast pork, lechon asado , I served it with some Cuban style black beans and rice make it a complete meal. Many different cultures seem to have their own version of a beans and rice dish and moros y cristianos, black beans and rice, is the Cuban version. This dish is really easy to make and it generally consists of onions, peppers, garlic and oregano that is simmered with the black beans, infusing the dish with some amazing aromas. Everything is simmered low and slow to let the flavours develop and it is cooked until the beans get tender and start to break apart making for one tasty and creamy dish. Dried black beans are commonly used for this dish but this version is a quicker one that uses canned beans making it a little easier to make, which is especially nice when making a large meal. These Cuban style black beans are tasty and satisfying enough to make for a complete meal all by themselves or they can be served as a side dish as I did when I served them with the lechon asado. This bean and rice recipe is definitely one to keep on hand for when looking for a light, healthy and tasty dish!
Cuban Black Beans and Rice (Moros y Cristianos)
A tasty Cuban style black beans and rice that is good as a side dish or a meatless main.
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper or banana pepper or cubanelle, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin, toasted and ground
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, drained and rinsed (or 3 cups cooked beans, from 1 cup dry)
- 1/2 cup water or ham broth or chicken broth or chicken stock
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 2 cups cooked rice
directions
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat, add the onion and pepper and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, cumin and oregano and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
- Add the beans and water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mix in the vinegar and cilantro, optionally mash 1/4 of the beans to make it creamy and served over steamed rice.
Tip: Add ham or bacon for an extra kick of flavour.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
March 8, 2013 at 7:11 pmI looove Cuban beans! This recipe is awesome!
Quirky Jessi says
March 8, 2013 at 7:28 pmI love Cuban rice and beans.
I'm kinda surprised to not see lime on the list, though. I've always had a fresh squeeze added to mine and I assumed it was pretty standard.
Kevin says
March 8, 2013 at 7:37 pmQuirky Jessi: This version contains cider vinegar rather than lime which is also nice. I did serve it with lime wedges to get that fresh hit of lime which is always good!
Mia says
March 9, 2013 at 1:30 amActually, what you have here is not moros y cristanos but frijoles negro y arroz. It is only moros y cristanos when you mix the rice and beans in cooking or right before serving. My abuela taught me that
Diane says
March 9, 2013 at 1:33 amWhat color bell pepper?
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
March 9, 2013 at 3:50 amI think this dish (whatever the technical name is) looks absolute delish! Black beans and rice are my favorite. Thank you for sharing on how to make it this way…definitely making it this way next time!
Joanne says
March 9, 2013 at 11:50 amI love how beans and rice is a staple in so many cultures! The Cuban version sounds super tasty.
Louanne Bertrand says
March 9, 2013 at 12:17 pmOoh, this dish makes me happy! I love black beans & rice, and your recipe is perfect for Lent. Need to pick up some black beans today. Great recipe, Kevin!
Island Woman MJ says
March 9, 2013 at 2:31 pmMy Dad used vinegar rather than lime; this was a wonderful memory lane walk, plus a reminder to make this again soon.
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
March 10, 2013 at 2:12 amBeans and rice is one of my most favorite duos!
Kevin says
March 11, 2013 at 12:35 amDiane: Any colour bell pepper will work; for this one I used half a green and half a red pepper.
Anonymous says
March 25, 2013 at 7:59 amHow might you make this with dried black beans?
Kevin says
March 25, 2013 at 8:44 amAnonymous: Soak the dried beans overnight, use them along with some extra water and simmer, covered, until tender, about 1-2 hours.