Healthy Mediterranean Rice and Beans

You can’t beat classic healthy Mediterranean rice and beans! This recipe is light and satisfying, with great wholesome flavor and bright herbs, all tossed together with simple pantry staples.

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If you’ve followed along here for long, you likely know that I love meals that come together quickly without skimping on flavor. However, I simply cannot resist a bowl of this rice and beans when I want something wholesome and low-effort. It’s a staple for a reason!

My recipe has no fancy twists or variations. This Mediterranean rice and beans is traditional, with a soft and fluffy base of rice and hearty beans scented with olive oil, fresh herbs, and a touch of citrus. A sprinkle of feta cheese is optional, in my opinion, but it adds a delicious creamy kick. And so is a side of fresh veggies to serve alongside!

Ingredients in Mediterranean Rice and Beans

This ingredient setup keeps things simple while building fresh and balanced flavor.

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How to make Healthy Mediterranean Rice and Beans

This recipe comes together in a steady process and builds flavor step by step.

1. Cook the base aromatics

Start by heating olive oil in a large pan. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and slightly golden. Stir in garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. This step builds the main flavor base.

2. Add tomatoes

Pour in diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes. Let them soften and blend with the onion and garlic. This adds a light tangy layer to the dish.

3. Add rice

Stir the rice into the pan and mix well so it gets coated with the oil and tomato mixture. This helps the grains absorb flavor early.

4. Pour in broth

Add vegetable broth and stir gently. Make sure the rice spreads evenly in the pan so it cooks at the same rate.

5. Season the mixture

Sprinkle in oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir lightly so the seasoning spreads throughout the dish.

6. Simmer until tender

Cover and let the rice cook on low heat until it becomes soft and absorbs the liquid. Avoid stirring too much during this step to keep the texture right.

7. Add beans

Once the rice is cooked, fold in the beans gently. Let them warm through without overmixing.

8. Finish with lemon and herbs

Turn off the heat and add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Stir lightly and let the flavors settle before serving.

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How to serve Mediterranean Rice and Beans

A simple way to enjoy this dish is warm right after cooking. The rice stays soft while the beans add a creamy texture, making it feel like a complete meal on its own.

For a more balanced plate, serve it alongside grilled vegetables or a light salad. The fresh sides pair well with the warm and hearty base.

This dish also works great for meal prep. Portion it into containers and reheat when needed, as it keeps its flavor and texture quite well.

Recipe Tips

• Washing the rice removes extra starch and helps keep the grains light and separate.
• A better oil adds more flavor and improves the overall taste of the dish.
• Keep an eye on the cooking time so the rice stays soft but not mushy.
• Adding beans later keeps them from breaking apart during cooking.
• Add more or less lemon juice depending on how bright you want the flavor.
• A short rest helps the flavors settle and improves the final texture.

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Healthy Mediterranean Rice and Beans

Recipe by Amara CatherineCourse: DinnerCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 cup long grain rice

• 1 can beans drained

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small onion chopped

• 2 cloves garlic minced

• 1 cup diced tomatoes

• 2 cups vegetable broth

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 2 tablespoons parsley chopped

• Salt and black pepper to taste

Directions

• Cook the base aromatics:
  Start by heating olive oil in a large pan. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and slightly golden. Stir in garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. This step builds the main flavor base.
• Add tomatoes:
  Pour in diced tomatoes and cook for a few minutes. Let them soften and blend with the onion and garlic. This adds a light tangy layer to the dish.
• Add rice:
  Stir the rice into the pan and mix well so it gets coated with the oil and tomato mixture. This helps the grains absorb flavor early.
• Pour in broth:
  Add vegetable broth and stir gently. Make sure the rice spreads evenly in the pan so it cooks at the same rate.
• Season the mixture:
  Sprinkle in oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir lightly so the seasoning spreads throughout the dish.
• Simmer until tender:
  Cover and let the rice cook on low heat until it becomes soft and absorbs the liquid. Avoid stirring too much during this step to keep the texture right.
• Add beans:
  Once the rice is cooked, fold in the beans gently. Let them warm through without overmixing.
• Finish with lemon and herbs:
  Turn off the heat and add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Stir lightly and let the flavors settle before serving.