Bare Pantry Beans and Rice Recipe

Bare Pantry Beans and Rice

A simple, nutritious dish that adapts to whatever beans you have in your pantry, whether canned or dried.

Ingredients:

🍚 2 cups cooked white rice
🫘 2 cans (15.5 oz each) Kidney Beans or Dark Kidney Beans, undrained (Use the liquid from the cans—or see the dried bean alternative below)
🧈 1 tablespoon butter, olive oil, or vegetable oil
🌟 A few dashes of soy sauce (optional for added umami!)

---

Seasonings:

🧄 3 teaspoons garlic powder
🧅 2 teaspoons onion powder
🌶️ 1-2 teaspoons paprika (adjust for preference)
⚫ 1 teaspoon black pepper
🔥 Hot Sauce (e.g., Tabasco, optional, to taste)

---

Optional Add-Ins:

🍖 Meat Options:

• 🐷 Ham hock (for a smoky flavor)
• 🥓 Diced ham
• 🌭 Sausage slices (e.g., smoked or Andouille sausage)

---

Bonus Customization:

🍴 Sauces or Seasonings You Have on Hand:

• Fast food sauce packets (e.g., Arby’s Horsey Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Taco Bell Mild Sauce)
• Grilled hamburger seasonings or spice blends
• Ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce (small amounts for flavor boosts)
• Any leftover marinades, dips, or condiments

---

Alternative Beans for Flexibility:

Ranked by healthier sodium levels and what you’re likely to have on hand:
🥇 Dark Kidney Beans (10 mg sodium)
🥈 Pinto Beans (varies: 110–140 mg)
🥉 Black Beans (low-sodium options available)
🏅 Garbanzo Beans (varies by brand, great for a nutty twist)
🎖️ Red Beans (higher in sodium, approx. 350 mg per serving)

---

Instructions:

1. Cook the rice: 🍚
   Prepare 2 cups of rice as directed. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter or oil and optional soy sauce for extra richness.

2. Prepare the beans: 🫘

   • If using canned beans: Combine both cans of kidney beans, including the liquid, in a microwave-safe dish. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and a few dashes of Tabasco or other hot sauce. If adding meat, stir the cooked or reheated meat into the beans now. Heat in 3-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to evenly distribute heat and prevent overflowing. Total microwave time: 10-12 minutes.
   • If using dried beans: Soak 1 cup of dried beans (Kidney, Pinto, or Black Beans) overnight in water. Drain, rinse, and cook in fresh water until tender (about 1-2 hours stovetop or 25-30 minutes pressure cooker). Replace the canned liquid with 1 cup of diced tomatoes in tomato juice or low-sodium vegetable broth. Add seasonings as above and proceed with heating steps.

3. Let the beans and meat rest: ⏳
   After heating, cover the dish and let the beans and meat sit for 20-30 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld deeply into both the beans and the meat.

4. Combine and serve: 🍛
   Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beans and meat into the rice, adding the liquid gradually until you reach your desired consistency. Mix gently, cover, and let rest for a few minutes to blend flavors before serving.

5. Refrigerate for Best Results (Optional): 🛌
   Like a casserole, this dish benefits from resting overnight in the fridge. The flavors deepen, and the rice undergoes starch retrogradation, reducing its glycemic index and making it a healthier, well-rounded meal.

---

Keep It Simple: 🍴

The basics—rice, beans, and seasonings—are all you need for this dish. If you have extras, you can add meat (like ham or sausage) or experiment with other pantry staples, such as grill seasoning or fast-food sauces. But even in its simplest form, this Bare Pantry Recipe is delicious, filling, and incredibly easy to make.

---