Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil
A creamy, aromatic vegetarian twist on the classic Jamaican dish, featuring tender rice infused with coconut milk and smoky black beans. This Jamaican-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs long-grain white rice, black beans, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, rinsed long-grain white rice
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1/2 cup, full-fat coconut milk
- 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 4, thinly sliced scallions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat; add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add rice, thyme, black beans, coconut milk, and broth; stir to combine.
- Step 2: Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 3: Remove from heat; let rest covered for 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, then fold in scallions. Serve warm with extra scallions for garnish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep long-grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Coconut-Kissed Black Bean Rice & Peas with Scallion Oil?
Jamaican vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
