One-Pot Caribbean Coconut Rice with Black Beans

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A fragrant, creamy Caribbean-style coconut rice simmered with black beans and spices for a comforting side or light main dish. This Caribbean-inspired rice and grain recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs long grain white rice, canned black beans, drained and rinsed, coconut milk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 long grain white rice
• 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, and 1/2 tsp ground allspice, cooking for 1 minute until aromatic.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup long grain white rice to the pot and stir for 2 minutes to coat the grains with oil and spices.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup water, then add 1 cup drained and rinsed canned black beans, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Remove the pot from heat and let it stand covered for 5 minutes. Stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.