Nigerian cuisine is noted for its rich and savoury dishes, and one of the most famous is Nigerian Rice and Beans. This dish is a staple in many Nigerian families. It is simple, delicious, and easy to prepare. Here, you will learn simple steps on how to cook white rice and beans together in Nigeria.

What is Rice and Beans?

Although rice and beans are two distinct dishes that may be cooked and eaten differently, the truth is that combining them with a little salt and butter/oil has a different effect.

Nigerian Rice and Beans can be served as a main or side dish. It goes nicely with meats, stews, atta din-din, chicken stew, fish stew, and vegetables. You may also top it with fried plantains for a sweet and savoury twist. 

About Nigerian Beans

To make rice and beans, Nigerians mostly make use of use of black-eyed peas, but other bean varieties such as black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, or red beans can also be used. 

Brown rice, which has a slightly nutty flavour, or other popular rice types like Jasmine or Basmati rice can also be used. However, cooking time and temperature should be adjusted.

Ingredients for Making Rice and Beans

The ingredients include: 

Rice: You can use any variety of rice, including long grain, short grain, basmati, and others.

Beans take longer to cook than rice, so cook them first before adding the rice.

Onions:  Add these for flavour and sweetness. 

Salt: Add salt to taste.

Butter, coconut oil, peanut oil – you can make use of tasty oils/fats to enhance the flavour of a meal. It also helps the rice and beans produce well-separated grains.

Water: Yes, use water rather than stock because this meal is not consumed alone. It is always served with excellent soups and stews.

How to cook Rice and Beans?

Step 1: Pick the beans, rinse them, and cook for about 40-45 minutes on medium-high heat, or until tender but not mushy.

Step 2: Add diced onions and cover with water. Allow it to cook for 40-45 minutes over medium-high heat, or until the beans are nearly done. When it becomes almost soft, you know it’s almost done.

Step 3: Rinse the rice many times until the water is clean, then add it to the beans with butter/oil and salt to taste. Cook until finished.

Step 4: Serve with your preferred sauce, soup, or stew.

Additional Tips

Before using your beans, make sure they have been properly harvested and cleaned. Chewing on decaying beans or stones is not always an enjoyable experience.

It’s not recommended to drain your beans when you cook because you need to use organic beans. However, you need to be aware that some beans contain pesticides, and the water can become dark and foul. If this is the case, please drain the beans halfway through the cooking period, rinse them, and refill them with clean water before continuing to cook.

Soaking your beans may be a good idea because, according to research, it reduces the gas-producing qualities of the beans and shortens the cooking time slightly. If you don’t have any gas problems, you can cook it right away without soaking it.