Jollof rice and beans can be a very tricky dish to prepare. Unlike our good old jollof rice, it is not a favourite to some. Don’t despair yet, it can really be delicious if cooked properly.

It is a one-pot dish that is popular across West Africa. Each region has its own variation, but all of them are nutritious and filling.

This particular recipe is from Nigeria. It can be cooked with different kinds of beans, but I prefer black-eyed peas because they cook quickly. I hope you try this delicious dish and let me know what you think!

Cook Time

Prep time	Cook time	Ready in	Yields
30 min	1 hour	1 hour 30 min	3 servings

Cooking Ingredients

2 1/2 cups long-grain rice

2 cups black-eyed peas

1/4 cup vegetable oil

Scotch bonnet, to taste

1/2 cup fresh prawns or ground dried crayfish

1 clove garlic

Salt, to taste

Curry powder, to taste

Thyme, to taste

Basil (optional)

1/2 cup tomato paste

1 onion

Meat chopped (enough to make a meat stock)

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the meat and make a meat stock. Set aside.

2. In a separate pot, boil the black-eyed peas till they are soft. Drain them in a colander.

3. Put hot water into a bowl. Add the rice to the hot water and cover it. Set aside. (Alternatively, you can parboil the rice and drain it in a colander.)

4. Heat some oil in a pot. Throw in the sliced onions and blended Scotch bonnet. Fry for one minute to bring out the flavour.

5. Add the curry powder and dry thyme.

6. Add the tomato paste and fry for some seconds. Stir continuously, taking care not to allow it to burn.

7. Add the meat stock you made and bring it to a boil.

8. Taste for salt.

9. Add salt (if needed), seasonings, ground-dried crayfish, or fresh prawns.

10. Add in the beans and then the rice (in that order).

11. Add the parboiled meat or fry it if you want.

12. Allow it to cook until the water has dried off. Check it to see if it is done. If it’s not, add a little more water and cover. Check the pot constantly; rice and beans tend to burn.

Can You Cook Dried Beans and Rice Together?

Cooking dried beans and rice together is not only possible but also a convenient and flavorful way to prepare a hearty meal. By combining these two staples in a single pot, you can create a dish that is both nutritious and satisfying.

However, it’s important to consider the cooking times of the beans and rice, as they may require different amounts of time to cook thoroughly.

To ensure that both ingredients are perfectly cooked, you may need to stagger their addition to the pot or partially pre-cook the beans before adding the rice.

Additionally, seasoning the dish with herbs, spices, and aromatics can enhance its flavour profile, resulting in a delicious one-pot meal that is ideal for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.