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Home / Types / African Recipes / African Dinner

African Rice and Beans

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Published:8/28/2020Updated:8/28/2020

African Rice and Beans — spicy flavorful rice and beans combo flavored with onions, thyme, smoked paprika and garlic. 

As a child, rice was not one of my favorite meal (shocker right?), considering the fact that most kids go bananas for it. Not me. The only time I truly enjoyed rice is when paired with beans. On the flip side, I love love beans- still do. I cannot let a month pass , without cooking up some good old beans like this one here. And if you happen to do a search on beans here you see I have plenty around here.

In most parts of West Africa , beans are cooked  separate from rice . It’s not fairly common to see rice and beans cooked together.

The inspiration of this dish is from Ghanaian dish Waakye – A rustic dish made with rice ,  beans(black-eyed peas )  and  kanwa .

Here is my version of this spicy flavorful rice and beans. While I absolutely love smoked meat or fish in my beans; I thought it would to a good idea to make this without any fish. However, if you have crayfish do include them to make up for the loss of the smoky flavor.

I did not include crayfish in this version. I added some smoked paprika to make it tastier and it always does the trick.

Serve it with this chicken here

Enjoy.!!!

This recipe was update March 17  from Waakye to African rice and beans.

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African Rice and Beans

African Rice and Beans -- spicy flavorful rice and beans combo flavored with onions, thyme, smoked paprika and garlic. 
4.91 from 11 votes
Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35 mins
Total: 50 mins
African
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • ½ cup red / palm / or canola oil I used ½ and ½
  • 2-3 garlic clove minced
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ scotch bonnet pepper or ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 tomatoes diced
  • 2 cups washed long grain rice I used basmati
  • 2 cups cooked beans black, red, black-eyed peas
  • 4 1/2 - 5 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon salt or more to taste
  • 1/4 cup crayfish optional
  • 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon optional

Instructions

  • Heat a saucepan with oil. Then add onions, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika and hot pepper, sauté for about a minute, add tomatoes. Cook for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Stir in rice to the pan; continue stirring for about 2 minutes.
  • Then add beans , 4 1/2 cups of chicken stock/water, bring to a boil reduce heat, and simmer until rice is cooked, about 18 minutes or more. Adjust for salt and pepper. You have to stir occasionally to be preventing any burns.
  • Serve warm with chicken, stew or vegetables

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 487kcal (24%)| Carbohydrates: 65g (22%)| Protein: 11g (22%)| Fat: 19g (29%)| Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)| Cholesterol: 13mg (4%)| Sodium: 1181mg (51%)| Potassium: 351mg (10%)| Fiber: 6g (25%)| Sugar: 1g (1%)| Vitamin A: 575IU (12%)| Vitamin C: 2.9mg (4%)| Calcium: 50mg (5%)| Iron: 2.3mg (13%)
Author: Immaculate Bites
Course: Main
Cuisine: African
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Nutrition Facts
African Rice and Beans
Amount Per Serving
Calories 487 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 1181mg51%
Potassium 351mg10%
Carbohydrates 65g22%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 11g22%
Vitamin A 575IU12%
Vitamin C 2.9mg4%
Calcium 50mg5%
Iron 2.3mg13%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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    Comments & Reviews
    1. Jernine says

      Posted on 1/9 at 9:46PM

      I can’t wait to try this recipe! As a vegetarian should I use water or vegetable broth?

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 1/10 at 7:30AM

        I would go with vegetarian stock. Enjoy!!

        Reply
    2. Erica Owusu Nortey says

      Posted on 9/28 at 12:36PM

      I love this recipe so much

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 9/28 at 2:24PM

        Glad you do. Thanks so much!

        Reply
    3. Karen says

      Posted on 9/23 at 9:57PM

      This was so good! Thanks for sharing your talent and recipes!

      Reply
    4. Amy says

      Posted on 1/8 at 11:57AM

      Do you cook two cups of dry beans or use two cups of beans that have already been cooked? (I hope I’m wording that correctly!!)

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 1/8 at 7:19PM

        Hi Amy! It’s cooked beans . Canned beans would would work as well.

        Reply
    5. Angelica says

      Posted on 9/9 at 4:50PM

      Am I adding four different kinds of beans? Or can I just use the black eyed peas.

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 9/9 at 5:45PM

        Just use the black eyed peas.

        Reply
    6. Ama says

      Posted on 8/9 at 5:55AM

      I just made this last night and have already sent this recipe to my sister and made one of my friends who love spicy food try it. Although I don’t have any African family left around me, I’m always looking to try different dishes that my mum might have made when she was here and I know she would have loved this dish.

      I made it with black eyed beans yesterday night and by lunchtime today I’ve finished the whole pot! I had it with grilled jerk chicken breasts and it was divine. It will definitely become a firm favourite and if you can recommend any other African spicy flavoursome dishes please do! I will post a picture on my instagram so if you have an instagram let me know your name and I’ll tag you.

      IT WAS DIVINE! I never leave reviews but I simply had to!

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 8/9 at 6:32AM

        Aww..Am so honored Ama! Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a glowing review. Pleased to hear it worked out well for you. Here are some of a few to get you going. https://www.africanbites.com/chicken-stew-african-style/, https://www.africanbites.com/hot-potatoesafrican-stewed-potatoes/, https://www.africanbites.com/poulet-d-g/, https://www.africanbites.com/plantains-beans/, Let me know if you need more or anything specific you are looking for .
        Happy Cooking !!!

        Reply
        • Ama Sulter says

          Posted on 8/10 at 10:19AM

          Cannot wait to try these! Thank you so much. Really happy I’ve found your site!

          Reply
          • ImmaculateBites says

            Posted on 8/13 at 5:44AM

            Hi Ama! Glad to have you on board . Do let me know which ones you try out .

            Reply
    7. Susan says

      Posted on 8/4 at 11:52PM

      Am going to give it a try this Sunday..you are the best

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 8/5 at 5:43AM

        Thanks Susan! Do let me know how it works out for you!
        Happy Cooking !!!

        Reply
    8. Hoor says

      Posted on 5/15 at 3:26PM

      Do u soakand pre boil the beans? Would canned beans be okay?

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 5/17 at 9:19AM

        Yes, I presoak the beans before boiling. Canned beans would do just fine.

        Reply
    9. Abdullah says

      Posted on 4/16 at 2:11AM

      Enjoyed the West African variety of black-eyed beans. Egyptian varies mostly with type of spices cardamon, garlic and pinch of cumin. We cook down the tomato onion meat mixture to absorb moisture before adding to cooked beans. I added some of your spices as I cook now. Thanks much.

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 4/17 at 8:39AM

        Awesome! Thanks for sharing your tips with us.

        Reply
    10. maame says

      Posted on 3/17 at 10:37AM

      if you don’t mind: waakye isn’t cooked with onions and oil. it is beans normally the black eyes ones with waakye leaves and rice

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 3/17 at 11:21AM

        Thanks! Noted.

        Reply
    11. Yola says

      Posted on 1/22 at 1:47PM

      Your meals are a flavorful! My family enjoys them. Thanks
      I’m in the process of cooking

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 1/22 at 7:18PM

        Awesome! Thanks for letting me know .Happy Cooking!!!

        Reply
    12. Denah says

      Posted on 3/17 at 11:17PM

      Looks like someone is using your images without citing http://pikachakula.com/recipe/african-rice-beans-waakye/.

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 3/18 at 11:28AM

        Thanks for looking out! Will email them.

        Reply
    13. Angela says

      Posted on 3/6 at 12:18PM

      excellent recipe, exactly the results i wanted thank you

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 3/6 at 4:37PM

        Glad it worked out well for you.

        Reply
    14. Lauren says

      Posted on 2/28 at 11:52AM

      Will this dish work of the rice is already cooked?

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 2/29 at 4:34AM

        It’s going to be different and you can only add the rice towards the end so it does’t get too mushy

        Reply
    15. Chan says

      Posted on 1/3 at 9:31PM

      Always a win with my husband AND son (3).

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 1/4 at 10:26AM

        Yay!

        Reply
    16. Toni says

      Posted on 11/22 at 11:57AM

      I love all your dishes. I probably have the most advanced pallet in my family and love trying new flavors and dishes. These rice and bean recipes are perfect for easing my family into more robust flavors. Your carribean coconut rice and beans are my family favorite. I make it every weekend and a stewed type meat and we eat on it all week long. I can’t make enough of it sometimes. Thank you for sharing and your recipes are very easy to follow. Thank you!!

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 11/23 at 11:58AM

        Oh wow Toni…..what a compliment! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know!! I am in the same boat as you with the most advanced pallet and love trying out different flavors. Your family must be happy to have you!

        Reply
    17. Joe says

      Posted on 5/1 at 4:07PM

      I beg to differ. This is not Waakye. This just Jollof Rice with beans added. Waakye is just plain rice with beans, a derivative of Salt Petre and a leave that colors the dish. This is eaten with a hot sauce with tomato stew with meat.

      Reply
    18. ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/20 at 1:22PM

      Adam, there are quite a few recipes on the blog that cover the essence of WestAfrican dishes- here are a few Ugali -http://africanbites.com/?p=12075, Jollof rice http://africanbites.com/?p= Kati Kati- 96, http://africanbites.com/? Githeri p=9466, http://africanbites.com/?p=5363. Let me know what you think.

      Reply
    19. Adam says

      Posted on 1/14 at 1:46PM

      I came across this recipe looking for things for black history month for the youth experience. I will definetly try this recipe, and if you can provide anymore that are simple but cover the essence of west africa/ pre-slave/ traditional pre-america african dishes, I would greatly appreciate it.

      Reply
    20. Stephanie says

      Posted on 1/7 at 8:21AM

      I don’t usually comment on blogs/websites, but I LOVE this recipe. I’ve made it 3 times already. This is by far the best rice and bean recipe I’ve found.

      Reply
      • ImmaculateBites says

        Posted on 1/7 at 9:54AM

        Aww, thanks Stephanie. It is good to know it has become a favorite of yours. So appreciate taking the time to comment.

        Reply
    21. Philippe says

      Posted on 10/11 at 11:36PM

      In Haiti, we have something similar, it’s call haitian rice and beans or in creole (diri kolé ak pwa). It is almost the same thing beside the hot pepper; since I love hot and spicy food. I will totally give it a try.

      Reply
    22. CakePants says

      Posted on 5/28 at 3:20PM

      I came across your recipe on Foodgawker – this looks like such a flavorful and hearty meal!

      Reply
    23. Naa says

      Posted on 5/28 at 1:04PM

      Mekia you so are right. Recipe is slightly different from what am used to but can’t wait to try this on Saturday. Waakye is a Saturday thing in my home.

      Reply
    24. Mekia says

      Posted on 5/23 at 12:08PM

      This looks much better than the one I grew up eating . Will definitely try this out!

      Reply

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