Easy Arroz Moros Recipe (Cuban Black Beans and Rice)
Share and Spread Healthy Recipes!
Craving a tasty Cuban classic? Try this easy Arroz Moros recipe—a perfect mix of seasoned black beans and fluffy white rice. Known as “Moros y Cristianos,” this dish is full of flavor and incredibly comforting. Follow these simple steps to make authentic Cuban black beans and rice right at home.
Keep reading to learn tips for using an Instant Pot or the traditional stovetop method. I’ll also cover the biggest difference between this dish and its close cousins, provide storage tips, and show you how to serve it as a main course or your new favorite side dish.
After I lost 125 pounds, I started traveling more, and since I enjoy a vegan diet, I often eat beans and rice. We’ve heard it called arroz moro, arroz congri, and moro negro. Regardless of what it’s called, we really enjoyed this dish in the Dominican Republic.
I’ve been on a mission to recreate arroz moros, and I think I’ve nailed it. This recipe is delicious and straightforward. I especially love making it in the Instant Pot to save time.
But, before I show you how to make this arroz moros recipe, please take a quick second to subscribe to the Intentionally Eat newsletter. It contains tips and recipes to help you live your healthiest life, plus you’ll get a free Eat Clean, Feel Great food guide to show you which foods you should eat for optimum health.
What is Arroz Moros
This dish is a staple in Cuban households and restaurants, known for its rich taste and cultural significance. It’s also known as Moros y Cristianos.
Unlike arroz con frijoles, where beans and rice are cooked separately, Moros y Cristianos or Arroz Moros involves cooking them together, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
If you’re wondering why it’s also called Moros Y Cristianos, the name is a nod to Spain’s history, symbolizing the “Moors” (black beans) and “Christians” (white rice) living together in harmony, just like the ingredients in the pot.
Ingredient List
This easy Arroz Moros recipe brings the authentic taste of Cuban food to your kitchen. This dish offers a delicious flavor using simple ingredients.
- Long-grain white rice, rinsed
- Canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- Onion, finely chopped
- Green bell pepper, chopped
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Vegetable broth
- Olive oil
- Ground cumin
- Oregano
- Bay leaves
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper
- White vinegar
- Cilantro, optional
How to Make
Here’s how to make this easy Arroz Moros recipe:
Traditional Method
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. You could omit the oil and use veggie broth instead.
- Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic.
- Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5–7 minutes.
Step 2: Add Spices and Rice
- Stir in the ground cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring to coat the grains with the spice mixture.
Step 3: Incorporate the Beans and Liquid
- Add the cooked black beans and 2 cups of water (or veggie broth) to the pot.
- Add the white vinegar and stir until all ingredients are combined.
Step 4: Cook
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20–25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
- Remove the pot from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, remove the bay leaves, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
Instant Pot Method
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
- Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil. Once hot, add chopped onion, chopped green bell pepper, and minced garlic.
- Cook for about 3–5 minutes until softened.
Step 2: Add Spices
- Stir in cumin, oregano, paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Let cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
Step 3: Add Rice and Beans
- Stir in the rinsed long grain rice, canned beans, broth, and white vinegar.
- Scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze and avoid the “burn” warning.
Step 4: Pressure Cook
- Cancel sauté mode. Secure the lid and set the pressure cooker to Manual / Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Natural Release
- Once the cooking time is up, allow a 10-minute natural pressure release, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
Step 6: Fluff and Serve
- Remove bay leaves. Fluff the rice with a fork and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.
More Delicious Recipes:
Vegan Mexican Rice – Instant Pot
Mexican Dairy Free Pots de Creme
Pro Tips
- Dried Beans: For a more traditional approach, soak dry black beans overnight and cook them until tender before adding to the rice.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.
- Reheat: Sprinkle a little water over the rice and microwave covered, or reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water.
For more information about food safety and storage, go to www.foodsafety.gov.
Serving Suggestions
Arroz Moros is versatile and can be served in many ways, such as:
- Main course – you can enjoy this delicious recipe on its own. Top it with a little pico de Gallo, serve sweet plantains, Mexican fruit salad, or this Mexican Pots de Creme for dessert, and enjoy!
- Side dish – enjoy it with tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, or your favorite meal.
- Add – it to a taco salad, or stuff it into a green pepper.
If you enjoyed this easy Arroz Moros recipe or have tried any other recipe at Intentionally Eat, please leave a ⭐star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝comments below. Thanks for visiting, and be sure to get instant access to new recipes, weight loss tips, plus a FREE Eat Clean, Feel Great Food Guide here.
Arroz Moros Recipe (Cuban Black Beans and Rice)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1-2 bay leaves
- salt and pepper, to taste
Optional
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Traditional Method
- Sauté: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until soft, about 5-7 minutes.
- Season: Stir in cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
- Add rice and beans: Mix in the rice and stir to coat with seasonings. Add black beans and vegetable broth.
- Add: vinegar and bay leaves and stir to combine.
- Simmer: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
- Fluff and enjoy: Let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Remove bay leaves and garnish with cilantro if desired.
Instant Pot Method
- Sauté: Turn your Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Add olive oil. Once hot, add onion, green bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.
- Add spices: Stir in cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Let cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add rice and beans: Stir in the rinsed rice, black beans, vegetable broth, bay leaves, and vinegar. Scrape the bottom of the pot to deglaze and avoid a "burn" warning.
- Pressure cook: Cancel sauté mode. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual /Pressure Cook on High for 5 minutes.
- Natural release: Once the cooking time is up, allow a 10 minute natural release, then carefully release any remaining pressure manually.
- Fluff and serve: Remove bay leaves. Fluff the rice with a fork and let sit a few minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and enjoy.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Arroz Moros is versatile and can be served in many ways, such as:- Main course – you can enjoy this delicious recipe on its own. Top it with a little pico de Gallo, serve sweet plantains, Mexican fruit salad, or this Mexican Pots de Creme for dessert, and enjoy!
- Side dish – enjoy it with tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, or your favorite meal.
- Add – it to a taco salad, or stuff it into a green pepper.
Nutrition
Before I say goodbye, I encourage you to take a moment to find out how I went from obese to 125-pound lighter -and how you can reach your goals, too!
Hungry for more?
25 Easy Recipes with Tortillas Wraps
Healthy Homemade Corn Tortillas
How Long to Cook a Baked Potato
About The Author
Although Cindy has lost 125 pounds, her path to success was not easy. Go here to read her incredible story, “From Morbidly Obese to Losing 125 Pounds and Becoming a Health Coach.” If you want to send Cindy a quick message, visit her contact page here.
Pin this for later
I hope you enjoyed this Arroz Moros recipe and that you found it delicious!
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. The information provided on this blog is based on my personal experiences and research as a vegan recipe enthusiast. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. The recipes and tips shared on this blog are meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always prioritize your health and well-being by seeking personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.
