How to Make Rice and Beans that Don't Suck | What to Cook to Save Tons of Money

[@xlady7772]

I was told to always keep any bean and rice in my pantry and it was a lesson that was a life saver

[@MealsWithMaria]

Absolutely!

[@chunkofbutter75]

My grandma had a pot of beans with almost every supper. She had a big family to feed. She stretched the meals with beans and biscuits. One of my favorite recipes I make often mostly for my lunch is MUJADARA. It is lentils and rice with crispy fried onions on top. The beauty is that the lentils as rice are cooked in one pot together. It is lovely. One of my Lebanese friends taught it to me and I am forever grateful.

[@MealsWithMaria]

That sounds delicious! Definitely good to take tips from grandma!

[@maricelisfigueroa856]

Sounds good

[@amya6736]

Love this!

[@amybraswell7632]

Could you post the recipe? TY😊

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Why have I never thought to cook my rice and lentils together? This can be a game changer, especially when using lentils as a meat substitute. I can totally see this working in Tex-Mex cooking, as well.

[@debiterry1940]

I can't tell you how much I admire you. Your a traditional wife and mother. It's refreshing to see. God bless you and your family.❤️❤️❤️

[@wayfarinstranger2444]

My frugal friends: For meals calling for celery, yes chop them up and freeze BUT save the root ends! Put them in water and put in sunlight they will grow back! Takes some time, but you will get more for your money!😊

[@carollizc]

Also, the leaves are a really great source of flavour. Rinse them off if you're not using them right away, and out in a basket with a paper towel. Later, crumble them and put them in a jar.

[@claudiasecco388]

True to both of you guys I always do that with celery and is like a bogo Buy one get one

[@LordKellicos]

What a cool idea for a video. I watch Dave Ramsay sometimes. I love rice and beans, but I can't eat the same thing every day, so this is great for ideas to mix it up!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

If you can add your variety through seasonings and toppings/add-ins, rice and beans can be eaten quite frequently and still provide variety. From soups, to fried rice, Tex-Mex, Italian, Indian, etc. You definitely can add variety that is also budget friendly.

[@ironrose888]

I really love your videos. 40+Years ago, I was so broke and couldn’t pay my bills. I took a class on how to save money on your food budget. She taught us how to transition to being vegetarian. It was a lot of beans & rice recipes. I have a rice cooker for the rice and a crock pot for the beans. I have been vegetarian since. 😃

[@AtlantaHospiceRN]

My hubby grew up with 4 brothers, 1sister in the 1950s. THIS was their basic meals with a cast iron pot of cornbread. I love beans & rice! Plus both keep well (preppers). Our town has a community services location where we can buy $10/order (up to two orders), lots of fresh fruits & veggies. (We got 20 onions 🧅 last week per each order). With runaway inflation it’s wonderful you are providing this excellent frugal content.

[@MealsWithMaria]

What a great deal on the produce!!! So happy you enjoy the content 🤗

[@graciousgirl5161]

Keep up the great work and I love watching your channel you're so humble and kind. My husband's family is from Puerto Rico, the best way to make rice and beans, is to just make sure you use garlic,onions, green peppers, and pulse it in a blender and add that to your canned beans pink beans or black beans. Also, when you make the rice add some oil of your choice & salt to the water. Don't be afraid to use chicken broth instead of just plain water to make a rice! There's also a lot of great inexpensive recipes online for quick Spanish rice and beans ideas. Much love, Rebecca from Florida

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you! I have a Dominican friend who made me her family recipe for rice and beans once, LIFE CHANGING!!!

[@MariaVargas-ed4xt]

The BEST condiment to add to arroz con gandules o habichelas is green sofrito!!!! Its SOOOOO good!

[@donnaclark7145]

what if you hate onions. more garlic?

[@WilletteB]

Hi Maria! We can never go wrong with rice and beans. We eat them pretty often and I keep a good supply of all kinds... Dry and canned. Thanks for sharing. With the price of food these days, we'll be eating them twice as much. Your baby is precious. Such a beautiful baby!!! Willette from Alabama

[@MealsWithMaria]

Aw thank you Willette! I agree 2x as much with the beans from now on with prices!

[@babswood2733]

I just love how you give permission to substitute ingredients. That works for me.

[@nesadcruz7840]

Natural yogurt can also be used in chickpea curry instead of coconut milk. I do that and we love it. Garnishing with cilantro is great for this curry too.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Oh that’s a great idea!!

[@hazelwilson7825]

Lidl’s sell coconut plain yogurt. Result ✅

[@realnurse2696]

My husband told me just this morning, we need to eat more rice and beans. I remembered saving this video to my watch later list! Thank you. 😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

👌👌👌

[@emazey5044]

Haha! Your husband's expectation re: rice and beans! I've been cooking vegetarian meals most of my adult life and people are always amazed at how delicious my food is lol! These are great recipes, thanks for sharing your little one's first food experience! 👍♥️

[@MealsWithMaria]

You definitely don’t need meat to make a delicious meal!

[@shubarose44]

Me too

[@krissiausomemom]

It’s a good thing ground beef is getting expensive my hubby doesn’t care for ground turkey

[@rhiahlMT]

If you are a younger parent, I'm not, these are meals you should be introducing your children to. There will be times in your life, you may have to draw your budget in (hello inflation, I went through it in the 1970s with 2 young ones). We grew up on them. Children will starve, literally, if they are suddenly confronted with unfamiliar foods. Even if you can afford other things. Make them as side dishes. It's the thing we ask my 90 year old father to make (it's easy for him to do, and he loves cooking) whenever he asks if he can make us something.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😁 it’s so special to have those comfort moods from childhood.

[@janetupdergraff1642]

As a vegetarian I eat rice and beans in some form everyday and I will be trying all these recipes but the first will be the chickpea stew. Thanks for the great ideas!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 so awesome! Enjoy!

[@bettyadkisson1681]

Yes thank you cause I bought 2 cases of the small 2oz jars of red peppers . I bought them too do double duties seeds, revamping more peppers, garlic, saves, tomato paste, and dried herbs, mini jellies& jams.

[@marthapetru2318]

Wow great new ideas for a 78 year old cook. Enjoyed your lovely family.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@deborahsantos6849]

I totally agree! Rice and beans are amazing and not at all boring - just gotta give them enough flavor! Survived all of college on them and still love ‘em!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@mommam.6101]

I've been told, and I found out the hard way, that if you salt beans before you cook them it toughens the skin and takes longer for them to get soft. I made one batch that never did get soft. So I always cook them and add salt later. I've never thought about freezing peppers. I've got some moldering in my refrigerator right now. Great idea!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀 freeze away!

[@pamelapacific943]

My (hard") beans never softened! Tried everything I could. Then I read a little book about cooking beans & it stated NEVER SALT YOUR BEANS BEFORE THEY ARE COOKED! & I NEVER HAD BEANS SO TENDER! TY!

[@mommam.6101]

@@pamelapacific943 This is what a I used to do in the 70s when I was in my health food phase. I read in a book that if you sprout beans it increases the vitamin content greatly. I also thought it improved the flavor too and they cooked faster. You just keep them damp in a shallow dish for a few days and when they just barely sprout they’re ready. If you let the sprouts get too big they look like maggots when you cook them and it’s not very appetizing. I don’t bother with health food anymore because I’m 82 years old and I’m too old to die young.

[@AZCanner]

@@pamelapacific943 I used to be a terrible bean cook. When I started pressure canning that all changed. I soak and cook according to the pressure canning instructions. I don't salt anything. They are tender before they are pressure canned and when I open the jar, they are just fine.

[@nesadcruz7840]

Beans and rice can be very versatile. There are so many ways you can make them. One of my favourites is this one pot black eyed peas dish. You can add other veg to it like carrots and red peppers or frozen veg. It can be made on the stove top or rice cooker too. I garnish it with cilantro or green onion.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yum! That sounds great!

[@nesadcruz7840]

@@MealsWithMaria here is the video kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXq1o3R-g9ONq9U I hope you try it

[@gracekennelly8534]

I like to add some grated 🥕 carrots to my meals if I have some on hand. It adds nutritional value, and the colour is lovely 😊 ! I Heard of your channel through Prepper Princess 👸🐕! I’m from Canada 🇨🇦 eh! Lol! 💚

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀 that’s awesome! I’m so glad you’re here! I love my Canadian friends!

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’d also love to know what video she mentions me in? I was trying to find it but no luck yet. Thank you for letting me know!! ❤️

[@lararabb8888]

If your family will just die if they don't have meat you can add ground meats or a Polish sausage. Using as little as you can get by with. But these ideas are great for a meatless Monday.

[@sylvianobles4983]

What a blessing you have a beautiful family they are precious

[@BrowneyedGirlmjd]

Sorry but you need to include a warning in your screenshot for “cuteness overload” for this video!!! Just sayin’. 😁 Thanks again for another compassionate and understanding helping people who may be in a tough spot when it comes to feeding their families. No judging. Just a safe place. I’ve been reminding my friends that not only do we need to be profoundly grateful for how blessed we are, we need to pay it forward. And for someone like me who absolutely hates to cook these are awesome because they’re easy and will be delicious.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😂 he is a cuteness overload, it’s true! I love sharing these videos so much! It’s icing on the cake that they help people 🙏🙏

[@Inana_Beth]

@@MealsWithMaria ,

[@BrightAsAButton]

MIllions of people have survived and thrived on rice and been for generations! Extra ingredients are a flavourful bonus.

[@lynchfamily4781]

Black Bean soup has become a regular in our rotation recently just because its so affordable, and in the instant pot I can have it made in about an hour, we like ours with a little lime juice too, and Its approved by all 4 kids...15,13,5,4 Another GREAT video!!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you! We’ll definitely be eating it more often!

[@katmoore4465]

You can use celery seed in place of fresh chopped celery to get that flavor.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Great idea!

[@kerrievans8263]

Try Indian lentils, too. I love for breakfast with eggs and tortillas (cheaper than chapati)

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yum! That sounds delicious! I love a savory breakfast 😀

[@kerrievans8263]

@@MealsWithMaria i do the same thing for lunch sometimes and add fresh cucumber and tomato slices

[@thefirstnoob5577]

I love beans. I store any beans I can find.

[@MealsWithMaria]

So good!

[@michelesusanne1]

Soaking your beans dramatically cuts down on cook time, as well as makes them easier on your stomach. Nice meal ideas.

[@jmallory101210]

Yes and sometimes there’s small pebbles in there by accident!!!

[@lisaward3890]

Yes,anything to reduce flatulence! I soak my dry beans in 2 tablespoons baking soda to the soak water,then rinse off,place fresh water and rinsed beans in cooking pot till water covers beans by 2 inches above beans to be cooked!

[@iserrano397]

I make rice and beans and beans with rice all the time, I'm Puertorrican and that's what we eat most some times we make chicken or pork chops or the meat you prefer but eating the rice and beans alone is good and tasty our sofrito and spices give the beans a good taste try it sometime 👍🏻

[@MealsWithMaria]

I have a friend who is Dominican and makes them that way! My mind was blown with how delicious that meal was 😍

[@iserrano397]

@@MealsWithMaria Yes they cook good to I have friends who are Dominicans and they have good seasoning it's good to try variety of culture food and you would never get bored God bless you and your family 🥰

[@barbarapfieffer297]

I love this series of videos of using one ingredient multiple ways. Please keep it up!

[@MsGoddess4]

Your baby is so adorable.

[@walbiramurray5762]

Great recipes, thank you. I now grow celery, but when I used to buy it the bunches were too big for me to use all up. I used to just chop and freeze in recipe sized bags. No waste and all ways ready when I needed it. Your baby is just so cute.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Maybe not the best price, but certainly affordable and convenient, Walmart sells a frozen Seasoning Blend that includes onions, bell peppers, celery and parsley flakes. It's perfect for a beans and rice, and I have found it to be a game changer in my chili.

[@paulandbenny]

We love Dave Ramsey but we agree with you- Beans and rice are sooo GOOD! Especially with cornbread like you served it 👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yummmmmm!!!

[@michelleschweizer9000]

That little baby is scrumptious ❤️

[@sweetsadie6261]

These look really good.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you! Enjoy!

[@janeadams5207]

ooo the curry looks amazing.

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀😀

[@christeenprice5637]

Awesome recipes, thanks for sharing ❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!

[@DaleRussell2]

You’re really growing on me. 😂 Loving your recipes!!! 👍

[@jrmint2]

your family eats so healthy!

[@wisediamond830]

Excellent recipes...Thank you so much!

[@cindyg5064]

Great recipes! Thank you for this!

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!

[@hbhb7900]

I love black and kidney beans. I will eat any bean, but those make a great sauce when they cook.

[@DaleRussell2]

More great ideas. Love them. 👏

[@FlashGeiger]

I make a similar curry, but throw in cauliflower. For lunch from leftovers ... heat and put into a pita pocket.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yum! Cauliflower is delicious!

[@tracydimond3759]

I make 2lbs of black eyed peas using the quick soak method. It's written on the package for the peas. I also look for a good deal on ham hocks, smoked neck bones, or small pkgs of ham. I add that in the pot. I use a Goya ham season pkt, garlic and onion powder ( hubby won't eat onion, no prob with the powder though), salt and pepper to taste. And I make jiffy cornbread to go with. There's just two of us so this last several days and is filling( especially if you mix in a piece of cornbread with your bowl of peas, like I do)

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’d love to find a deal on ham hocks. They are supposed to be inexpensive but they always seem outlandishly priced when I try to buy them 🤷‍♀️

[@roseabad5239]

Wow thanks sharing your good recipe rice and beans your dish so delicious for Your family's

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome!!

[@tammyr2966]

All of these meals look delicious! I am always at a loss as how to cook different beans! And the best part, like you said, is they are so inexpensive!

[@MealsWithMaria]

A little bit of love goes a long way with beans!

[@tammyr2966]

@@MealsWithMaria so very true!❤️💕

[@AnaCarolNasc]

in Brazil, rice and beans are the basis of our daily diet!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Such good stuff!

[@joanmiddleton4633]

I just found your site snd love your your budjet ideás.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay! I’m so glad you’re here!

[@mylifemadesimple2686]

Your beans and rice recipe looks sooo good. I'm going to do that this week. I always have rice and beans cooked in my freezer. Thank you so much for the recipe!!!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay that’s awesome! It’s such a good one!

[@cindyferrara6022]

I can't believe how big Ben is, Tommy is adorable watching his little brother. Another great video!!! 👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 Tommy loves his little brother it’s very cute

[@AnitaDiaz_JazzSinger]

It’s all in the seasonings.

[@allyrooh3628]

I hate pealing/cutting onions! I buy about 6 months worth, put on my onion cutting goggles, chop em up and freeze them in little snack size baggies. My hubby laughs out loud at me when he sees the goggles coming out! I buy minced onion for the times I'm too lazy to even get them out of the freezer. Don't you love when the fam thanks you for dinner!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Omg that’s too funny!

[@TheJjtea]

Thank you so much for these recipes. I was looking for cheap and easy as I'm on a budget. Yours was the only one I found so far that had just staple ingredients. And thanks for mentioning alternatives. ♥️

[@tammifields4142]

Thanks for sharing some Yummy meals and options!😋😋

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome Tammi!

[@bobbettenacco1012]

Great video!!!!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you Bobbette!

[@jgodwin717]

Amazing!!! Thank you! Nutritious too. Rice and beans makes a complete protein so i use them on our meatless nights. Not vegan nor vegetarian, just saving money on meat and our lil 13 year old doesn't like a lot of meat so she's happy when its veggies with beans and rice 😉 Also so sweet to see his 1st big boy meal 💖

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome! Hope you got some good ideas for those meatless nights!

[@angelafleming3328]

Thank you I need to practice more with rice and beans I have 40 pounds of both and really need to figure out how to use them more.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay! Another rice and beans video coming on Friday 😃

[@angelafleming3328]

@@MealsWithMaria great will be watching.

[@cathyholt5215]

Yay! Loved these

[@doloressandovalmartinez9642]

Nice, I like eating beans with veggies and rice 🍚 thanks for the tips 😊

[@shirleyfoster5561]

Love your recipes ❤

[@tonifloerchinger3462]

Thanks so very much...been looking for this type of thing to cook! You are my new super hero!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😬 you’re welcome!

[@lindathompson1894]

It must be really great to have a husband to praise and thank you for what you do. I use to have one of those but after 42 years he never says a thing is good or thank you. Good luck with your next decades.

[@barbarajohnson7782]

Great recipes Maria, thanks so much. The baby is growing up so fast.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Too fast!!!

[@brendarobertson7206]

Dear Maria, Please be careful about worn or burned cookware as this is very bad for your health. I love your meals and seeing you and your kids. Great ideas for budget friendly planning.

[@MealsWithMaria]

That’s a good point. I do have a few loved pans that need replacing 😀

[@AndreaMartinez-rj2iw]

You actually can cook them on high in about 4-5 hours, if you start with already boiling water. I have done this several times in my 4 qt crockpot and it turns out great. Most times I start with boiling water to get them cooked faster, unless I'm adding them to leftover broth from another crockpot meal and the broth is still hot.

[@Leelee...]

Fantastic recipes!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@amberleestevens2052]

Love it!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you Amber!

[@Okinawanveganchef]

Beans and rice! Hearty, heart healthy, tons of nutrients and protein packed🌱 Enjoyed your video 👍🏼

[@MealsWithMaria]

So glad!!

[@mauramarcus152]

I make my own garam masala with some: freshly grated nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, turmuric, cardamom, ground black pepper.

[@shaunah.creations9233]

We just had a Spanish beans and rice recipe tonight! It was cheap also delicious 😄 ps- we love Dave Ramsey for our budget advisor.

[@cathyfeigert5660]

These look delicious!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@pigletsbank437]

The meals look amazing! 😍

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you!

[@pigletsbank437]

@@MealsWithMaria I suggested the other day to use flower instead of breadcrumbs in meatloaf. I made it this week 500 grams of minced pork, 2 eggs 4 table spoons of flower. I filled the stuffing with one raw grated large carrot 🥕and a finely chopped celery stick and 1onion 🧅. This will stretch the meat loaf. It wil be for about ten servings. Bonus tip : Some small🥔 cooked potato cubes, leftover rice/pasta or cooked veggies can go in it as well. Or leftover mashed beans. Delicious with cabbage or coleslaw on the side. But remember to use an extra egg 🥚to bind it!!! .

[@kerrievans8263]

I. Going to make the chickpea curry, thanks!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yay!!!

[@myriamcarcas2379]

Looks delicious 😋

[@amysaunders4589]

Wow everything looks delicious 😋 I’m going to try your recipe’s. Thanks for sharing 👩🏽‍🦱👍

[@MealsWithMaria]

You’re welcome! Enjoy!

[@cinnamonstafford2171]

Good ideas. Just a suggestion- put a kitchen towel (or wet paper towel) under the cutting board so it doesn’t move while you are cutting

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you! I definitely need to 🤦‍♀️

[@maryegerton6848]

Sooo good!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@PeiPeisMom]

As an intentional vegan, I really appreciate those "accidentally vegan" moments. Thanks for the video!🥰

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

I think the trick with rinsing your beans is to pick out any small rocks that faked out the sorting machine.

[@MealsWithMaria]

I can see how that’s important

[@hazelwilson7825]

Do you find any difference in flavour when you cook garlic with the oil in the beginning or when you add it with other ingredients after ?

[@MealsWithMaria]

You know, I can never really tell 🤷‍♀️

[@angelahamon6730]

New subscriber here to thank you for the content

[@MealsWithMaria]

I’m so glad you’re here! Glad you like it!

[@cindynok]

All of your beans look amazing! Loved seeing the baby try food. Thank you, I am adjusting the recipes for Weight Watchers diet, is just me and will freeze into several meals.

[@totrabon4611]

Here’s a tip...if you put a wet paper towel under your cutting board, it won’t move. 😁

[@atdepaulis]

Lol love it! Dave said his “bean and rice” meal was tuna sandwiches… and that he had them so much he cringes at the thought 💭🤣

[@MealsWithMaria]

😂

[@marydrummond8832]

Yummy

[@susanjones8938]

Wow amazing yummy

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@craftyjacki5046]

I love your channel 💖. I usually watch you on TV but I was on my phone. Your recipes always are good. Loved watching your little guy eating his food!

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you Jacki! So fun to watch when you can comment sometimes! I’m glad you’re here!!

[@kristyb5821]

I know this is a cooking video but as a Tennessean that lives near Dave Ramsey he infuriates the community so much. He fired a woman from his company for getting pregnant. True story check out the investigation on the Nashville news. He also hosted a Covid super spreading event and refused to allow his employees to work from home and fired one man with an immunocompromised child and wife for wearing a mask at work. He’s not a good person. Sorry for my rant but Dave Ramsey turns my stomach so much because of how he treats people (I live a few miles away from him and his mega mansion). Now onto the important things those meals look amazing Maria! I plan on trying all of them! Thank you!

[@MealsWithMaria]

That’s too bad. Glad you still enjoyed the meals 😀

[@rebekahhansen1112]

I am so sorry when people who think they are Christians act like that. You can't take your wealth with you but you can good for folks while on earth.

[@theheartoftexas]

That’s interesting to hear. I’ve heard a lot of negative things about him.

[@annhans3535]

I don't care which one, I love them both.🤣

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀

[@denisedieter9004]

Maria, is there anything you can use in place of the coconut milk? I'm not a big coconut fan.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Yes, heavy cream is an option!

[@debbiechaney6607]

Oh my....these look amazingly delicious .....yummy. Thank you so very much for showing us!! Love from Debbie and Dexter-Dog in sunny (HOT) California. 🙏🙏👍👍🏄🏡🚴🌻💐😄💝

[@MealsWithMaria]

💕

[@lisajeffery3121]

Love it! Thanks Maria. I always love new ways to save and eat healthy at same time. Have you tried black rice,very nutritious.

[@mariamenegas7203]

Hi Maria. I've recently discovered your channel. Love your recipes!❤️ I noticed your cutting board slides as you're chopping. It helps if you put a wet rag under it. It creates traction and prevents it from moving. Anyway, just a suggestion.😊

[@MealsWithMaria]

Thank you Maria!!! I’m so glad you are here 🙏

[@kskollections2142]

Question: what can I use instead of the coconut stuff? Have an allergy to coconut.

[@MealsWithMaria]

Can you have heavy cream?

[@kskollections2142]

@@MealsWithMaria yes I can. Is the heavy cream an acceptable replacement? I hope so!

[@annmarieknapp9942]

That curry though!?!? 😋💖 I think all of the dishes looked delicious, and I'm all about saving $ 🤑 Thanks as always for another great video!

[@MealsWithMaria]

😀 enjoy the curry! Too easy not to make!

[@renalarue6988]

What can be used to replace the coconut cream? Allergies won’t allow use.

[@cannotbeshaken7889]

I would say sour cream, for sure.