Slow Cooker Coconut Red Beans & Rice are a Caribbean inspired dish. It's a delicious side dish for so many meals, like the Jerk Chicken that I shared with you last week, but also just a tasty meal all by itself.
Jamaican Rice & Beans
Beans & Rice are Universal
You can find a version of beans & rice in every corner of this big & beautiful world. From South, Central and North America to the Caribbean to Africa, Europe, and Asia, you will be sure to find some version of beans & rice.
For example, there is Feijoada, the Brazilian national dish, Platillo Moros y Cristianos, the Cuban version of beans & rice, Gallo Pinto (Central America), Waakye, (Africa), Kongbap (Korea), and this Louisiana staple, Cajun Red Beans and Rice.
And those are just touching on the beans & rice cuisines of the world. There are way too many to list here, but, you can bet that there is a combo of beans and rice in every culture in the world. Which is pretty amazing when you think of it, and proof of what a vitally nutritious and sustaining combo beans & rice really are.
Caribbean Rice & Peas
This recipe for Coconut Red Beans & Rice is Caribbean inspired. In Jamaica, they call this dish Rice & Peas, and the dish is a Sunday tradition. This tradition goes back to the African slaves, who were brought to Jamaica to work on sugar plantations. They made this version of African Waakye with coconut milk and spices every Sunday, their one day free of work, and usually gathered together with family and neighbours to eat. Rice & Peas was always a feature.
Jamaican Rice & Beans
Nutritious Beans & Rice
There are reasons why the combo of beans & rice is so common and popular worldwide. First, it's a highly nutritious combo. Rice & Beans are high in protein, fibre, and minerals, including iron & potassium. Rice & beans together, make a complete, and, an economical protein. Secondly, beans & rice are staple foods around the world, because they are both easy to grow in so many climates. Finally, both beans, when dried, and rice, will keep for long periods after harvest and they don't require refrigeration.
Jamaican Rice & Red Beans
Do You Need to Soak Beans Overnight?
For this recipe, I did soak the beans. Because this is a slow cooker recipe, I was concerned that the rice would be overcooked before the beans were fully cooked. However, you can cook beans straight from dry, it will simply mean a much longer cooking time. Check out this article for more info.
Slow Cooker Coconut Red Beans & Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried kidney or red beans
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 2 cups coconut milk full fat, both water, and cream
- 1 lime juice of
- 3 scallions sliced, white and green parts separated
- ½ teaspoon thyme leaves
- ½ tsp ground ginger or, 1 2" piece of fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- 1.5 cups long grain basmati rice rinsed
- ½ teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Sort beans and cover with water to soak overnight
- Drain beans and put into a large pot of fresh water
- Bring to a boil, and boil for 10-15 minutes.
- Drain, then add beans to the slow cooker, along with the stock, coconut milk, lime juice, rice, garlic, thyme, allspice, ginger, white parts of scallions, kosher salt, & red pepper flakes.
- Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours until rice is cooked, and beans are tender
- Serve hot, garnished with green parts of the scallion
Notes
Nutrition
Kara
Love the lime and coconut flavors. I've made cajun red beans and rice many times. This is a fun variation.
Colleen
Hi Kara, I love Cajun rice and beans, too! This version is very different, but every bit as delicious. Enjoy!
marlene
Thank you for sharing this! I really liked the recipe
Colleen
You're very welcome, Marlene. I'm happy that you like this recipe, and so happy that you came back to let me know. Thank you!
Brett D O'Connor
This recipe looks great and I am going to try it. However, the liquid ingredients (5 cups) seems to be quite a bit considering the 1.5 cups of rice and 1 cup par cooked beans. Are this proportions correct? I don't want gluggy rice. Thanks in advance for your insight.
Colleen
Hi Brett! Thank you for stopping by. This recipe turns out perfectly every time for me, and for everyone that has given feedback. Nobody wants gluggy rice, and I have just added a tip, thanks to your comment. Be sure to rinse your rice well, until the water runs clear. This removes a lot of the starch (what causes glugginess). Enjoy, and I would love to hear how it turns out for you.
Laura
When do you add the lime?
Colleen
Hi Laura, the lime juice goes in the slow cooker along with all of the other ingredients. Thanks so much for letting me know about this error, which I have fixed. I hope you enjoy this recipe, its delicious!
Marieke
Love the flavour combinations and simplicity of this dish! Delicious!
Colleen
Hi Marieke, hope you give it a try if you love these flavours, you will not regret!
sheenam @ thetwincookingproject
Such an interesting recipe!!!! Love coconut and love red beans. This looks amazing.
Colleen
Thanks Sheenam, it's a delicious dish and so easy to make. I hope you give it a try.
Elaine
Love all the Caribbean flavours in this slow cooker dish! Beans and rice is a simple dish, but you've turned it into something special! Pinned!
Colleen
Thanks so much, Elaine! Caribbean flavours are so special. I hope you love it!
Leanne @ Crumb Top Baking
As prevalent as it is, I've never had beans and rice together! But it looks so filling and comforting. Perfect as a side dish or even stand alone meal!
Colleen
Hi Leanne, beans and rice are a perfect match and the ultimate comfort food, too. I hope you give it a try!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
There's something super comforting about beans and rice and this looks like it would hit the spot! Love those little dishes too...they're ADORABLE!!
Colleen
I agree, Dawn, beans & rice are a true comfort food. Thanks, I really love those dishes,too!
Cookilicious
Yum..this looks so flavorful!
Colleen
Thank you, it really is delicious!
Andrea Metlika
We love red beans and rice. I love how flavorful this recipe is and that it's cooked in the slow cooker.
Colleen
Hi Andrea, yes the slow cooker is so perfect for rice & beans.
Beth Pierce
What a great side dish with dinner! So easy and flavorful too!
Colleen
Hi Beth, you have to love easy and flavourful, right? 🙂
Elaine
I have started to really explore the Caribbean cuisine. There are so many outstanding and flavorful dishes that I am yet to try - like this one! Can't wait to get enough beans to go all in!
Colleen
Hi Elaine, Caribbean flavours are really wonderful. I hope you make this recipe, it's a delicious starting point for your exploration!