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Rice and Beans from Belize

Rice and Beans

Coconut-cooked rice and beans, the Sunday staple. ยท Belize

๐Ÿ“ Nationwide โ˜… 4.3
Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

Coconut-cooked rice and beans, the Sunday staple.

About Rice and Beans

Red kidney beans and rice are cooked together in coconut milk with thyme and onion until rich and fragrant, then served with stewed chicken and plantain. It is the cornerstone of the Belizean Sunday plate.

๐Ÿ›๏ธ History & Culture

Belizean rice and beans, cooked together in coconut milk with kidney beans, thyme, and onion, is a cornerstone of the countryโ€™s Creole cuisine. Its roots trace to the African and Caribbean culinary traditions brought by enslaved peoples and later migrants, blending local ingredients with cooking methods from the West Indies. Over time, it became a beloved national staple, particularly associated with Sunday family gatherings, where it is traditionally served with stewed chicken, potato salad, and fried plantains.

Regional variations exist across Belize, with some households adding a dash of recado (achiote) for color or adjusting the coconut milk richness to taste. The dish is also found in similar forms throughout the Caribbean, but Belizeโ€™s version stands out for its creamy, fragrant texture and its role as a symbol of communal identity. While its exact origin within Belize is not precisely documented, its status as the โ€œSunday plateโ€ reflects a deep cultural importance, uniting families and communities around a shared, hearty meal.

๐Ÿณ How to make Rice and Beans

AI-assisted, not kitchen-tested

Rice and Beans (Belizean Sunday Plate)

The cornerstone of Belizean Sunday cooking: red kidney beans simmered with rice in coconut milk, thyme, and onion until rich and creamy. Traditionally served alongside stewed chicken and fried plantain.

Prep
15 min
Cook
60 min
Total
75 min
Serves
6
Difficulty
Easy

Recipe ingredients

  • 225 g (1 cup) dried red kidney beans, must be soaked overnight; do not cook from dry without soaking โ€” see step 1
  • 350 g (1ยพ cups) long-grain white rice, rinsed, or null
  • 400 ml (1ยพ cups) full-fat coconut milk, one 14 oz can; full-fat is essential for traditional richness
  • 700 ml (3 cups) water or bean cooking liquid, use the liquid the beans were boiled in for deeper flavor
  • 1 large onion, diced, or null
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced, or null
  • 6 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1ยฝ tsp dried thyme
  • 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper, left whole, not chopped, for flavor without intense heat
  • 15 g (1 tbsp) salt, adjust to taste, or null
  • 30 g (2 tbsp) vegetable oil or coconut oil, for sautรฉing the aromatics

Steps

  1. 1 SAFETY โ€” KIDNEY BEANS: Soak 225 g (1 cup) dried red kidney beans in plenty of cold water for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Drain, rinse, and cover with fresh water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes, then reduce heat and simmer 45โ€“60 minutes until tender. Do not skip the boil step โ€” raw or undercooked kidney beans contain phytohaemagglutinin, a toxin that is destroyed only by sustained boiling. Drain, reserving the cooking liquid.
  2. 2 In a heavy pot, heat 30 g (2 tbsp) oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook 4โ€“5 minutes until softened and translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute more.
  3. 3 Stir in the cooked kidney beans, 400 ml (1ยพ cups) coconut milk, 700 ml (3 cups) reserved bean cooking liquid, the thyme sprigs, and the whole Scotch bonnet pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  4. 4 Add the rinsed rice and 15 g (1 tbsp) salt. Stir once, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to the lowest setting and cover tightly with a lid. Cook for 20โ€“25 minutes without lifting the lid, until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed.
  5. 5 Remove from heat and keep covered for 10 minutes to steam. Fish out and discard the thyme stems and the whole Scotch bonnet pepper. Fluff gently with a fork โ€” the rice should be separate and each grain coated in creamy coconut.
  6. 6 Serve with stewed chicken and sliced fried ripe plantain, with a side of fresh tomato salad if desired.
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Ingredients
Steps

Rice and Beans โ€” frequently asked questions

What is Rice and Beans?

Red kidney beans and rice are cooked together in coconut milk with thyme and onion until rich and fragrant, then served with stewed chicken and plantain. It is the cornerstone of the Belizean Sunday plate.

What is Rice and Beans made of?

Rice and Beans is made with rice, kidney beans, coconut milk, thyme and onion.

Where does Rice and Beans come from?

Rice and Beans comes from Belize, and is especially associated with Nationwide. Belizean rice and beans, cooked together in coconut milk with kidney beans, thyme, and onion, is a cornerstone of the countryโ€™s Creole cuisine.

Where can I eat Rice and Beans?

A Belizean home on Sunday, with stewed chicken.

How do you make Rice and Beans?

Making Rice and Beans at home takes about 15 minutes of prep and 60 minutes of cooking. The recipe on this page serves 6 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.

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