We’ve all heard it before: the internet finance gurus love telling us that if we just stop spending money and eat rice and beans, we’ll be millionaires. So, naturally, I had to take up the challenge! But let’s be real—if we’re going to follow the ultimate budget advice, those meals better actually taste incredible. No one wants to suffer through a week of boring, tasteless bowls or endless leftover fatigue.
To prove that eating on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, I put the “rice and beans” rule to the test with five ultra-budget-friendly, small-batch recipes designed for two. From a refreshing, crunchy Dense Bean Salad to smoky Red Beans and Rice, a savory Asian Rice Bowl, vibrant Mexican Black Beans and Rice, and hearty Spanish Rice-Stuffed Poblanos, these low-cost grocery wins will slash your food bill while keeping your tastebuds genuinely happy. If this is what eating like a future millionaire looks like, sign me up!
A few Amazon products I used in these recipes are:
Carote Pan Set https://amzn.to/4znk57A
Instant Vortex 2 qt Air Fryer https://amzn.to/4yMa7fY
2 qt Crock pot https://amzn.to/4ihCGMy
Aroma 4 cup Rice Cooker https://amzn.to/47Qynlc
Hambeens Dried Beans (this is for a 3 pack. This can be found at your local grocery store) https://amzn.to/47dKNUf
Here are the recipes!
Shortcut Dense Bean Salad
Ingredients
- ½ c Hambeens 15 Bean Soup Dry Beans
- 2 T Italian Salad Dressing
- 2 T Diced Red Pepper
- 2 T Diced Cucumber
- ¼ c Shredded Cabbage
- 1 c Cooked Rice
- ¼ c Crumbled Feta Cheese
- 1 t Scallions
Instructions
- Soak the dried beans in water overnight
- Drain the beans and cook the beans by boiling them in a pot of water until they are softened
- Once the beans are cooked drain the bean and add them to a bowl
- Top the beans with the Italian Dressing and veggies and stir to combine
- Place bean mixture on top of the cooked rice
- Enjoy!
Mexican Rice and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 C Jasmine Rice Washed
- 1 C Chicken Broth
- 1/2 C Water
- 1 T Taco Seasoning
- ½ c Black Beans
- ½ c Roasted Corn
- ½ c Diced Tomatoes
- 2 T Peppers and Onion I used frozen but fresh is great here too
- 1 T Diced Jalapenos
- Spray Oil
- Optional Toppings: Avocado Crema Avocados Pickled Onions, Salsa or Sour Cream
Instructions
- Place washed rice into the rice cooker and add the beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers and onions and stir
- Cook on the white rice setting (if you have a one button rice cooker, simply push the lever down and start your cooking cycle.
- Once the cooking is complete. fluff the rice
- Top with the topping of your choice and Enjoy!
Crockpot Red Beans and Rice for Two
Ingredients
- 1 c Washed Rice
- 1 c Vegetable Broth
- 1 c Water
- 1 T Creole Seasoning Blend
- 1 Bay Leaf
- ½ C Smoked Sausage
- 2 T Diced Onions
- 2 T Diced Green Pepper
- ½ C Red Beans
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and stir. Cook on high for 2.5 hours.
- Once the rice is completely cooked, fluff with a fork and serve.
- Enjoy!
Creole Seasoning Blend
Ingredients
- 2 T Paprika
- 2 t Garlic Powder
- 2 t Onion Powder
- 1 t Oregano
- 1 t Basil
- 1 t Chili Powder
- ½ t Salt
- ½ t Pepper
- ¼ t Red Pepper Flakes
- ¼ t Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
- Combine all spices and store in an airtight container.
Asian Rice Bowl for One
Ingredients
- 1/3 c Cooked Brown Rice
- ½ c Shelled Edamame
- 2 T Diced Bell Pepper
- 1 T Diced Cucumber
- ¼ c Shredded Cabbage
- 1 T Grated Carrots
- 1 t Chopped Scallions
- For the Dressing
- 1 t Honey
- ¼ c Orange Juice
- ¼ t Grated Ginger
- ¼ t Minced garlic
- 1 t Sesame Oil
- 2 T Olive Oil
- 1 T Soy Sauce
- 1 t Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Combine the dressing ingredients together in a mason jar.
- Place edamame and rice into the bottom of a bowl
- Top with the remaining vegetables and the dressing.
- Enjoy!
Stuffed Poblano with Spanish Rice
Ingredients
- Poblano Pepper halved and deseeded
- ½ c Refried Beans
- ¼ c Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese
- 1 T Butter
- 2 T Diced Onion
- ½ c Washed and Drained Uncooked Rice
- 1 c Water
- ½ c Tomato Sauce
- 1/8 t Cumin
- 1/8 t Smoked Paprika
- Olive Oil Spray
Instructions
- Spray the poblanos with olive oil spray and place into the air fryer
- Airfry at 375 for 7-8 minutes flipping at the 5 minute mark
- Stuff the cooked pepper with the refried beans and top with cheese
- Place the peppers back in to the air fryer and air fry at 375 for another 2 minutes
- For the Spanish Rice
- Place butter in a pot and melt
- Add rice, onions, cumin and paprika to the melted butter and toast the rice for 2 minutes
- Add the tomato sauce and the water and stir to combine
- Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes
- After the rice has finished cooking fluff with a fork
- Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
You can find the crockpot version of the Red Beans and Rice recipe here: https://staceyssimplemeals.com/crockpot-red-beans-and-rice-for-two/
You can find the avocado crema recipe here: https://staceyssimplemeals.com/7-simple-meal-prep-sauces/
This was an absolutely delicious experiment and if this is eating on a budget sign me up! These were all delicious. I hope you try these friend, I just know you’re going to love them!
Have a wonderful week!
#staceyssimplemeals #riceandbeans #budgetfriendly #easyrecipes
