Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork

When the cold days arrive, we just want to stay cozy on the couch, watching a good movie after having eaten a delicious and filling dinner.

Although soup is a star dish during this time, there is another hidden gem that can become your favorite.

We are talking about the famous Spanish rice and beans with pork. Various ingredients are combined in this recipe to create one of the most well-liked dishes in all of Spain.

You, dear reader, support this blog. If you purchase through a link, we earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

In this article, we will tell you how to make this classic Spanish recipe but with a twist.

Background of the Dish

The Spanish rice and beans with pork recipe is one of the most popular in all of southern Spain and has been around for hundreds of years. 

Of course, since it contains ingredients that come from America, it is a recipe that was created after contact with the new world.

It quickly became popular in Spain due to the cold climate, since to combat this hostile climate it is necessary to eat nutritious and filling foods.

It has some influences from Latin American cuisine and other ingredients that make this Andalusian version unique. Keep reading to learn how to do it and tips to not fail. 

Pin for later!

Things You’ll Need for Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork

Like other pork and beans recipes, as long as you have those two ingredients plus the rice, you don’t need anything else to make these easy Spanish dishes.

Ingredients

• 240 g long rice
• 150g beans
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 onion
• 1 head of garlic
• 1/2 kg of fresh pork belly
• 2 leeks
• ¼ kg French chives
• 4 cups (1L) of red wine
• 1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves
• Olive oil
• Thyme
• Pepper
• Salt

How to Make Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork – Step by Step Guide

1. To start making this rice and beans recipe, you have to soak the beans the night before making it.

2. The next morning, peel the onion and put a pot of water on the stove.

3. After that, cook the Spanish beans with the bay leaf, the whole onion, and the garlic cloves and season to taste. Cook for about 90 minutes. Then turn off the heat and remove the garlic, onion, and bay leaf. Reserve the beans with their broth.

4. Then clean the fresh pork belly and wash and cut the leeks and spring onion. Cook everything in a pan over high heat until all the ingredients get browned.

5. The next step in this Spanish rice and beans recipe is to place the fresh pork belly with the leek and spring onion in a tray suitable for the oven. Cover with wine and add sugar, thyme, and bay leaf. Cover the tray and roast for 1 hour at 140ºC or at minimum heat.

6. Meanwhile, cook the rice in a pot with water until you achieve the texture that you like the most. Add the sliced ​​garlic to the rice.

7. Once the Spanish pork is roasted, let it cool slightly, cut it into cubes and seal it in a frying pan.

8. Serve by combining the beans, pork and rice.

Substitutions of ingredients

As well as other rice and pork recipes, if you follow this one you can make all kinds of changes you can imagine. 

As much as the main ingredients are pork, white rice, and beans, you can change them too if you like.

You can make it just rice with pork, completely removing the beans. You should also feel free and choose the type of bean that you like the most to make this easy rice and beans recipe.

Also, you can remove the wine from this recipe and skip that step altogether.

Keep in mind that the purpose of the wine is to make it like a confit, so if you remove it, the recipe ends sooner. Or you can replace it with cider.

Don’t be afraid to take inspiration from other famous dinners with rice, and make this recipe with another protein, such as chicken breast. Any part of the pork can be used in this recipe.

The Spanish love to eat rice and that’s why we encourage you to try other delicious recipes such as the Spanish chorizo rice, Spanish rice soup, and the Spanish chicken and rice recipe.

Also if you want to try Spanish rice recipes without meat, the vegan Spanish rice, the Spanish rice and beans, and the healthy keto Spanish rice are very delicious and easy to make.

Try the Spanish beans and tomatoes and the Spanish baked rice and don’t lose the recipes because they are delicious and easy Spanish recipes that you need to try.

Tips on Serving Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork

This pork with rice stands out from other Spanish dinner recipes because you can serve it at dinner, at lunch, and in greater or lesser amounts.

If you serve a handful or a small bowl it can be a side dish (in that case this pork recipe with rice would work for 8 servings). Or you can serve it as the main course.

To give Spanish rice and beans a little twist, don’t be afraid to sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese on top. You can also make toast from your favorite bread with olive oil to go with it.

Try some of the most iconic Spanish recipes with rice, like the famous Paella and the rice with lobster recipe, or the most delicious Spanish dessert, Arroz con leche.

The Spanish pork chops recipe and the Spanish pork skewers recipe are yet other delicious pork recipes from Spain that you must try.

How to Store Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork

If you make this easy Spanish recipe, then you have different ways of storing it to follow.

You can store them in the refrigerator covered for up to 4 days and heat them before eating.

Rice and beans can take on a bad texture if you freeze them for too long, so we recommend that you do not freeze them for more than 30 days. Then let them thaw overnight in the fridge.

Recipe Card: Spanish Rice and Beans with Pork

---

---