• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Gift of Hospitality logo

  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
    • About
  • Recipes
  • Hospitality How-Tos
  • Newsletter
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Recipes » Side Dishes » Arroz Moro (Cuban Black Beans and Rice)

    Arroz Moro (Cuban Black Beans and Rice)

    Published: Apr 17, 2018 · Modified: May 27, 2022 by Kate Shungu · This post may contain affiliate links

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe
    arroz moro in a green bowl on a beige tablecloth
    arroz moro in a green bowl on a beige tablecloth
    arroz moro in a green bowl on a beige tablecloth
    arroz moro in a green bowl on a beige tablecloth

    This simple recipe for Cuban Black Beans and Rice is also known as Arroz Moro. It has just five ingredients, and it’s ready in 30 minutes!

    arroz moro in a green bowl on a dinner table with a salad.

    Arroz Moro is a simple combination of garlic, black beans, and rice. That’s it! The tender rice contrasts nicely with the slightly chewy beans, and the faint flavor of garlic permeates the whole pot.

    I first encountered Arroz Moro at a Cuban restaurant in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was a side dish option to accompany my grilled skirt steak, and I chose it because I saw it at the table next to ours.

    It came out in a little dome, dark black and intriguing. I had to try it, and convinced my husband to do the same. As soon as I took a bite, I knew I had to take careful notes so that I could re-create it at home!

    Many Cuban rice recipes call for ingredients like peppers, onions, oregano, and even bacon. But Havana, where we ate, kept it simple. And so does this recipe.

    green bowl filled with arroz moro on a dinner table

    This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Gift of Hospitality at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.

    Jump to:
    • Origin of arroz moro
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Cuban black beans and rice
    • FAQs
    • Storing and reheating
    • What to serve with Arroz Moro
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Related recipes
    • 💬 Reviews

    Origin of arroz moro

    Arroz Moro is also known as Moros & Christianos. Moros refers to Muslims and Christianos to Christians.

    The groups battled for centuries in Spain until learning to live peaceably together in the 15th century. The mixture of black beans and rice in the same pot refers to this latter period of peace.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for arroz moro on a white table
    • We’ll sauté garlic in olive oil to add lots of flavor to the rice. Don’t skip it!
    • I used long grain white rice for this. Jasmine, basmati, or rice simply labeled “long grain white rice” is great for this.
    • Unlike most recipes, we won’t drain the black beans. The liquid gets added to the rice instead!

    How to make Cuban black beans and rice

    Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

    Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Take care not to let it burn—have the water handy to add quickly if it begins to turn a deep shade of brown.

    garlic frying in oil in a saucepan with a wooden spoon in it

    Add the rice, black beans (including the liquid), water, and salt to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for 20 minutes.

    Remove the saucepan from the stove. Let stand 5 minutes.

    cooked black beans and rice in a saucepan

    Uncover and fluff with a fork. The fork separates the grains so the rice is fluffy.

    fork fluffing cuban black beans and rice in a saucepan.

    You can also see the step-by-step instructions here on Google!

    FAQs

    What type of rice is best for Arroz Moro?

    Choose a long-grain white rice such as basmati or jasmine. It may also just be labeled “long grain white rice”.

    Can I use jarred garlic instead of fresh?

    You can substitute one tablespoon of jarred garlic in place of the fresh garlic cloves.

    Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?

    You can replace the fresh garlic with ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.

    Can I make this dish ahead?

    I don’t recommend making Arroz Moro ahead of time. Like most rice dishes, it’s best eaten right after cooking.

    Storing and reheating

    Any leftover rice should be stored in the refrigerator promptly after serving. Place it in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

    To reheat the rice, place it in a microwave-safe dish and sprinkle it with a teaspoon or two of water. Cover and microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until piping hot throughout.

    What to serve with Arroz Moro

    To keep with the Cuban theme, Grilled Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce is the perfect main dish to serve with this rice recipe.

    Arroz Moro is also an easy side dish for grilled steak, roast chicken, or even salmon.

    When I served the rice and steak for a dinner party, I added a big salad and fried plantains.

    dinner plate with steak, cuban rice, plantains, and salad with a gold fork.

    My guests gobbled it up! It’s a crowd-pleasing side dish that almost everyone loves. It would also pair well with tacos or fajitas.

    I frequently make it as a side dish for dinner instead of plain rice.

    arroz moro in a green bowl.

    Have you tried this recipe? Please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or comment below!


    cup of ambrosia and slice of banana cake.

    📖 Recipe

    cuban black beans and rice in a green bowl

    Arroz Moro (Cuban Black Beans and Rice)

    Published by Kate
    A simple, Cuban inspired dish of black beans and rice. Serve with grilled skirt steak, tacos, or fajitas! 
    4.75 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Total Time 30 mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine cuban
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 282 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, undrained
    • 2 cups white rice (I used basmati)
    • 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt

    Instructions
     

    • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring occasionally.
    • Add black beans (including the liquid), rice, salt, and 3 cups water.
    • Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the water is absorbed.
    • Let sit for 5 minutes off the heat, covered. Fluff with a fork and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    The garlic will cook quickly in the hot oil. Take care not to burn the garlic. Have the water ready to add to the pot, and add it quickly if you see the garlic starting to turn brown. 
    I chose not to rinse the rice for this dish. If you desire rice that’s less sticky/starchy, then rinse the rice before adding it to the pot. 
    Promptly store any leftover rice in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3–4 days in a covered container. To reheat, sprinkle a teaspoon or two of water on top of the rice and place it in a covered dish. Microwave for 1–2 minutes, or until hot. 
    I don’t recommend freezing the rice, which can compromise the texture of the beans.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 282kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 10gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 701mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 8gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword arroz moro, black beans and rice
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @giftofhospitality and let me know how you liked it!

    Related recipes

    • sliced skirt steak on a gray plate, topped with chimichurri sauce.
      Cuban Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
    • green salad in a cream bowl
      Church Lady Salad (Winter Fruit Salad)
    • Mexican rice in a green bowl, garnished with slices of lime
      Authentic Mexican Rice
    • seafood paella in a large black skillet, on top of a blue and white tea towel.
      Shrimp Paella
    « Cuban Skirt Steak with Chimichurri Sauce
    Church Lady Salad (Winter Fruit Salad) »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    kate

    About Kate

    I’m a believer, wife, mom, and big fan of old cookbooks. I live in Chicago with my husband and two young sons. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time! Read more...

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Kaycee says

      December 17, 2021 at 6:55 pm

      5 stars
      Hello! I just wanted to say how thankful I am for this recipe. I grew up in WPB, Fl where the Havana restaurant is and Arroz Moro has always been one of my favorites from there. Now living across the country, I have made this recipe so many times. It’s been awhile so I just came back to check the specs, I love it so much !

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        December 17, 2021 at 8:36 pm

        Thank you so much, Kaycee! I’m so glad that found it!

        Reply
    2. Pablo says

      November 26, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Very nice and well explained recipe i ll try so i can revive my memories of cuba. Just one critic: you can easily find beans that are not in cans. Would have been nice to get the recipe without readymade stuff even if you know, i m beeing peeky.

      Reply
    3. Ashley Sparks says

      September 16, 2020 at 9:14 am

      I often visit Havana just for this rice. Today I decided to search for a Arroz Moro recipes. Was happy to see you compare this to the rice served at Havana.

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        September 16, 2020 at 9:56 am

        I hope I did the rice justice—I absolutely loved it at Havana and wish we lived closer! Thanks for commenting. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Kate Shungu says

      July 01, 2020 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Testing for aggregate rating

      Reply
    5. Patrice says

      December 19, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and delicious!

      Reply
      • Kate Shungu says

        December 19, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Thanks so much, Patrice! It’s one of our go-tos for an easy side dish at our house. 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome

    Kate from Gift of HospitalityI’m Kate. I love discovering old fashioned recipes that will transport you back in time. Learn more here
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Spring Recipes

    scalloped potatoes and ham topped with cheese on a small white plate.

    Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

    slice of pistachio cake topped with pistachio frosting and chopped pistachios on a white plate.

    Pistachio Cake with Pudding Mix

    strawberry preserves on toast on a white plate.

    Easy Strawberry Preserves

    rhubarb sauce over ice cream in a glass parfait dish.

    Easy Rhubarb Sauce

    7 layer salad in a glass trifle dish.

    7 Layer Salad

    15 Rhubarb Desserts for Spring

    More Spring Recipes Here....

    Most Popular Recipes

    slice of sausage and egg casserole on a white plate.

    Overnight Sausage and Egg Casserole

    asian cabbage salad in a blue and white decorative bowl.

    Asian Cabbage Salad

    crock pot pork chops in sauce on a white oval platter.

    Crockpot Pork Chops with Mushroom Soup

    slice of ding dong cake in a cake pan with more ding dong cake in the pan.

    Easy Ding Dong Cake

    french toast casserole in a white casserole dish.

    Overnight French Toast Casserole

    ritz cracker sandwiches stacked on a white platter

    RITZ® Crackers Party Sandwiches

    Desserts of the Decades

    Get vintage dessert recipes from throughout the decades, straight to your inbox!

    Web Stories

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright Gift of Hospitality © 2022