Tex-Mex Rice and Beans
Tex-Mex Rice and Beans is a hearty and flavorful side dish (or main) that combines fluffy rice with tender beans, typically seasoned with a blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic, and onions. It's a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, which fuses Mexican cooking traditions with Texas-style ingredients and preparation, often featuring additions like tomatoes, bell peppers, and sometimes cheese or cilantro.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is a good source of complex carbohydrates and plant-based protein, with the beans also providing significant fiber and essential minerals like iron and magnesium. A typical serving (about 1 cup) generally ranges from 250 to 350 calories, depending on the specific recipe and whether oil or cheese is used generously.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 320 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 52 g |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Iron | 3.5 mg |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Magnesium | 85 mg |
| Folate | 180 mcg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.4 mg |
| Phosphorus | 200 mg |
| Zinc | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, it represents the delicious fusion at the heart of Tex-Mex cuisine, showcasing how ingredients like rice (introduced by Spanish colonists) and beans (a Mesoamerican staple) merged into a new, beloved tradition. Nutritionally, the combination of rice and beans creates a complete protein, making it a valuable and satisfying meal component, especially in vegetarian diets.
