There are nights when my three teenagers come crashing through the door after school and sports and they are already yelling, mom what is for dinner. And honestly by that point my brain is tired and my feet hurt and I just need something that will cook itself. That is why I lean on slow cooker Mexican recipes so much. They save me when I feel like there is no way dinner is happening.
This crockpot Mexican rice and beans has become one of my Best Mexican Crockpot Recipes because it feels like Authentic Mexican Food but is still easy enough for a weeknight. It has those cozy Mexican flavors we all love, it fills everyone up, and it is cheap dinners for a family which is huge when you have growing teens eating everything in sight. It is one of those Easy Dinner Ideas that works as a main dish or a side, and I love how it fits right into fall dinner recipes Mexican style when we want something hearty and warm.
I grew up loving real Mexican food and now I try to bring that same comfort into my kitchen. This is one of those crockpot recipes Mexican food lovers will keep on repeat. It is like a one pot Mexican recipe that gives you the flavor of authentic Mexican dishes without standing by the stove all day. You can take it to a Mexican food pot luck idea, serve it as Mexican meals for a crowd, or even use it as a base for burritos or bowls. My kids say it is one of the Best Mexican Dinner Recipes because it tastes like real Mexican food but mom made it in a crockpot dish.
Whether you call it Mexican hot dish recipes, Mexican meals, or just plain comfort food, this one is easy and cozy. It is slow cooker Mexican, it is crockpot dishes that make sense when life is crazy, and it is the kind of cooking recipe that makes dinner feel special without being complicated. That is why I call it one of my go to Mexican food recipes in crockpot form.
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes, I like the fire roasted ones for extra flavor
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth, or chicken broth if that is what you got
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
- juice of one lime
- fresh cilantro for garnish
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the crockpot
Spray the inside with nonstick spray. I do this because I really hate scrubbing sticky rice off later.
Step 2: Add everything in
Put in the rice, beans, corn, onion, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, and all those spices. Pour the broth over and stir it gently.
Step 3: Let it cook
Cover the lid and cook on low for about 4 to 5 hours. The rice should be fluffy and soft when it is ready.
Step 4: Add finishing touch
Right before serving, stir in the fresh lime juice and adjust the salt and pepper. Sprinkle cilantro on top.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Scoop into bowls, wrap in tortillas, or eat it on the side of your tacos. My kids love it with shredded cheese melted on top.
Tips from my kitchen
- If your family likes spicy food, add a jalapeno or some hot sauce.
- This dish is very filling but you can also add grilled chicken or beef on the side for extra protein.
- Leftovers are gold. I pack them for lunch the next day and it saves me so much time.
FAQs for Crockpot Mexican Rice and Beans
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes you can, but brown rice takes longer to cook. If you use brown rice in the crockpot, it might need closer to 6 to 7 hours on low. I personally stick with long grain white rice because it comes out fluffy and not mushy.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Totally. I usually keep it mild for my kids but if you love spice add jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or even a few dashes of hot sauce. That will give it that extra kick of Authentic Mexican flavors.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Crockpot recipes Mexican food style like this one actually taste even better the next day. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat on the stove or microwave.
Can I double the recipe for a crowd?
Yes. This is one of those Mexican meals for a crowd that everyone loves. Just make sure your crockpot is big enough or use two crockpots if you are feeding a lot of people. Perfect for Mexican food pot luck ideas too.
Crockpot Mexican Rice and Beans Recipe Card
Crockpot Mexican Rice and Beans
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup long grain rice , rinsed
- 1 can black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 can pinto beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes fire roasted if you like smoky flavor
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 1 small onion , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 red bell pepper , chopped
- 3 cups vegetable broth or chicken broth if you prefer
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- Fresh cilantro , for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the crockpot
- Spray inside with nonstick spray or use a liner to make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Add everything
- Place rice, beans, corn, onion, garlic, bell pepper, tomatoes, and spices into the crockpot. Pour in broth and stir gently.
Step 3: Let it cook
- Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours. Rice should be fluffy and veggies tender.
Step 4: Add the finishing touch
- Right before serving, stir in lime juice and adjust salt and pepper.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy
- Top with cilantro and enjoy it in bowls, burritos, or as a side dish with tacos.
Notes
Tips
- Keep it mild for the kids, or add jalapeno or cayenne for spice lovers.
- Use fire roasted tomatoes for deeper, smoky flavor.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day. Perfect for meal prep.
- Add shredded cheese on top for extra comfort vibes.
Variations
- Protein Boost: Stir in cooked shredded chicken or ground beef for more protein.
- Brown Rice Swap: Use brown rice but increase cook time to 6–7 hours on low.
- Cheesy Version: Add a handful of shredded cheese right before serving.
- Vegan Friendly: Stick with vegetable broth and skip the cheese.
At the end of the day I just need dinner that makes sense for my family and does not make me crazy. This crockpot Mexican rice and beans has been one of my Best Mexican Crockpot Recipes because it is simple, filling, and full of Mexican flavors that my teenagers actually eat without complaining. It feels like Authentic Mexican food but it is made in the slow cooker which makes it one of the easiest cooking recipes I keep on repeat.
If you are looking for Cheap Dinners For A Family that also taste like Real Mexican Food, this is it. It is one of those Easy Dinner Ideas that works for busy weeknights, Fall Dinner Recipes Mexican style when the weather turns cold, or even Mexican food pot luck ideas when you need something to share. The crockpot dishes like this one remind me why I love slow cooker Mexican recipes so much, because you just set it and forget it.
This is comfort food, like Mexican cold weather food, but still one of those Mexican meals for a crowd if you need it. I have taken it to friends houses, used it for burrito nights, and even packed leftovers for school lunches. It is flexible, cozy, and honestly one of the Best Mexican Dinner Recipes I have found that does not cost much.
You can call it Mexican hot dish recipes, Mexican dishes authentic, or just one pot Mexican recipes that save you time. No matter how you name it, crockpot recipes Mexican food style like this one will always be on my family table. It is one of those slow cooker Mexican recipes that feels like home, simple but full of love. And that is really what matters when you are feeding hungry teenagers every single night.
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