Ingredients
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1 tablespoon extra virgin Olive Oil
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1/2 medium Oniondiced
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1 pound lean Ground Beef
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1 bunch Spinachstemmed and finely chopped
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1.5 cups canned Tomatoesand their juice
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1 teaspoon Sea Salt
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1/2 teaspoon Pepper
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1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder
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32 ounces (canned) Red Kidney Beansdrained
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2 cups Rice
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3 cups Water
Steps for Tasty Red Beans, Spinach & Beef
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1
Done
10 Minutes
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Prepare the RiceIn a pot, add the water and rice, preparing according to its instructions. While the rice is cooking, you can prepare the ingredients. Drain the red beans, steam a bit the spinach, and dice the onion. |
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2
Done
10 Minutes
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Cook the beefIn a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onions and sauté until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the beef, and cook until opaque, about 6 minutes, stirring to crumble the meat. |
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3
Done
15 Minutes
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Add the SpinachAdd the spinach, and cook, turning until wilted, about 1 minute. Add 2/3 of canned tomatoes and their juice, the salt, pepper, and chili powder. Reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer to allow the flavors to blend, about 10 minutes. |
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4
Done
6 Minutes
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Stir in the Red BeansAfter simmering 10 minutes, add the remaining tomatoes and stir in the red beans, cover, and cook another 5 minutes. |
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5
Done
1 Minute
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Almost done!The rice is prepared by now. Place it in a bowl first, then add the red beans, spinach, and beef mixture. Serve Hot. Enjoy! |
Additional Info for Tasty Red Beans, Spinach & Beef
Red beans over rice are a Southern favorite, and the combo with spinach and beef will bring this dish to the next level. The spinach adds the extra nutritional value of green vegetables without changing the customary flavor of the dish, blending perfectly with red beans, beef, and rice. This is a tasty dish that uses simple ingredients to create a flavor profile that everyone can love!
Content on this page…
About Red Beans, Spinach, and Beef Recipe
Red beans with spinach and beef is an incredibly delicious mixture, perfect if served over steamed rice. It is packed with proteins and fibers, as well as vitamins and minerals (more about this under the Health Benefits heading). It is an easy recipe to put together, is versatile, full of flavor and light, and perfect for lunch or dinner.
If I have mustard greens instead of spinach, kale, or even collards I use them, so really you can switch it up however you like. You can also use tomatoes, preferably cherry, as they add a sweet flavor to this dish. If you want to use dried beans (you can use canned), always soak overnight then cook the next day.
This clearly demonstrates the versatility of this dish. If you want a quick meal, the red beans, spinach, and beef is the perfect combo served with rice (white or black), and keeps your stomach full for longer – resulting in weight loss. The red beans, spinach, and beef use a good amount of oil for roasting the ingredients. However, it is served with plain steamed rice, and you are going to need some ‘fats’ to absorb all the lovely nutrients in this delicious mixture.
All of the flavors will blend and meld perfectly to create a dish that is full of flavor and very filling and satisfying.
Health Benefits of Red Beans, Spinach, & Beef
Red beans with spinach and beef is what happens when tasty meets healthy! This mixture is loaded with intensely flavorful ingredients that are rich with phytochemicals known for chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory benefits, and are also good sources of chlorophyll, which is effective in negating the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines. The mixture will have also vitamin K, vitamin C, and vitamin A, as well as B vitamins and some minerals from the meat.
Can it be frozen or refrigerated?
Beans can be kept in the freezer for about 6 months. To use right out of the freezer, just add frozen beans directly to the recipes. They’ll thaw right in the pot or pan as they cook together.
To freeze spinach, blanch it first if you want to last for a year, or freeze it without blanching it if you’ll use it within 6 months. When you’re ready to freeze your spinach, put it into a sealable freezer bag and squeeze out the excess air with your hands.
When it comes to fresh meat (like beef), you should know it can last for several months in the freezer, depending on what type of meat it is.
As for the Red Beans, Spinach, & Beef mixture when fully cooked and blended is a little more specific with its saving and preservation. You can refrigerate it for up to 4-5 days or freeze it for as many as 3 months if it is placed in tight containers or plastic bags.
Notes and Tips
So much flavor, and so satisfying! These Red beans with spinach and beef make for a super easy weeknight dinner that can be on your table in about 30 minutes, and a nice alternative to common ground beef dinner staples like tacos, spaghetti, or chili.
- Sometimes, I like to cook red beans with spinach and beef with bone-in meat as it is more flavorful.
- You can add Mediterranean herbs
- The mixture should be thick and not watery
- Canned or cooked kidney beans can be used.
