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“Dirty” Bacon Quinoa and Black Beans

Categories Dairy free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthy Recipes, Main Course, Side Dish

This “dirty” bacon quinoa and black beans makes the perfect southern side dish. Tradition “dirty” rice has chicken livers in it, this recipe replaces them with bacon and the smokiness from that brings even more life to this herbaceous and flavorful dish!

I serve this under some blackened mahi mahi and it makes a delicious and easy dinner. RECIPE FOR BLACKENED MAHI MAHI IS HERE.

What you need to make “Dirty” Bacon Quinoa and Black Beans:

serves 3

  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa – rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon garlic – minced
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup bacon crumbles
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1- 14.5 ounce can black beans – drained and rinsed

Instructions

  1. Add rinsed quinoa to a small pot along with water, bay leaf, garlic, cayenne pepper, ground sage, paprika, bacon rumbles, thyme leaves and salt.
  2. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until quinoa’s “tails” or the little swirly parts come out, add more water if it over reduces before quinoa is cooked.
  3. Add rinsed black beans and heat until dish is warmed all of the way through.
  4. Serve and enjoy!
Print Recipe
4.67 from 6 votes

"Dirty" Bacon Quinoa and Black Beans

Loads of flavor in this non-traditional "dirty" recipe.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine: appetizer, Dinner, Side dish
Keyword: 30 minute, appetizer, beans, Dinner, Easy Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Kids Favorite, quinoa, side dish, Weekend Dinner, Weeknight Dinner
Servings: 3 people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup dry quinoa - rinsed
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon garlic - minced
  • dash cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground sage
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 cup bacon crumbles
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 14.5 ounce can black beans - drained and rinsed

Instructions

  • Add rinsed quinoa to a small pot along with water, bay leaf, garlic, cayenne pepper, ground sage, paprika, bacon rumbles, thyme leaves and salt.
  • Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until quinoa's "tails" or the little swirly parts come out, add more water if it over reduces before quinoa is cooked.
  • Add rinsed black beans and heat until dish is warmed all of the way through.
  • Serve and enjoy!