Black Beans Sausage Rice (Print)

Smoky sausage, black beans, and fluffy rice cooked together in a flavorful tomato base.

# Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 10 oz smoked sausage (such as andouille or kielbasa), sliced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Grains and Legumes

06 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Liquids

08 - 1⅔ cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices

→ Spices and Seasonings

10 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
12 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
13 - ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnishes

15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
16 - Lime wedges, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook until browned, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and jalapeño; cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Stir in the rice, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to toast the rice and bloom the spices.
04 - Add the black beans, diced tomatoes with juices, and chicken broth. Stir well to combine all components.
05 - Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Return the browned sausage to the skillet and stir to combine. Cook uncovered for 2 to 3 minutes to heat through and allow excess liquid to evaporate.
07 - Remove from the heat. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • One skillet, real dinner: Everything cooks in the same pan, which means fewer dishes and more time doing literally anything else.
  • Naturally gluten-free: This is genuine comfort food that won't leave anyone at the table feeling left out.
  • Flexible enough for improvisation: Add more heat, swap the protein, or pile on toppings without breaking the whole thing.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice: I learned this the hard way when I got lazy and ended up with a slightly gummy texture that felt off despite all the other flavors being right.
  • The liquid ratio is exact for a reason: Too much and you're eating rice soup, too little and the rice won't fully cook—measure it out rather than eyeballing it.
03 -
  • Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid: This keeps the steam trapped so the rice cooks evenly without you having to peek or stir.
  • Let the sausage brown properly before removing it: Those caramelized edges are where most of the flavor comes from, so give them time to develop.
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