Cajun Beans and Rice is an easy one pot meal that is known for its incredibly delicious Southern Cajun flavor from the sausage coins, rice, beans and seasonings.
If you are new to one pot meals, they make dinner clean up time a breeze. This Rice and Beans dish is made in one skillet, like some of my other easy dinners, Easy Cheesy Goulash and my Cheesy Sausage Zucchini Casserole. They really are a must have for every kitchen.
Why This Recipe Works
This Mardi Gras classic dinner recipe, like other Cajun cooking recipes, is a Southern necessity that’s known for such depth of flavor and is one that will keep you full all night long.
This one-pot stovetop method will become your favorite way to make this cajun red beans and rice dish.
Ready in only 35 minutes, it’s a quick dinner to have on the table for those busy nights that won’t break the bank. You should also try this Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta!
Ingredients Needed
- Oil: olive oil or other oil of preference, like vegetable oil or avocado oil.
- Chicken stock: Low sodium is always recommended, you can also use vegetable stock.
- Sausage: Smoked sausage, Kielbasa, Andouille sausage all work great.
- Veggies: diced onion, canned diced tomatoes with juice.
- Herbs and spices: minced garlic cloves, cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and chopped parsley
- Beans: Kidney beans, pinto beans or even black beans all work great.
- Rice: long grain rice. I used Jasmine rice but basmati or long grain white rice would also work
How to Make Cajun Rice and Beans
- Step 1: Heat a large skillet, add cooking oil and the sausage. Cook sausage, remove to a plate, and set aside.
- Step 2: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook until soft. add garlic and cook a bit more. Transfer cooked sausage back to skillet with the onion. Add rice and spices, stir to combine.
- Step 3: Pour in chicken stock and tomatoes. Stir to combine.
- Step 4: Increase the heat and bring to a simmer for a few minutes. Scrape the bottom of the skillet as you stir so you get any of the browned bits with all the flavor.
- Step 5: Move skillet to the smallest burner and reduce the heat. Place lid over the skillet and cook.
- Step 6: Remove the lid and stir in the drained kidney beans. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Recipe Tips
- If using brown rice other other rice varieties, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Like a little more heat? Add some more red pepper flakes or try some cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
- Be sure to measure rice and chicken stock appropriately as you can mess up the consistency easily.
- Serve this main dish with greens and some Sweet Honey Cornbread. But, it’s a complete meal all in itself.
