One-pot cajun rice and beans is a simple meal loaded with smoked sausage, beans, rice, and a super hearty flavor-packed meal. Good for the soul southern comfort food! This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
This dish is cooked on the stovetop while deep flavors of cajun spices, paprika, and chili powder soak into the rice. The added sausage and beans make it a satisfying one-pot meal the whole family will love.
Can I use a different kind of sausage?
Yes, Adoullie, Smoked sausage, Keiblasa, or even a chicken or turkey sausage will work just fine, like in my Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta.
Tips for making cajun rice and beans
- Make sure you use a 12-inch skillet or pot with a lid, I like to use my Lodge Casserole Dish.
- If you like even more spice feel free to add in a little more red pepper flakes.
- I use Louisiana Cajun Seasoning, but you can use whatever you like.
- Don’t drain the grease from the sausages, it adds flavor.
- Do not be tempted to lift the lid and peak!
- Measure the rice and chicken stock properly, too much of one or the other can really affect your results.
- I use jasmine rice, but basmati or regular long-grain white rice will work just fine.
- I like to add in the kidney beans at the end.
Can I use a different bean?
Yes, any bean will work in the recipe. Pinto beans or even Cannellini beans are great options.
What should I serve this with?
This recipe is a complete meal by itself. Served with a side of Sweet Honey Cornbread and greens are classic sides to red beans and rice. But you can also serve this as a side dish to my Sweet and Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs.
Can you freeze this?
Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Cool completely and place in an airtight freezable container or ziplock freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can either reheat in the microwave or in a skillet until heated through.
How long is cajun rice and beans good for?
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It tastes even better the next day for lunch!
One-Pot Cajun Rice and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 oz fully cooked smoked Beef Sausage Link cut into ¼ inch slices.
- 1 cup onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes do not drain
- 1 cup long-grain rice I used Jasmine
- 15.5 oz red kidney beans drained
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
- Add salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large 12-inch skillet (you need a lid) on medium-high heat and add in the olive oil. Add in the sausage and saute for about 5 minutes, remove sausages to a plate, and set aside.
- Add in the diced onion and cook 3-5 minutes just until soft. Add in the minced garlic and cook another minute.
- Add back in the sausages and sprinkle in the , paprika, chili powder, onion and garlic powder, and red pepper flakes and mix until coated.
- Add in the chicken broth, tomatoes, and rice, Turn up the heat a bit and bring it to a simmer 2-3 minutes and stir scraping the bottom from any browned bits.
- Move the skillet to the smallest burner and reduce the heat to the low temp. Place the lid on the skillet and cook for 20 minutes ( do NOT remove the lid to peek) then turn the heat off and let it sit for 5-10 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Remove the lid and stir in the drained beans and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
Wendie
If your rice was still hard then the time was up it was either not enough liquid or it didn't simmer/cook long enough. Maybe turn the heat up a bit more.
M.P.
I followed this recipe exactly how it is. After moving the skillet to the smallest burner, putting the heat to the lowest setting, NOT lifting the lid for 20 minutes, turning off the heat and letting it sit for 10 more minutes, the rice was not even cooked (still hard).
Wendie
Yay Alana, happy you enjoyed it! It's always the hardest not to lift the lid lol
Alana
Tried this last week and it was delicious! I did the recipe as written except I used kielbasa because that's what I had at the moment. I was nervous about not peeking until done, but it was perfect it the time listed. Thank you!
ScooterAL
I could see adding some Shrimp or browning some ground beef, pork, or poultry. This would be a good base to add whatever you have on hand. I'm the kind of person who would never make this exactly the same way twice.
Wendie
Yay Aimee so happy everybody loved it. Kids can be our worst critics happy they loved it 🙂
Aimee
I have made similar meals, but this one was by far the best! My picky kids loved it! Soo much flavor and easy to make, I will definitely make it again.
Wendie
You can leave the tomatoes out and add a little more water.
Kelly
Can I leave the tomatoes out? Do I need to add a little water in that case?
Aloha
Might use some green onions in the recipe as well as for garnish ?