Description
Black Beans and Rice with Sausage is a hearty, one-pot dinner packed with smoky sausage, tender black beans, fluffy rice, and colorful bell peppers. This easy weeknight recipe delivers bold flavor with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy families, meal prep, and cozy comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
12–14 oz chicken sausage, sliced into rounds
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or green), diced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika optional)
½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
Brown the sausage:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 4–5 minutes. Remove and set aside.Sauté the vegetables:
In the same pot, add diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.Add spices and rice:
Stir in cumin, paprika, oregano, and chili powder. Cook for 30 seconds. Add rice and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring to coat with spices.Combine and simmer:
Add black beans, broth, and cooked sausage back into the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.Rest and finish:
Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Garnish with chopped cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime before serving.
Notes
Brown rice can be used but will require 35–45 minutes of cook time and extra broth.
Quinoa may be substituted; reduce liquid slightly and cook about 15 minutes.
Use smoked or spicy sausage for deeper flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Add a splash of broth when reheating to keep rice moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Southwest
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg