Hearty Black Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage Recipe
This hearty black beans and rice recipe with smoked sausage is a flavorful, one-pot meal perfect for a comforting and nutritious dinner. The dish combines tender black beans, aromatic spices, and smoky sausage with fluffy long-grain rice, all simmered together to meld the flavors. Garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges, it offers a balanced and satisfying taste with a hint of zest.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups chicken broth, low sodium preferred
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on both sides. Once browned, remove the sausage from the pot and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add Spices and Rice: Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and chili powder, mixing well with the sautéed vegetables. Add the uncooked long-grain white rice and toast it by stirring for 1 to 2 minutes to enhance its nutty flavor.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked sausage to the pot and add the drained and rinsed black beans along with 2 cups of chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Fluff and Finish: Remove the pot from heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes with the lid on. After resting, fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve with wedges of lime for squeezing over each serving to add fresh brightness.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño when sautéing the vegetables.
- You can substitute the smoked sausage with a plant-based sausage to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly.
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in the dish.
- Ensure to drain and rinse canned black beans to reduce excess sodium and improve texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: black beans and rice, sausage recipe, one pot meal, quick dinner, smoked sausage, easy dinner, cumin recipe, paprika, hearty meal