Red Beans and Rice is a slightly spicy side dish recipe that can easily be turned into a Cajun-inspired main dish with the help of some andouille sausage!
Red Beans and Rice is a super simple one skillet recipe that’s perfect as a side dish or add some diced chicken or sliced sausage to make it a main dish!
A couple weeks ago I was cruising the grocery store trying to find some inspiration for a side dish to go with some grilled chicken we were having that night for dinner.
I spotted a package of Dirty Red Beans and Rice. After I picked up the tiny pouch and studied the ingredients. I thought to myself, this wouldn’t feed my family of 6, and then I thought, heck, why don’t I just make my own version from scratch!?
So I did just that!
Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe
It doesn’t take long to whip up this tasty side dish.
I took direction from my Easy Mexican Rice and just tweaked the flavor profile to match that down-south feel.
I’m obsessed with cajun spices right now. I just posted this Cajun Chicken Pasta (which is all made in one skillet too), and I can’t get enough of it!
You need to jump on this spice train with me! Toot toot!
Turn Rice into Main Dish
After I made this easy side dish, I realized that I could very easily make this a main course by simply adding some sliced andouille sausage to the skillet while I’m sautéing the onion!
Here’s a pro tip when making any skillet rice dish – TOAST THE RICE!
When you slightly toast the rice before adding the liquid it helps the rice to not become sticky and clumpy when cooked. Leaving you with a fluffy rice pilaf that your family with keep coming back for more!
I like to toast my rice right in the skillet, after I’ve sautéed my onion and red bell pepper. I’ll throw in my spices and let those get a little toasty too. It helps to bring out all the aromatic flavors.
More Easy Rice Recipes To Try:
Craving more easy rice recipes? Here are some more favorites that are sure to please…
Whether you serve this as a side dish or a main dish, you’re going to love all the flavors and ease of this delicious recipe!
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Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup white long grain rice, I prefer Jasmine Rice
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 15 oz red beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 tbsp cilantro, freshly chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Sauté the onion and red bell pepper for about 2 to 3 minutes, until they soften slightly.
- Add the rice, cajun seasoning and garlic salt, stirring until the rice is slightly browned, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken broth and stir until combined. Bring mixture to a slight boil. Add beans, stir, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and cook for 15 to 18 minutes, or until rice is tender. Stir to fluff the rice. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and serve warm. Enjoy!
Biscoff Banana Cream Pie
Mona
Next time I make this I’ll use diced tomatoes insread of sauce.
Susan
This is my 5th time making this with andoulli sausage added at the end. Oh my goodness,we love dish! Perfect as it is.
Neuria
Mmm! Very rich! I used V8 juice, paprika, garlic, all in a cast iron pan with the other stuff. I used a red bean and rice mix box plus a can of pinto beans. The sauce came out very thick and everything is nice and tender and pleasantly seasoned! Enjoying with sweet tea
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed it!
Gina G
Replace chicken broth with veggie broth for a nutritious and delicious meal. Nothing tastes better than a cruelty-free meal. ❤️
Robert
The only “cruelty” is losing the delicious flavor!
Ron Begnaud
Tomato sauce has no business in red beans and rice. Also, red beans and rice isn’t Cajun, it’s New Orleans Creole cooking. Next time you’re tempted to make something “Cajun”, just NO.
Aimee
Absolutely correct. This is not red beans and rice. I dont know what this is but it is an insult to true red beans. I guess anyone can be a blogger. Perhaps some research should be done first.
Robert
It’s essentially a stripped-down veggie version of jambalaya.
DD75
People crying because a tomato product was added to the dish. LOL what a bunch of snowflakes.
Adinah
Perfect flavors! I added scrambled eggs toward the last 5 minutes of the simmer. Instead of red peppers I did tomatoes. Love this, thanks for sharing.
Jessica W
Made this tonight with simple grilled chicken and a green salad. It was so good!!! If I wasn’t watching my weight I would have added cornbread for the perfect meal. Thanks for a fantastic recipe!!
Mita2
Wow!! Just made this tonight ! It was Taco night and This rice is the perfect side. I used black beans instead as I had those handy. The cajun spice added just the right kick of spice. I will be making This again and again. 🙂
Mita2
Hi there… is this going to be too liquidity if I am adding 3 cups of liquid to 1 cup of rice…? I’m just concerned
Shawn
Nope you’ll be good!
Susan
Tonight will be my 4th time with this recipe. It’s beautiful. I add andouille sausage. It’s perfect!
Debra
I forgot to click the follow up with response by email ref my comment about sausage in this red beans and rice recipe
Debra
Is it just me or is the sausage missing in ingredients and directions? I saw the video,and photos so I know it’s supposed to be in the dish
Shawn
You can add sausage to make it a full meal, or leave it out and it’s a side dish option! 🙂
candy
Made this last night with Chili Seasoning, instead of the Cajon, with Kidney and Black Beans and long grain brown rice, was delicious!
Totally doing it again 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Shawn
Awesome! Love the twist!
Sherrry
Yummy. It is my new go to easy meal recipe. Made this several times. Everyone loved it. This and a pan of cornbread. thank you for such a amazing easy recipe. Make it with turkey sausage.
Shawn
So glad you enjoyed it!
Amy
I’ve made this twice now. It’s easy and tasty. My picky boyfriend loves it. We sauté some polish sausage and add it at the end.
Shawn
Yum! We love adding sausage to this too!
Emily
I bought instant rice…will that work as well?
Shawn
No, instant rice and jasmine rice does not cook the same way.
Jennifer Lampert
Where in the recipe does it say which type of rice to use?
Shawn
I realize I failed to mention which type of white rice to use in the actual recipe. I’ll go ahead and update it. But you should be good with any long grain white rice. Jasmine is my favorite.
Ann
does it work just as well with brown rice?
Anthony Maggio
I tried this recipe for a picnic this past weekend for Memorial Day weekend, and it was a huge success!! The hardest thing about the recipe was dicing the onion and red pepper. A few of my friends said the Dirty Red Beans and Rice was one of the best dishes at the picnic. I will definitely will make it again.
Shawn
That’s awesome! So glad everyone enjoyed it Anthony! 🙂
Rahul Gandhi
Looks seriously YUMMY!!!
De
I had those chicken and apple sausages from SAM’S CLub that I am not that crazy about — other than they are low calorie/low fat. I thought this recipe would over power them and make a nice protein addition. It did! I replaced the bell pepper and tomato sauce with salsa. It came out great!!
Becky
I used regular rice, but it seems to require instant rice
Gabriekka
If looks awesome and I think I will make it? Quick question, is your tomato sauce liquid broth or more of a thicker saucy thing?
Joan W.
This was so good! Thank you!
Shawn
You’re very welcome Joan! So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Patti
I’ve been obsessed with Cajun seasoning lately, too, but it won’t show up on my blog until July/August. This recipe looks delicious. I love red beans and rice. This recipe is much simpler than mine, but it doesn’t appear to lose any of the flavor. Great recipe. I will be making this as a side with my blackened pork chops.
sheila
Hi can i make this dish ahead of time, if i have many dishes to prepare?
Thank you!