Description
Black Beans and Rice with Sausage: A comforting and flavorful dish featuring hearty black beans, savory sausage, and aromatic spices. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 1 medium onion (about 1 cup/160g), finely diced
- 1 green bell pepper (about ¾ cup/120g), diced
- 3 cloves garlic (about 1 tablespoon/9g), minced
- 2 cans (15oz/425g each) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1½ cups (300g) long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 3 cups (720ml) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 2 teaspoons (5g) cumin
- 1 teaspoon (2g) dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon (6g) salt
- ½ teaspoon (1g) black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Brown the Sausage Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the sliced sausage. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sausage develops a beautiful golden-brown crust. The caramelization process creates deep, rich flavor that forms the foundation of your Black Beans and Rice with Sausage. Once browned, transfer the sausage to a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the flavorful drippings in the pot.
- Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics Reduce heat to medium and add the diced onion and bell pepper to the sausage drippings. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften. Add the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, and half the salt and pepper, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic brown, as it can become bitter. The vegetables will absorb the sausage flavor while releasing their own aromatic compounds.
- Step 3: Combine the Main Ingredients Return the browned sausage to the pot and add the rinsed rice, stirring to coat each grain with the seasoned oil. This brief toasting of the rice adds another dimension of flavor and helps maintain the rice’s integrity during cooking. Add the drained black beans, remaining seasonings, and bay leaves, stirring gently to combine all ingredients.
- Step 4: Add Liquid and Simmer Pour in the chicken broth and give everything one good stir to ensure nothing is sticking to the bottom. Bring the mixture to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 20 minutes without stirring. The sealed environment creates the perfect steaming conditions for tender, fluffy rice.
- Step 5: Rest and Serve When the cooking time is complete, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Allow your Black Beans and Rice with Sausage to rest for 5 minutes – this critical resting period allows the moisture to distribute evenly throughout the dish. Remove the bay leaves, fluff gently with a fork, and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for a bright finish that cuts through the richness of the dish.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 415 calories
- Sugar: 4 grams
- Sodium: 1080 mg
- Fat: 18 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 46 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Protein: 15 grams
- Cholesterol: 40 mg