Description
A hearty and flavorful one-pan meal combining smoky sausage, tender black beans, and perfectly cooked rice with a blend of spices. This skillet dish is easy to prepare and ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup white or brown rice
- 1 pound smoked sausage (such as kielbasa or andouille), sliced
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Rinse the rice: Rinse the rice under cold water using a fine mesh strainer until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch and prevents the rice from becoming sticky. Set aside.
- Heat the oil and cook sausage: In a large skillet or sauté pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and heated through.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Combine rice: Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir well to incorporate it with the sausage and vegetable mixture.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the broth.
- Add black beans: Remove the skillet from heat and gently stir in the rinsed black beans. Cover again and let the dish sit for 5 minutes to warm the beans through.
- Season and garnish: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute smoked sausage with chorizo or any spicy sausage for variation.
- Brown rice can be used instead of white rice, but may require additional cooking time and broth.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Allowing the beans to warm in the residual heat preserves their texture and prevents overcooking.
- Fresh cilantro adds a bright, fresh taste, but you can omit it if you prefer.
