Easy Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe
This Black Beans and Rice with Sausage recipe has tons of flavor! And after making it just once, I bet it will become one of your favorite recipes.
Break out of the chicken rut and make this dish for an easy weeknight meal. It is so delicious you’ll even make it a go-to dish when entertaining friends.
Most people think of red beans and rice or a chicken and rice casserole when they are thinking about an easy rice dish. Also, black beans are often associated with Mexican dishes. So, you may be surprised to see them as the key ingredient in this dish.
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Delicious Meal for Family or to Entertain Friends
Making black beans and rice with sausage in the slow cooker is a perfect recipe for a quick meal on busy weeknights. But it is not only a great weeknight meal. It is also a great dish to serve when entertaining friends.
Basically, all you have to do is add a side salad and bread and you have a quick meal on your hands. And the best part is this incredibly flavored, but simple meal allows for quick cleanup due to fewer dishes.
You may be wondering what makes this black beans and rice dish so different. Well, I use Mexican-inspired flavors with smokey undertones to elevate this dish. Read on.
Ingredients for This Black Beans and Rice Recipe
All the ingredients you need for this recipe are readily available in grocery stores. Several are pantry staples, so you may already have them in stock.
The key to this flavorful dish is the combination of spices, so don’t be frugal with them.
Also, don’t be overwhelmed by the number of ingredients. This really is an easy recipe.
Here is what you’ll need:
- 3 cups dry black beans
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tsp oregano, Mexican if you have it
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 6 Garlic cloves peeled and smashed
- 3 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 – 8 cups water
- 1 – 2 Red Bell Peppers, about 1 1/2 – 2 cups diced; you can also use orange or yellow peppers
- One Green Bell Pepper
- One large red onion; you can use yellow onions as well
- 1 pound smoked sausage such as Ekrich
- 1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Oregano, Mexican preferred
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika or you can use chili powder
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper for a little heat or red pepper flakes
- 6 cups chicken stock or chicken broth, preferably homemade
- 3 cups long grain white rice
How To Make Black Beans and Rice With Sausage Recipe
Don’t overthink the steps. This really is a recipe for easy black beans despite the length of the recipe.
Overnight Soak and Flavor the Black Beans
To begin with, you’ll soak the beans overnight. First, pick through black beans and remove any debris. Rinse black beans and place in a large bowl. Add water to cover beans with 2 inches of water and set aside to soak overnight.
The next day you’ll cook the beans. First, drain beans and place them in a 5-quart stock pot or Dutch oven. Add the bay leaves, oregano, thyme, smashed garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Cover with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 – 45 minutes.
Prep the Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Dish
While the beans are cooking dice the peppers and onion. Then, slice the smoked sausage into ½ inch slices.
Set a large skillet over medium high heat and add 1 teaspoon olive oil. When oil is hot add the sliced smoked sausage. You just want to cook until you have slightly brown sausage on both sides. About 4 – 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, place in 7-quart slow cooker set on high.
Add the remaining olive oil to the heated pan. Then, add the onion and cook for two minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally. Finally, add the diced red bell peppers, diced green pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Cook everything for three minutes stirring occasionally.
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in spices to onion mixture and cook for 1 minute.
Afterward, pour the onion mixture into the slow cooker.
Strain cooked beans reserving ¾ cup of bean stock. Remove larger pieces of garlic.
Option to Cook the Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe the Next Day
At this point, you can hold the process for black beans and rice with sausage recipe if you want to cook this dish the next day. Leave out the chicken stock until you are ready to cook. Put the onion mixture, beans, and sausage together in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you intend to continue then pour beans into a slow cooker. Add 6 cups chicken broth or stock, reserved bean stock, and bay leaf.
Cook time will be 4 – 6 hours on HIGH or 8 – 10 hours on LOW. I program my slow cooker timer for 6 hours on HIGH and then 3-4 hours on LOW if I am not home. When I am home I program WARM temperature and check the doneness of the beans. If they need more time I set the temperature to LOW.
About 45 minutes before serving, cook rice according to package directions. You can cook the rice on the stove or use your Instant Pot if you have one. When the rice is done just fluff with a fork and set aside until you are ready to serve.
Remove bay leaves from cooked beans and serve over rice.
Do You Have to Overnight Soak the Beans?
Not necessarily. You can throw the dry beans into a pot with water and cook the black beans without soaking. However, soaking beans ensures they’ll cook faster and more evenly.
Additionally, according to WebMD, soaking black beans can make them easier to digest by reducing some of the gas-producing elements.
How To Store Cooked Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe
This recipe for Black Beans and Rice with Sausage dish is even better when served the next day or later in the week.
Follow the recipe through the step of combining everything in the slow cooker. Put the food in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. It will keep just fine for three days.
On the day you are ready to serve, put the bean mixture in the slow cooker and follow the cooking instructions. Make the rice when you are ready to serve.
If you have leftovers, they can be kept in the refrigerator in an airtight container for three to five days.
Are Black Beans Healthy?
Yes, black beans are very healthy.
The antioxidants, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates in black beans make them a nutritional powerhouse. And half a cup of cooked black beans has 7 grams of fiber making them an excellent choice for a healthy diet.
To learn more about the nutrients of black beans check out this post on Refried Beans vs. Black Beans. It provides in-depth nutritional information on black beans and how they are better for you than refried beans.
Other Recipes for Black Beans
Try this recipe for Mexican Style Black Beans.
The recipe is a delicious side dish in this complete menu with grilled Beef Fajitas.
The post includes some great wine recommendations for fajitas!
Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe Substitutions
It is easy to make your own version of this rice dish. I altered this meal and included the results with the pictures in this post. I used orange and yellow bell peppers to add some sweetness. Normally I use the red and green bell peppers in the original recipe.
You can substitute beef sausage, chicken or turkey sausage, or andouille sausage for the smoked version in the original recipe.
As for the rice, you can make yellow rice or a brown rice version of this recipe. I often use brown rice in place of white rice when I want to increase my fiber intake.
Also, if you have fresh herbs on hand use those instead of dried ones. Just increase the amount to your taste and liking.
Certainly, you can swap out the dry black beans for canned beans or replace them with pinto beans. If you use canned beans simply rinse the black beans and put them directly into the slow cooker.
Feel free to use yellow onions in place of the spicier red onions.
If you prefer more traditional red beans and rice, you can use a Cajun seasoning blend in place of the spices.
These beans and rice are also a great side dish for pork chops. Leave the sausage out and add one small can of tomato sauce. This will make the dish a little thinner while adding a nice tang next to the pork.
Other Cooking Methods for Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe
Although the original recipe calls for a slow cooker, you can also make this dish on your stove top. Make the beans recipe in a Dutch oven and cook over medium heat for 4 – 5 hours. Keep an eye on it and have a cup water by the stove in case you need to add a little.
You can also use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to cook up this dish.
What to Serve With this recipe for Black Beans and Rice
This main dish can easily become a complete meal with the addition of a side salad and some bread. I love cornbread with this meal.
Furthermore, a perfect meal addition is a toppings bar. I like to squirt a little lime juice on the beans for a tangy topper, so I often have a small bowl of lime slices available.
Other toppings to consider include:
- sour cream
- chopped green onions
- hot sauce
- salsa
- pico de gallo
- fresh cilantro
- shredded Mexican blend cheese
Let your imagination go and add whatever you think would taste good.
Invite Friends Over for Easy Entertaining
This is a dish the whole family will love. I hope it will become part of your regular rotation of dishes.
Also, the next time you want to invite friends over, but don’t want to sweat what to cook make this Black Beans and Rice with Sausage Recipe. It is an easy dinner idea that is tasty for a group and satisfying for your budget.
Cheers Y’all!
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Black Beans and Rice with Sausage
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- large skillet
- 5-quart pot
Ingredients
For the Beans
- 3 cups dry black beans
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tsp oregano Mexican if you have it
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 6 Garlic cloves peeled and smashed
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 – 8 cups water
For the Dish
- 1 – 2 Red Bell Peppers about 1 1/2 – 2 cups diced
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 large red or yellow onion
- 1 pound smoked sausage
- 1 Tbsp olive oil divided
- 4 Garlic cloves
- 1 Tbsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Oregano Mexican preferred
- 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 6 cups chicken stock preferably homemade
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cups long grain white rice
Instructions
- Pick through black beans and remove any debris. Rinse black beans and place in a large bowl. Add water to cover beans with 3 inches of water. Soak overnight.3 cups dry black beans
- Cook Beans
- Drain beans and place in a 5 quart stock pot or dutch oven. Add the bay leaf, oregano, thyme, smashed garlic cloves, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Cover with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 – 45 minutes.1 bay leaf, 2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp Thyme, 6 Garlic cloves peeled and smashed, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper, 6 – 8 cups water
- For the Dish
- While beans are cooking dice the peppers and onion.1 – 2 Red Bell Peppers, 1 Green Bell Pepper, 1 large red or yellow onion
- Slice smoked sausage into ½ inch slices.1 pound smoked sausage
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 teaspoon olive oil. When oil is hot add sliced smoked sausage. Cook until just browned 4 – 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, place in 7 quart slow cooker set on high.1 Tbsp olive oil
- Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to the heated pan. Add the onion. Cook for two minutes stirring occasionally. Add the bell peppers, salt and pepper. Cook three minutes stirring occasionally.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute.4 Garlic cloves
- Stir in spices to onion mixture and cook 1 minute.1 Tbsp Cumin, 1 tsp Oregano, 2 tsp Smoked Paprika, 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Pour onion mixture into slow cooker.
- Strain cooked beans reserving ¾ cup of bean stock. Remove larger pieces of garlic.
- Pour beans into slow cooker. Add 6 cups chicken stock, reserved bean stock, and bay leaf.6 cups chicken stock, 1 bay leaf
- Cook on high 4 – 6 hours or low for 8 – 10 hours.
- About 45 minutes before serving, cook rice according to package directions.3 cups long grain white rice
- Remove bay leaves from cooked beans and serve over rice.
Notes
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