Easy Black Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

This easy Black Beans and Rice recipe is a dinner you can whip up quickly on a busy weeknight. Black beans, smoked sausage and rice is a winning combination every time!

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This recipe for Easy Black Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Wolf. It was originally published May 15, 2015. It’s been updated with new photos and additional information.

What I Love About Black Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

3 reasons I love this Recipe for Black Beans and Rice:

1. It is easy to have most, if not all, of the ingredients on hand that are needed for this recipe. I love pantry meals on busy nights and absolutely dislike last minute runs to the grocery store to make dinner.
2. This dinner recipe is easy to prepare! I love dishes that taste and look good, that my family likes, and that don’t take a ton of time in the kitchen.
3. It has great flavor! The addition of smoked sausage and using fire roasted tomatoes instead of plain diced tomatoes enhances this dish with extra flavor.

Reclaiming the Kitchen with this Easy Dinner Recipe

Earlier, I shared with you some tips to reclaim your kitchen and told you what is working for me. This #ReclaimtheKitchen topic has been a great journey for me to share with you.

Because a part of reclaiming the kitchen is cooking together with family and friends, I wanted to share with you a few last tips for connecting with your kids in the kitchen. You can use plenty of these tips as you prepare this easy black beans and rice recipe.

Many times I want my kids to play outside or do something quietly while I’m cooking dinner. The task usually gets done faster that way, but I try really hard to make a point to spend some time each week connecting with them in the kitchen.

Sometimes it might be just having them sit at one of the stools at the counter and talk to me about their day or whatever is on their mind while I cook.

Other times it is great to have them cook alongside me. Either way it does make the cooking process more enjoyable (even if it takes a little more time or effort) because I’m spending time with some of my favorite people in the world.

How to Involve Kids in Preparing this Recipe for Black Beans and Rice

Here are a few tasks kids can do to be involved in preparing this easy dinner recipe. Older kids can participate in any of the tasks listed for ages younger than they are. The great thing is that the earlier you start, the more proficient your kids will become in the kitchen. Eventually dinner will be a breeze to whip up with all of the helping hands that you’ll have in the kitchen.

Ages 5-6

• Pouring pre-measured ingredients.
• Observing as you prepare these Black Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage as you talk them through the steps.
• Tearing lettuce for salad, snapping the ends off of green beans, rinsing vegetables in a colander are great ways young kids can help making side dishes to go with this recipe.
• Setting the table.

Ages 7-8

• Practice reading recipes and setting out the appropriate ingredients for this dish.
• Measuring ingredients, such as rice and spices needed to make this Black Beans and Rice Recipe.
• Stirring the onions and peppers while they saute. (Keep in mind stove safety and always supervise your child)
• Opening cans of black beans (under supervision so they don’t cut themselves on the sharp edges).

Ages 9-10

• Reading recipe instructions and explaining what steps come next.

Ages 10+

• Chopping vegetables and smoked sausage.
• Preparing simple recipes, like this recipe for Black Beans and Rice, with supervision rather than assistance.

With these simple tasks, you’re teaching your kids important skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. It’s also another great opportunity to spend time together and connecting over a fun activity.

Always supervise your child in the kitchen for their safety and assess their personal readiness for these tasks. Ages listed are guidelines only.

Black Beans and Rice Ingredients

To wrap things up, I wanted to share with you a super quick but tasty black beans and rice recipe. This is the perfect recipe that you can use when you might be feeling like you need a little extra help reclaiming your kitchen.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe for black beans, smoked sausage and rice:

• Rice
• Olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Butter
• Smoked sausage
• Green bell pepper
• Garlic
• Spices
• Canned black beans
• Fire roasted tomatoes
• Salt and pepper

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Black Beans and Rice

This easy black beans and rice recipe doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare, and if you have little ones it is an easy one for them to help out with. Kiddos can open the cans, drain the beans, or sauté onions and peppers (Madeline loves to help me with this!).

Here’s how I like to make this easy black beans and rice recipe:

1. Prepare the rice with butter according to package instructions.
2. Sauté the onion and sausage in an oiled skillet until tender.
3. Add the bell pepper and garlic and continue cooking.
4. Stir in remaining ingredients, followed by the cooked rice.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy!

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

Can I Omit the Sausage?

If you’re vegetarian/vegan, you’re welcome to omit the sausage from this recipe for Black Beans and Rice (or use a plant based sausage substitute).

If you don’t consume pork, look for a smoked chicken sausage instead. Otherwise I highly recommend including the smoked sausage as it really bulks up this dish and packs in tons of flavor.

Click HERE to save this Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe!

Can I Prep This in Advance?

Definitely. This easy black beans and rice recipe make a hearty dish that can withstand being made in advance and reheated later. Just note that you may need to add a splash of water when reheating the black beans, smoked sausage and rice to prevent the mixture from drying out.

Another time saving tip is to prep all of the ingredients ahead of time and prepare the remaining steps of the recipe just before serving the Black Beans and Rice.

I like to do this by chopping the vegetables and sausage and preparing the rice. Then, store those ingredients in the fridge until you’re ready to cook.

Tips for Making Black Bean and Rice

You can use any rice you’d like in this smoked sausage dinner recipe. Just keep in mind that some varieties of rice take longer to cook than others, so you’ll need to account for the cook time before beginning this recipe.

If you can’t find chili beans in sauce where you live, you’re welcome to use regular canned black beans instead. Consider adding a teaspoon of chili powder to make up for it.

I prefer making dishes like this black beans and rice recipe in my Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 3-1/2-Quart Round Braiser. In general, cast iron pots are great to use for stove-top recipes since cast iron conducts heat more evenly than other skillets.

Click HERE to save this Easy Black Beans and Rice Recipe!

Reader Reviews for This Black Beans and Rice Recipe

“So easy to prepare and taste awesome. Looked for recipe because my son, 15, said he had a dish like this at a scout camp. So to combine rice and smoked sausage and having him to like is great too. Thanks”

What Goes with Black Beans and Rice?

A side salad is what goes best with this recipe for Black Beans and Rice.

A side salad doesn’t have to be fancy at all. For a simple side salad to go with these Black Beans and Rice, we use mixed greens, lettuce, cucumber, shredded carrot, and tomato. Try some of these 3 Simple Salad Dressing Recipes to go along with your salad.

If you prefer another type of vegetable to serve along side this dish, I recommend a simple side dish of roasted broccoli.

More Smoked Sausage Recipes:

This Sweet and Sour Sausage is packed with veggies and flavored with the most amazing homemade sweet and sour sauce.

Smoky Black Bean Soup is made with andouille sausage and has the most incredible smoky flavor. Perfect when the weather is colder!

If you love this black beans and rice recipe, you’ll definitely enjoy this Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage as well. It’s another easy recipe that’s great on busy weeknights.

This Smoked Sausage Jambalaya comes together in under an hour. Bonus: it uses just one pan, which means fewer dishes to clean!

What easy meals help you reclaim your kitchen?

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Photography: photos taken in this post are by Rachael from Set the Table.