Easy Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage

Cajun cooking is flavorful simplicity at its finest. A soulful blend of French Canadian, African, and Native American gives this cuisine a rich, eclectic flair that turns basic ingredients into warm, inviting dinners—simple to prepare and easy to enjoy.

Common Cajun ingredients include rice, beans, peppers, celery, onion, okra, seafood, and sausage—particularly that Bayou staple, andouille. This smoked pork sausage is seasoned with garlic, cayenne, and other spices and is used in a variety of southern Louisiana soups and stews, as well as beans and rice dishes, as here.

Beans, rice, vegetables, sausage. It’s delicious, and deliciously simple. Just add hot sauce. (If you want to.)

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4 lb andouille sausages, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 small jalapenos, thinly sliced crosswise
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup chopped red or green bell pepper (or a mixture)
• 1 (15-oz) can chili beans or red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tsp red wine vinegar
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced
• hot sauce, for serving (optional)

Prepared Andouille

Prepared Vegetables

Preparation

1. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the andouille and cook, stirring a few times, until browned, 4-5 minutes.
2. Add the garlic, jalapenos, onion, celery, and bell pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to soften, 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the beans, broth, and vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Cook until some of the liquid is absorbed, 3 minutes.
4. Stir in the rice, cover, and cook 3-4 minutes, or until hot throughout.

Andouille Beginning to Cook

Vegetable Mixture Added

Bean Mixture Added

Rice Added

Sprinkle with sliced scallions and serve, passing hot sauce at the table, if desired.

Easy Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage