Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans is a super easy skillet dinner, made in one pan. The rice is cooked with warm aromatics like onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika. Then you add diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and smoked beef sausage. Finally the kidney beans get added and you are left with a delicious dinner that is cooks in under 30 minutes, without a watchful eye.
This is not a spicy dish, it is simply full of warm and comforting flavors. Of course, you can make it spicy by adding extra red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
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A Perfect One Pan Dinner
I love a one pan dinner. There is nothing better than finishing dinner and only having one pan to wash.
This one skillet dinner is great on a night when you are busy and just want to be able to throw dinner in a pot and get on with your night.
Some of our other favorite one pan dinners are:
- Sausage and Veggies with Smoked Paprika Vinaigrette
- Ground Beef Taco Skillet
- Lasagna Skillet
- Mediterranean Shrimp Skillet
What Makes Dirty Rice, Dirty?
I actually had to look this up when I thought about this recipe. So I thought I would provide the information right here on Mom’s Dinner.
What I found is that Dirty Rice is called dirty because when white rice is cooked with all the Cajun and Creole spices the rice takes on a dirty appearance. Makes sense!
Cajun Seasoning
I like to use Louisiana Fish Fry Cajun Seasoning in this recipe.. and all my Cajun style recipes. It has a great mix of spices and salt.
Now if you choose to use a different Cajun seasoning check and see if it contains salt. If it does not, add a little less than ½ teaspoon of salt when you add the other seasonings to the onion-sausage mixture. Then wait to taste for additional salt at the end.
How to make Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans
This is a great set it and forget it recipe. Once all the ingredients are in the pot you have about 20-25 minutes to leave the kitchen and get other things done.
In a large skillet with a lid heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic to the pan and sauté for about 5 minutes.
While the onions and garlic sauté chop the sausage into a dice, about the size of a kidney bean. Toss that into the skillet.
Add all the seasonings and stir to coat the onions and sausage.
Pour the chicken broth and tomatoes into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Now add the rice and bring the heat up to medium high and let the liquid come to a hard simmer.
Lower the heat to low and pop the lid on. Simmer on low for 18-20 minutes.
Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, with the lid on for 5 minutes.
Stir in the kidney beans and it is time to eat!
More Cajun Recipes
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Did you make this recipe?
I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Skillet Dirty Rice & Beans Recipe + Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup yellow onion, diced - (about 1 onions)
- 3 plump garlic cloves - chopped
- 12 oz fully cooked Smoked Beef Sausage Link, cut into chunks about the size of the kidney beans - could use Andoullie sausage for more spice
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, heaping **see note about salt - (I use Louisiana Fish Fry Cajun Seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, heaping
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon each- garlic powder & onion powder
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, do not drain
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 15.5 oz light or dark red kidney beans, drained
Instructions
- In a large skillet with a lid heat the oil over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic for about 5 minutes, stirring often.Add the diced sausage and give a stir or two.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 cup yellow onion, diced, 3 plump garlic cloves, 12 oz fully cooked Smoked Beef Sausage Link, cut into chunks about the size of the kidney beans
- Sprinkle in all the seasonings and spices. Stir to coat the onions and sausage.Stir in the (uncooked) rice.1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, heaping **see note about salt, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, heaping, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon each- garlic powder & onion powder, pinch red pepper flakes, 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- Pour the chicken broth and tomatoes into the pot and scrape up and browned bits from the bottom of the pot.Turn the heat to medium high and bring the liquid to a hard simmer for a minute.Turn the heat to low and pop the lid on the pot. Cook for 18-20 minutes.1 ½ cups chicken broth, 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, do not drain
- Remove the pot from the burner and let sit, with the lid on, for 5 minutes.Stir the bean into the mixture and serve.15.5 oz light or dark red kidney beans, drained
Laura says
This was a really good dish! It made a bunch of servings. I might sear off the sausage first next time I make it. It was very satisfying with a spinach salad! Easy and fast cooking.
dan the dad says
currently laid off dad with a culinary backround and spent years in the kitchen, to learn i hate cooking! unless its for my wife and 2 children.. this recipe rocks! super easy and delish!
Lindy says
Made some substitutions just to use what I had (ground beef instead of andouille, added green pepper and celery) and it turned out delicious. The rice was cooked perfectly and I only had 1 dirty dish! A miracle! Will definitely try again with andouille, the beef just didn’t have enough flavor. Thank you for the easy recipe!
Sophie says
Huge hit for my boyfriend and I! We prefer brown rice and I had a red and yellow pepper laying around so I threw it in with the onion and garlic. Saved the recipe to make again and again! Never would have thought of this on my own, thanks so much!
Susie says
I am so glad you loved it. Thank you so much for commenting and rating the recipe!!
Kelly says
Cooked exactly as instructed and the rice wasn’t cooked all the way!
Susie says
I am so sorry. Did you use white rice? I know some other types of rice take longer to cook.
Kelly says
It was delicious once the rice was cooked haha. I’ll try it again with white rice, I used jasmine the first time. Thank so much!
Rebecca B says
Currently simmering! Smells delicious! Having this with some summer sweet corn on the porch this evening. Can’t wait!
Susie says
Excellent! Sounds like a perfect summer night.
Audre says
Followed the recipe to the T and it’s PERFECT!!! It’s absolutely delicious. I served it with a low country boil. My family loved it.
Susie says
I am so glad you loved it! It makes it so easy to be able to cook it in one skillet!
John says
When you add the rice is that cooked or uncooked?
Susie says
uncooked. I will add that distinction to the recipe. Thank you for bringing my attention to this!
John says
I have literally eaten this for at least one meal for the past three days. It is extremely hard to stop eating it! SO GOOD!!!
danielle says
I love cajun dishes like this. They have so much flavor and are the perfect comfort food. Great recipe Susie!!
Amy says
Can’t wait to try this dish! Looks amazing
Susie says
Great! I think it is gluten free?! Let me know how it turns out.
Tawnie Kroll says
Susie my stomach is growling looking at these photos! YUM!
Susie says
Good… that was my goal ; )
Anna Kate Goshko says
You know this southern girl loves some rice and beans! This looks delicious!
Susie says
Yes!! Definitely give it a try.
Emily says
My oldest loves anything Cajun. Need to make this for her ASAP!
Susie says
She will love this then! It isn’t spicy, just super flavorful.
Andrea Howe says
Sounds delicious, will have to make it asap!
Susie says
Please do! Let me know how it turns out for you.