Flavorful Jailhouse Rice: Easy One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Bean Rice Dish Recipe

Introduction

Jailhouse Rice is a flavorful, hearty dish packed with smoky sausage, beans, and spices. Easy to prepare and perfect for feeding a crowd, this comforting meal combines rich textures and bold flavors in one pot.

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste
• Optional: Hot sauce, to taste
• Optional: Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Step 2: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and the onion is translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
3. Step 3: Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
4. Step 4: Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the tomato sauce. Stir to combine with the vegetables.
5. Step 5: Stir in the rinsed and drained kidney beans and pinto beans.
6. Step 6: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice and stir to distribute evenly among the ingredients.
7. Step 7: Pour in the chicken broth and stir to ensure all ingredients are submerged.
8. Step 8: Add chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well and taste, adjusting seasoning if necessary.
9. Step 9: Return the browned sausage to the pot and gently stir to incorporate.
10. Step 10: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the rice is cooked and liquid absorbed.
11. Step 11: Check the rice for doneness after 20 minutes. If still crunchy or liquid remains, continue simmering and check every few minutes.
12. Step 12: Remove the pot from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes.
13. Step 13: Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.
14. Step 14: Serve the Jailhouse Rice hot, straight from the pot.
15. Step 15: Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of hot sauce, if desired.
16. Step 16: For a complete meal, pair with cornbread, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.

Tips & Variations

• Use andouille sausage for a spicier, smoky flavor.
• Substitute kidney or pinto beans with black beans or cannellini beans.
• Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level or omit for a milder dish.
• Add chopped jalapeños with the peppers for extra spice.
• For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Storage

Store leftover Jailhouse Rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth if the dish seems dry to restore moisture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more liquid, so adjust cooking time and broth accordingly.

Is it necessary to rinse the beans?

Rinsing canned beans helps reduce excess salt and removes some of the canned flavor, improving the overall taste and texture of the dish.

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice: Easy One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Bean Rice Dish Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 137 reviews

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice is a hearty and easy-to-make dish combining smoky sausage, vibrant bell peppers, beans, and fragrant spices all simmered with tender rice. This one-pot meal delivers a comforting, savory flavor perfect for family dinners or meal prep.

• Author: Tara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Oils

• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Vegetables

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Canned Goods

• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Grains and Broth

• 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
• 2 1/2 cups chicken broth

Spices

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste

Optional Garnishes

• Hot sauce, to taste
• Chopped green onions, for garnish

Instructions

1. Sauté the Sausage: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and slightly crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are softened and the onion turns translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
3. Add the Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
4. Add the Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine with the vegetables.
5. Incorporate the Beans: Add the rinsed and drained kidney beans and pinto beans to the pot. Stir to combine evenly.
6. Introduce the Rice: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice and stir to distribute it evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Pour in the Broth: Pour in 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are submerged.
8. Add the Spices: Add chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir thoroughly to combine all spices. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
9. Return the Sausage: Return the browned sausage slices to the pot and gently stir to incorporate them into the mixture.
10. Bring to a Boil and Simmer: Bring the entire mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover tightly with a lid, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
11. Check for Doneness: After 20 minutes, check the rice texture. If it’s still crunchy or some liquid remains, continue simmering a few more minutes, checking periodically.
12. Resting Period: Remove the pot from heat and let it sit covered for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and remaining steam to finish cooking the rice.
13. Fluff and Serve: Fluff the Jailhouse Rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
14. Serve Hot: Serve the dish hot straight from the pot for best flavor and texture.
15. Optional Toppings: Garnish with chopped green onions and a drizzle of hot sauce, if desired.
16. Pairing Suggestions: This hearty dish pairs well with sides like cornbread, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.
17. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent dryness.

Notes

• Use smoked sausage for authentic smoky flavor, but you can substitute with kielbasa or andouille sausage.
• The level of heat can be adjusted by modifying the amount of cayenne pepper or using milder chili powder.
• For a vegetarian version, omit sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• Make sure to rinse canned beans to reduce sodium content and remove excess starch.
• Letting the rice rest after cooking helps achieve a fluffy texture.
• Leftovers taste even better the next day once flavors marry.

Keywords: Jailhouse Rice, smoked sausage recipe, one-pot meal, easy dinner, Southern rice dish, spicy rice recipe, bean and rice skillet