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

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4.1 from 165 reviews

Flavorful Jailhouse Rice is a hearty and easy-to-make one-pot dish featuring smoky sausage, bell peppers, beans, and long-grain white rice simmered together in a savory tomato and chicken broth base. This comforting and filling Southern-inspired recipe combines bold spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for a deliciously spicy kick. Perfect as a main course or a side dish, it’s great for weeknight dinners and meal prep.

Ingredients

Meat

  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

Vegetables & Aromatics

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

Canned Items

  • 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 & Liquids

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

Spices & Oil

  • 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
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Optional Toppings

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

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté the Vegetables: Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the pot with the sausage fat. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables soften and onions become translucent. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pot for added flavor.
  3. Add the Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn the garlic.
  4. Add Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir to combine and deglaze the pot, lifting up any flavorful browned bits.
  5. Incorporate the Beans: Add rinsed and drained kidney beans and pinto beans. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Add the Rice: Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice, distributing it evenly among the other ingredients.
  7. Pour in the Broth: Add 2 1/2 cups of chicken broth and stir well to ensure all ingredients are submerged.
  8. Add Spices: Add chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt to taste. Stir everything thoroughly. Adjust seasoning according to preference.
  9. Return the Sausage: Return the browned sausage slices to the pot and gently stir to combine.
  10. Bring to a Boil: Increase heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover the pot tightly with a lid.
  11. Simmer: Let it simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed. Check periodically after 20 minutes to avoid overcooking. If rice is still firm or liquid remains, continue simmering a few more minutes.
  12. Rest: Remove pot from heat and keep covered for 5-10 minutes to allow rice to steam and soften further.
  13. Fluff and Serve: Fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains. Serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions and hot sauce if desired.

Notes

  • Use long-grain white rice for best texture; other rice types may alter cooking time and consistency.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level to your liking.
  • If using dried beans instead of canned, pre-cook them until tender before adding.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 3-4 days; reheat with a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.
  • Optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or plain yogurt complement the dish well.
  • For a vegetarian version, omit sausage and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Find it online: https://deliciousyum.com/flavorful-jailhouse-rice-an-easy-one-pot-smoked-sausage-and-bean-rice-dish-recipe/