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    Home » Dinners » Red Beans and Rice Skillet

    Red Beans and Rice Skillet

    Published: Jun 25, 2019 · Modified: Mar 19, 2022 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Red Beans and Rice Skillet is the simplest way to make red beans and rice. This easy one-skillet meal is made with kielbasa, beans, and rice.

    Red beans and rice in a skillet wiht a wooden spoon in it

    Beans make make a great meal! They're healthy, versatile, and inexpensive.

    I also love that red beans and rice grew out of necessity. On Mondays, women would make a pot of red beans and let it cook all day while they did the wash. So smart!

    This easy skillet recipe takes that classic, long-simmered red beans and rice and turns them into a simple weekight dinner that's ready in just 40 minutes.

    How to make red beans and rice skillet

    Chopped onion and celery in a copper skillet

    First, you'll saute the vegetables (1). The vegetables should be soft, and the onion should be translucent.

    Then, remove the vegetables to a plate, and cook the kielbasa in the same skillet you used to cook the veggies (2).

    Rice and red beans in a copper skillet

    Remove the cooked kielbasa, and add the rice and chicken broth to the same skillet that you used to cook the kielbasa.

    Bring to a boil, and then cover and cook the rice and broth until the rice is tender. Uncover, and stir in beans and seasonings (3).

    Last, stir the cooked vegetables and kielbasa back in (4). Serve topped with fresh parsley.

    Are red beans and kidney beans the same?

    No, red beans and kidney beans are different types of beans. However, canned red beans are sold alongside other common types of beans such as kidney and pinto beans.

    Tips

    • If you're short on time, feel free to use a pre-chopped onion/celery/green pepper blend.
    • You can substitute an equal amount of andouille sausage for the kielbasa if you prefer.
    • Use as much (or as little) Cajun seasoning as you like.
    • If you like even more spice, serve with hot sauce.
    Red beans and rice in a copper skillet

    What sides go well with red beans and rice?

    Cornbread and greens are classic partners for red beans and rice.

    More easy skillet recipes!

    • Skillet Chicken Parmesan
    • Skillet Meatball Pasta
    • Skillet Chicken Marsala Recipe
    • Easy One-Skillet Lasagna

    If you’ve tried this red beans and rice skillet recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes!

    You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Red beans and rice in a skillet wiht a wooden spoon in it

    Skillet Red Beans and Rice

    Red beans and rice in an easy skillet dinner that's ready in about 40 minutes.

    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 450kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Equipment

    • skillet

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 cup diced white or yellow onion
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • 1 cup diced green pepper
    • 3 garlic cloves minced
    • 14 ounce polska kielbasa1 diced
    • 1 cup medium or long-grain white rice
    • 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
    • 14 ounce can red beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning2 or to taste
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley

    Instructions

    • In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high.
    • Add the onion, celery, and green pepper, and sauté until vegetables become soft and translucent, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Add in the garlic, and cook, stirring continuously, for about 30 seconds.
    • Remove vegetables to a plate.
    • Add kielbasa to now-empty skillet, and cook until heated through.
    • Remove to plate.
    • Add the rice and chicken broth to the now-empty skillet.
    • Bring to a boil.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low.
    • Cover, and cook until rice is tender and has absorbed the chicken broth, about 15-20 minutes.
    • Uncover, and stir in the beans, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
    • Remove from heat, and stir in cooked vegetables and kielbasa.
    • Serve sprinkled with fresh parsley.

    Notes

    1. Can substitute andouille sausage if you prefer. 
    2. Feel free to use as much or as little Cajun seasoning as you like. 
    3. If you're short on time, feel free to use a pre-chopped onion/celery/green pepper blend. 
    4. Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 1077mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 855IU | Vitamin C: 25.9mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2.6mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephanie Thomas

      July 21, 2019 at 3:59 pm

      What can I substitute for cooking rice if my skillet does not have a lid to cover?

      Reply
      • Kate

        July 21, 2019 at 7:48 pm

        Hi! You can use aluminum foil to cover your skillet while the rice cooks. Just be sure to use potholders when you put it on the skillet. Your other option would be to make the rice in a separate pot and then add the cooked rice back to the skillet in step 11. Hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Allie

      June 27, 2019 at 9:55 pm

      5 stars
      I used andoille sausage but I followed the recipe to a T otherwise. It rocks! My son asked me to make it again tomorrow.

      Reply
      • Kate

        June 27, 2019 at 9:59 pm

        Yay! I'm so glad that it was a hit! Thanks for commenting! =)

        Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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