If you are looking for an easy, low cost gluten free family meal, this Cajun sausage, rice, and beans recipe is a great option. It is made with simple pantry ingredients including andouille sausage, Jasmine rice, diced tomatoes, and black beans, and it comes together in about 35 minutes in just one pot.
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❤️ Sandi’s Recipe Summary
The Quick Bite: All you need is one pot to make this Celiac-safe homemade Cajun rice and beans recipe. It is made with simple ingredients, and it is a great budget meal recipe that can feed a crowd. It is easy to customize by adding a different protein or omitting the protein. Clean-up is so easy!
This is one of my favorite recipes. I make it all the time, with the following changes. I use Italian sausage, and I use a bag of frozen peppers and onions. This recipe is excellent.”
davida, blog comment
This Cajun sausage rice and beans recipe is hearty and full of flavor, and you can make a big pot pretty quickly! When he is busy with school and homework, he loves to have something in the refrigerator that is easy to heat up.
All you need is one pot and a few simple ingredients to make this easy gluten free family dinner recipe. When I first created this recipe, I used what I had on hand. I had a lot of Aidelle’s andouille sausages that I bought in bulk at our local Costco store. We like to buy Aidelle’s because they are gluten free. Everything cooks in one pot and the flavor soaks into every bite. I tested Jasmine rice in this recipe, but any basmati and Cal Rose white rice varieties are also good. Note: brown rice also works, but you will need to add more liquid and the cook time will be longer.
This sausage, rice, and beans is nutritious and makes a great budget meal! You know how expensive gluten free can be! This is one of my very favorite budget recipes on the blog. If you are looking for easier gluten-free, budget-friendly recipes, I have a lot of inexpensive gluten free meal ideas. This is a popular recipe to serve during Mardi Gras. If you are celebrating Mardi Gras, check out my Gluten Free Mardi Gras Recipes.
Ingredient Notes:
For the full list of ingredients and amounts, please go to the recipe card below.
- Rice – You can use white or brown rice to make this recipe. I typically use Jasmine rice, but any medium-grain rice will work well. Note brown rice will take a bit longer to cook.
- Sausage – Be sure the sausage you use is gluten free. I like to use Aidelle’s Andouille Cajun sausage.
- Diced tomatoes – I use canned diced tomatoes. Use regular or fire-roasted.
- Chicken broth or water (not pictured; you can use either).
- Zatarain’s Cajun Seasoning – This seasoning is gluten free and works really well in this recipe. You can also make homemade Cajun seasoning.
How to Make Cajun Sausage, Rice, and Beans (Step-By-Step)
Step 1: Add the oil, onion, and green peppers to a Dutch oven or large pot. Heat over medium heat until the onions start to soften. You can use mini green peppers chopped in rounds or a big bell pepper.
HINT: You can use any color of bell pepper you like.
Step 2: Add the sausage and cook for 3 minutes.
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Step 3: Add the diced tomatoes, uncooked rice, rinsed canned beans, and seasonings to the pot.
Step 4: Add the broth. Stir and cover the pot. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer.
👀 Sandi Says: Cooking theraw rice directly in seasoned broth and tomato liquid rather than water or separately means the rice absorbs fat, salt, and flavor compounds from the sausage and Cajun seasoning as it hydrates.
Step 5: Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Serve it hot.
Leftovers are easy to store in an airtight container. It will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. This dish can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To thaw, heat it in the microwave.
I love to serve either gluten free cornbread or gluten free biscuits with this Cajun rice and beans recipe.
Tasty flavor variations:
- Add leftover rotisserie chicken or shrimp towards the end of cooking for a protein boost.
- Use a different type of bean, like kidney beans or white cannellini beans.
- Add in some cayenne to make it spicy!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I like to use Aidelle’s sausage. Johnsonville is another good alternative. Always check the labels to ensure the sausage is gluten free.
This recipe is not soupy, so you do not need any thickener to make it.
Yes, Johnsonville andouille sausage is gluten free and is listed as such on their website.
Dirty rice traditionally uses chicken livers and ground meat; this Cajun rice uses andouille sausage and black beans, which gives it a similar one-pot flavor profile without the offal.
I get a lot of questions about making this recipe in an Instant Pot. I have not tested this cooking method.
More Gluten-Free Dinner Recipes:
You may also love this one-pot Gluten Free Hamburger Helper recipe!
- Gluten Free Paella
- Padron Pepper Chili
- Gluten Free Air Fryer Catfish
- One Pot Gluten Free Italian Pasta
Love This Recipe?
If you made and enjoyed this recipe, I would be incredibly grateful if you could leave a comment below. This will help others know it’s delicious. Thank you!
Cajun Rice and Beans with Sausage (30 Minute Meal)
Ingredients
- 2 cups rice * uncooked, see note
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cups sliced andouille sausage
- 15 ounces black beans * rinsed, see note
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 3 teaspoons cajun seasoning * see note
- ½ teaspoon salt use up to 1 teaspoon
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
Method
- In a Dutch oven or large pot, add 1 tablespoon canola oil, 1/2 cup diced onion, and 1/2 cup diced bell pepper. Heat over medium heat until the onions start to soften. You can use mini green peppers chopped in rounds, or you can use a big bell pepper.
- Add in the 1 1/2 cups sliced andouille sausage and continue to cook for 3 minutes. Stir frequently.
- Add in a 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes,2 cups rice, rinsed 15 ounces black beans, 3 teaspoons cajun seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to the pot.
- Add in 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water. Stir and cover the pot. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down to low to simmer.
- Cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Serve it hot.
Nutrition
Notes
- You can use any medium grain rice. I like to use Jasmine rice.
- Chicken broth can be regular or low-sodium.
- Be sure the sausage you use is gluten free. I like to use Aidelle’s brand.
- You can use any color bell peppers in this recipe.
- Zatarain’s makes a great cajun seasoning that is gluten free. If you use a different one, be sure to read the label to ensure it is gluten free.
- You can use any canned bean (kidney, white kidney, pinto, etc.) Just be sure to rinse the beans in a colander before adding them to the pot.
- This recipe will keep fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Private Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
I truly hope you enjoy this recipe. I have been testing and creating gluten-free recipes for over 15 years. Creating gluten-free recipes that do not taste gluten-free is my goal for every recipe. Sometimes I only have to test a new recipe a couple of times, and others it takes multiple times. I do this so you get reliable, delicious results every time!
This is SO good and so easy to make! I don’t like a lot of heat or “kick” to my food, so I use Old Bay Seasoning in place of the cajun seasoning but that is just personal preference. Beyond that I make it exactly as written. I make this about once a month or so and it’s always a hit with the family.
I am so glad you tried my recipe, Elle. Thank you so much. I love your idea to use Old Bay to keep the spice level down. Thank you so much.
Sanding,
This is my new ‘comfort food’! Loving it. I double the onions, add one red and one yellow bell pepper along with some diced Jalapeño. I use 2 1/2 cups of jasmine rice and 32oz of low sodium chicken broth and a whole package of sausage(enough for next day). That and some Cornbread it’s AWESOME! Thank you!
Thank you so much, F.R. I love the idea of adding some jalapeño and will definitely try it next time.
Delish!! I might have to tone down the Cajun seasoning for my family (who aren’t into spice as much as I am), but overall, it was a quick and easy, week night dinner! Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad you loved this one pot recipe. Thank you so much for coming back to let me know!
Can this be cooked in the crockpot? I have after church Sunday dinners at my home each Sunday.
Hi Gail, I have not tested this recipe in a Crock Pot, so I am unable to advise how it would turn out.
very good! I cut the recipe in half because there are only 2 of us and I used bhutanese red rice, rotel instead of tomatoes. red rice takes longer but was worth it
I am so glad you were able to cut the portion to fit the two of you. Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review.
Thank you, Sandi! I’ve tried numerous beans and rice recipes to no avail. This one is a keeper! My modifications – I used only 1 cup of rice to have a more even ratio of beans to rice, used one can of low sodium chicken broth, left the sausage out. My husband liked it and said I could make it again if I cut back on the Cajun spice 😀(it was a little hot for us).
Thank you so much for the compliments, Carol. I am so glad this is going on your make again list!
The top recipe calls for 3 cups chicken broth, then when reading instructions it calls for 3 more cups and 2 cups water. Is that a mistake ?
Hi Pauli, I am not sure where you see 2 cups of water. The recipe calls for 3 cups chicken broth and 1 cup water. The rice absorbs it during cooking.
My recipe is adding 3 cups of chicken broth with the tomatoes , black beans and seasoning , then the next paragraph is adding 3 cups of chicken broth and one cup on water
I only see adding the chicken broth listed once. If you see it duplicated, could you please send a photo of what you are seeing? My email is admin @ fearlessdining.com
Ooooh, Thanks for sharing! Will try
You are very welcome! Let me know how you liked it.
This is a wonderful recipe thank you for sharing it!! 🤗
I am so glad you loved this dinner recipe. Thank you!