Brazilian Rice and Beans

5 from 34 votes
81 Comments

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Brazilian rice and beans with sausage is a simple-to-make recipe that is bursting with savory flavor! A one-dish meal is ready in about 40 minutes!

Plate with Brazilian Rice and Beans.
Featured with this recipe
  1. Brazilian Beans and Rice Ingredients
  2. Optional Additions and Substitutions
  3. Cooking Brazilian Rice and Beans
  4. Suggestions for Brazilian Rice and Beans
  5. Rave Reviews
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. Storing and Reheating Brazilian Rice and Beans
  8. More Savory Sausage Recipes
  9. How to Make Brazilian Rice and Beans
  10. Brazilian Rice and Beans Recipe

Brazilian rice and beans with sausage is a meal I need to put back in regular rotation. It’s so easy to put together and yet it packs a powerful flavor punch. Everyone in my family gobbles it up. This is the perfect meal to whip up on a busy weeknight since you throw it all in one pan, and it’s done in half an hour!

This beans and rice dinner is the perfect combination of savory and comforting. It is full of flavor but also has all the nutrients you need in one meal cooked in one pot! Make this a complete meal alongside a simple green or fruit salad and our delicious Brazilian Cheese Bread. A quick and easy dinner for all ages!

Brazilian Rice and Beans in a skillet with a wooden spoon.


Brazilian Beans and Rice Ingredients

Don’t underestimate the ingredient list! It doesn’t look like much but when combined and cooked together this recipe makes a ton of food! It can easily serve 6 to 8 people or 4 to 5 really hungry folks. This is a great family dinner and you can even have leftovers!

  • Oil – Heat the oil to a medium-high heat to give the sausage a nice crisp outer skin with a tender and juicy inside. I prefer vegetable oil to olive oil for this recipe but either one will work.
  • Smoked sausage – We used spicy chicken sausage in this recipe and it was wonderful! You can use any type of sausage you like. Andouille pork, mild turkey, or all beef sausage would all taste delicious!
  • Green onion – Chop the onion into small pieces.
  • Garlic – Everyone knows garlic is a MUST at dinner time! It is an easy ingredient that we all have in our pantry or refrigerator. Quickly add it in to boost the flavors together!
  • Rice – Uncooked long grain rice will be sauteed with the other ingredients. The rice does not need to be cooked ahead of time. Basmati rice and Jasmine rice both work great.
  • Chicken broth – Add in the liquid for flavor and to help the rice cook while simmering. You can sub for vegetable broth.
  • Pinto beans – I used canned pinto beans for this recipe because that’s what I had on hand. But you could easily swap those for kidney beans, black beans, chickpeas, or navy beans in this dish.
  • Bay leaves – Add a couple of tops for flavor and appearance. When ready to serve, remove the bay leaves so no one will eat them. As the one-pot meal is simmering the bay leaves give an extra flavor boost.
  • Kosher Salt and Black Pepper – to taste
Ingredients to make Brazilian Rice and Beans including smoked sausage, rice, garlic, green onion, chicken broth, pinto beans and bay leaves.

Optional Additions and Substitutions

  • Ground Cumin
  • Dried Oregano
  • Thyme
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Chili Powder
  • Fresh Cilantro
  • Fresh Parsley
  • Lime Juice
  • White Onion
  • Yellow Onion
  • Diced Tomato
  • Green Olives
  • Bell Pepper
  • Ham Hocks
  • Bacon

Cooking Brazilian Rice and Beans

This one-pot meal is the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight or make-ahead meal planning. The rice and beans give it that authentic flavor with the smoked sausage bites. It is a filling and delicious dinner that everyone loves!

  1. Saute – In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage, green onion, and garlic, and saute until the onions become soft.
  2. Combine – Stir in rice, chicken broth, beans, salt and pepper, and bay leaves, and bring to a boil.
  3. Simmer – Reduce heat to a low simmer and cover. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is done. Remove from heat and fluff rice with a fork.
Skillet with cooked smoked sausage, green onion and garlic for Brazilian Rice and Beans.

Suggestions for Brazilian Rice and Beans

Making this one pot of Brazilian rice and beans with sausage recipe is simple and delicious! Make it more authentic with dry beans that are soaking overnight, change the rice to brown rice, or even make it in the instant pot. These suggestions and variations will only give you more of a traditional Brazilian rice recipe for dinner that you will love!

  • Dry beans – True Brazilian rice and beans are a little more involved than this recipe, but I wanted something easy and quick. You can use dry brown or dry black beans by soaking them overnight, then cooking with some peppers, garlic, and onions in a slow cooker for 5-6 hours. Then add to the recipe and continue as directed below.
  • Brown rice – For a healthier choice of rice use brown rice instead of white rice.
  • Instant pot – Brazilian Rice and Beans can be made easily in the Instant Pot too! Use the saute setting for the sausage, onions, garlic, and peppers, then add the broth, seasonings, and rice and cook on high for a few minutes. Do a quick release and you’re done!
Wooden spoon holding up Brazilian Rice and Beans.

Rave Reviews

“I’ve made this recipe three times now. It’s so easy and even my 4 year old requests it. It makes plenty of food for my family of three, we always have leftovers. Even when I didn’t have a green pepper to add to it, I got about six large bowls of food from this.”

-T

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the national dish of Brazil?

The Brazilian national dish is feijoada. The feijoada recipe is similar to a black bean stew with pork or beef cooked together in a dutch oven.

Do Brazilians eat rice and beans every day?

Rice and beans are a staple in most Brazilians’ homes. They are both easy side dishes that are filling and add to any Brazilian dinner. Not sure if they eat them everyday but some families and homes may do that.

What do Brazilians eat with rice and beans?

Normally rice and beans are the side dish to proteins of their choice- meat like chicken or beef. Vegetables and salads are always a great meal too. Also great with tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.

Can I use dried beans for this recipe?

Of course, just make sure to use a large bowl with enough water so you get perfectly soaked beans before you use them in the recipe.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes!

Storing and Reheating Brazilian Rice and Beans

This is a favorite dish that we love to make and always plan on having leftovers. Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them for five to seven days long in the refrigerator. When ready to reheat, remove from fridge and place it in the microwave or on the stove top until it is warmed through. It is always nice to have a few meals leftover for lunch or a quick meal later on throughout the week. You can also freeze in the freezer for up to three months.

More Savory Sausage Recipes

We love cooking with sausage and have gathered a few of our very favorite recipes to share with you. Try some and find out which ones you love!

How to Make Brazilian Rice and Beans

Brazilian Rice and Beans in a skillet with a wooden spoon.

Brazilian Rice and Beans

5 from 34 votes
Brazilian Rice and Beans with Sausage is a simple to make recipe that is bursting with savory flavor! A one dish meal ready in less than 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Brazilian
Servings 6

Video

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 pound smoked sausage sliced
  • 1/2 cup green onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup rice uncooked
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 14 ounces pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1-2 bay leaves

Instructions

  • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
    Oil heating up in a pan for Brazilian Rice and Beans with Sausage.
  • Add sausage, green onion, and garlic and saute until onions become soft.
    Sausage, green onions, and garlic in a pan for Brazilian Rice and Beans with Sausage.
  • Stir in rice, chicken broth, beans, salt and pepper, and bay leaves and bring to a boil.
    Rice, chicken broth, beans, salt and pepper, and bay leaves mixed into pan for Brazilian Rice and Beans with Sausage.
  • Reduce heat to a low simmer and cover. Simmer for 20-25 minutes or until rice is done. Remove from heat and fluff rice with a fork.
    Brazilian Rice and Beans with Sausage in a pan

Nutrition Information

Calories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 18gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 54mgSodium: 932mgPotassium: 558mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 85IUVitamin C: 8.1mgCalcium: 58mgIron: 2.7mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. Great wholesome snack recipe. Very filling and solid nutritionally!!

    Use whatever protein of thawed and in the fridge.

    Just made a batch with salt pork and tossed in a chopped jalapeno to spice it up. Yummy!!!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this following the recipe exactly. I used homemade chicken broth from rotisserie chicken bones. It had a delicious flavor. I will be making this again for my family. It was a hit!

  3. 5 stars
    I have made this many times, and it’s a favorite in our household. It’s fast, inexpensive, filling and easy to modify.

    Some of our modifications: andouille sausage rather than smoked, and I double the rice, beans and chicken stock because I feed hungry teens. I will use white or yellow onions, depending on what I have, and the type of bean is flexible as well (black or kidney if I’m out of pinto)

    Thanks for a great foundational recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve made this twice in the past month. Both times were heavenly. Simple, hearty…and the flavor is just right.

  5. 5 stars
    My cousin shared this recipe with me and the taste was really good but the rice didn’t cook all the way through. I kept it on simmer, once it boiled, but it took forever and then got almost mushy. Any suggestions?

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