Brazilian Rice and Beans

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!

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 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

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.

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!

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

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.

How to Make Brazilian Rice and Beans