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An extremely flavor packed rice dish, this Cajun rice is studded with green bell peppers and onions, Cajun spices, and cooked with andouille sausage to make one of the most satisfying dishes ever!
This Cajun rice and sausage has grown to become one of our favorite Cajun dishes. It works amazing as a main dish served with a side of air fryer cornbread if you want to keep dinner simple, or serve it as a side dish to favorites like this blackened catfish or New Orleans BBQ shrimp.
Not only is it ultra flavorful, like this similar dirty rice recipe (no liver, chicken gizzards or ground meat though), but this rice is super simple to make, with most of the cook time being hands off. It's the perfect one-pot dish!
I loooove rice dishes that can serve as mains. This imperial rice is another one of my favorites!
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Why this easy Cajun rice recipe works
- Most of the cook time is hands off, leaving more time to make a main dish, or get some tasks done if you're serving it as a main.
- It's got just enough spice to add flavor, but too much to be overpowering.
- The ingredients list is pretty short, and you likely have most of the ingredients on hand already!
- It's an easy recipe to make in one pot with a ton of Cajun flavor!
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Ingredients to make Cajun rice
The full list of ingredients and amounts is included in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Long grain white rice: Any kind of long grain white rice works here. We use jasmine rice a lot for the fragrant flavors, but plain enriched white long-grain rice or basmati rice works as well.
Andouille sausage: This type of pork sausage is typically made with ground pork and spices then smoked. It is commonly used in Cajun cooking and sometimes known as Cajun sausage. You can substitute any smoked sausage if you need to.
Cajun seasoning: you can use a pre-mixed seasoning like Tony Chacheres, or make your own homemade Cajun seasoning blend (so good!!). You can also substitute blackened seasoning which has similar flavors.
Recipe variations
- You can make this Cajun rice into Cajun dirty rice by 1) adding in 1 cup of cooked, ground chicken livers and ground pork (a mixture) or ground beef OR 2) just following this dirty rice recipe. You can cook the chicken livers/pork with the onions and garlic in the butter until cooked through. Follow the rest of the recipe.
- Omit the sausage and replace the chicken broth with vegetable broth to make this vegetarian.
- Use any kind of smoked sausage as a substitute for the andouille sausage if needed.
- To make this more Creole style, stir in a can of well drained diced tomatoes (8 to 15 ounces).
- Add instant pot shrimp, cooked chicken or any other cooked/smoked meat or vegetable to the rice. Try leftovers of the sous vide brisket for a meaty treat!
- Make it spicier by adding additional cayenne pepper or dicing up 1-2 hot peppers to include in it - just add them when you sauté the onions.
- Use a mixture of red and green bell peppers and add some diced celery if you like (common in Cajun dishes).
Step by step instructions
Expert tips to make this recipe
- Don't skip the 10 minute rest period at the end - let it rest for the full amount. This allows the rice to finish cooking properly.
- Leave the lid on while the rice cooks - no peeking! This ensures the rice is cooked properly.
- Make sure to rinse your rice well first to remove any excess starch. If his rice is not rinsed thoroughly, it can become sticky or gummy when cooked.
- Use a timer when cooking the rice - it is easy to forget about it if you get distracted with something else while it simmers!
Frequently asked questions
Cajun rice is made with long grain white rice cooked with aromatics and seasonings in a flavorful broth. It can also be made with added smoked meats, chicken or seafood to make it a more substantial dish.
Cajun seasoning is a mixture of spices like paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme and salt. It is used in many Cajun stye recipes like Cajun shrimp and grits or Cajun chicken wings.
If you cook the rice on heat that is too high the liquid will evaporate before the rice has time to cook through. Make sure you are simmering (not boiling) your rice on low heat while it is covered to allow it to cook fully through. If it is undercooked, add an additional ¼ cup of liquid and cook and extra 5 minutes.
If you added too much water or liquid, your rice can come out mushy. Also, if you turn the temperature down too low, the rice may not properly absorb the liquid, causing it to become mushy.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave with 1-2 tablespoons of broth or other liquid to prevent it from getting too dry.
Cajun rice can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat per the instructions above.
More favorite Cajun food
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Recipe
Easy Cajun Rice
Ingredients
- 5 ounces andouille sausage chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons diced onion
- 2 tablespoons diced green pepper
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- Diced green onions
- Louisiana hot sauce
Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium high heat and add the andouille sausage. Cook until browned and caramelized on the edges, about 3-5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Turn the heat to medium and add the butter, onion, garlic and green pepper. Sauté for 1-2 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and mix in. Cook another 1-2 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure the tomato paste doesn't burn.
- Add the chicken stock, Cajun seasoning and sausage and bring to a boil.
- Add the rice and stir to mix everything together. Turn the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Fluff and serve garnished with diced green onions and Louisiana hot sauce.
Expert Tips:
- Don't skip the 10 minute rest period at the end - let it rest for the full amount. This allows the rice to finish cooking properly.
- Leave the lid on while the rice cooks - no peeking! This ensures the rice is cooked properly.
- Make sure to rinse your rice well first to remove any excess starch. If his rice is not rinsed thoroughly, it can become sticky or gummy when cooked.
- Use a timer when cooking the rice - it is easy to forget about it if you get distracted with something else while it simmers!
Nutrition
Danielle
It's so easy and so yummy! One of our favorite weeknight meals 🙂