Description
This Cajun Sausage Recipe turns a handful of pantry staples into a bold, comforting one-skillet supper — smoky sausage, crisp peppers, and fluffy rice glazed in a sticky Honey Garlic finish. Fast, flavorful, and practically no-fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb smoked sausage (Andouille or your favorite), cut into ½-inch rounds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional)
- 1½ cups long-grain rice, rinsed until water runs clear
- 3 cups chicken broth (or veggie broth)
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
- Salt + black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp honey (this is the Recipe Using Honey moment)
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (garnish)
- 1 tbsp chopped green onion (garnish)
Quick ingredient notes
- Use Cajun Sausage like Andouille for authentic smoky heat, or swap kielbasa for milder flavor.
- Long-grain rice keeps the dish light and separate — it’s ideal for Sausage Rice.
- Honey + soy + Dijon become a simple glaze that lifts the whole pan.
Instructions
- Brown the sausage. Heat oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Add sausage slices and sear until nicely browned, about 5–7 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Browning = flavor, so don’t rush this step.
- Cook the aromatics. Toss the onion into the same pan and sauté until soft, roughly 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the peppers. Stir in the red and green bell peppers and the jalapeño (if using). Cook 4–6 minutes until they soften but still hold a bit of crunch.
- Toast the rice. Stir the rinsed rice into the veg and cook 1–2 minutes so each grain gets coated in pan juices — this deepens flavor.
- Season and add liquid. Pour in the chicken broth and stir in Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, cayenne (if you want heat), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom — that’s concentrated taste.
- Simmer covered. Bring to a gentle boil, lower heat, cover tightly, and simmer 18–20 minutes until the rice absorbs the liquid and becomes tender. Keep the lid on for even cooking.
- Mix the sauce. Whisk honey, soy sauce, and Dijon in a small bowl.
- Finish together. Return the sausage to the skillet, drizzle the honey-garlic mixture over everything, and stir gently. Cover and simmer 2–3 minutes so the sauce warms and clings to the rice.
- Rest and fluff. Remove from heat, leave covered 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Scatter parsley and green onion on top and serve immediately.
Notes
- Handy tips (read these)
- Don’t skip browning the sausage — it adds tons of depth.
- Rinse your rice to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- If the rice looks dry but still underdone, add ¼ cup broth and simmer a few more minutes.
- For a richer finish, stir a knob of butter in at the end — IMO, totally worth it.
- Want less heat? Omit the jalapeño and cayenne. Want more? Toss in extra cayenne or hot sauce.
- Variations to try
- Seafood swap: Stir in shrimp in the last 5 minutes for a surf-and-turf vibe.
- Veggie boost: Add corn, zucchini, or sliced mushrooms with the peppers.
- Creamy twist: Stir in a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt off heat for a silky finish.
- Grits option: Serve the sausage and sauce over cheesy grits for southern flair.
- Plant based: Use plant sausage and vegetable broth for a vegetarian Sausage Dinner alternative.
- Storage & leftovers
- Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Microwave or warm in a skillet with a splash of broth to loosen the rice. Leftovers often taste even better the next day — bonus!
- Quick troubleshooting
- Rice undercooked? Add a little more liquid, cover, and cook until tender.
- Too salty? Stir in a few cooked potato chunks while reheating — they’ll soak up extra salt.
- Sauce too thin? Simmer uncovered a few minutes to reduce, or whisk a teaspoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir in.
- Final bite
- This skillet delivers everything you want from Sausage Dishes: big flavor, easy cleanup, and crowd-pleasing comfort. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a casual dinner with friends, this dish brings sticky, savory, and smoky notes to the table. Give it a go — and feel free to tweak it. After all, flexibility is the best thing about Cajun Recipes and the joy of home cooking.