Easy Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef Recipe

This red beans and rice with ground beef recipe is a twist on traditional red beans and rice. It’s an easy recipe packed with flavor that’s made with ground beef instead of smoked pork.

a bowl of red beans and rice in a white bowl with a fork on the side

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Authentic red beans and rice is made with bacon, cured pork, and andouille sausage. It cooks for several hours and has a ton of flavor. This version is a quicker easier version made with less pork, but still has a lot of flavor going on.

If you are in a hurry for a spicy delicious spicy dinner, that the whole family will love, give this red beans and rice with ground beef recipe a try. If you are looking for an easy dinner that is more mild and flavored with ground beef and rice, try my deconstructed stuffed peppers recipe.

If you are looking for authentic red beans and rice recipe, try this one, or you are looking for another healthy cajun recipe, try this keto cajun shrimp creole recipe.

Why you will love this recipe

  • It’s a hearty dish that is filled with flavor.
  • Red beans and rice with ground beef is an easy recipe that can be ready in less than an hour!
A picture of red beans and rice ingredients with beans, tomatoes, olive oil, cajun seasoning, bell pepper, onions, garlic, Andouille sausage, ground beef

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this beans and rice recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

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Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Lean ground beef
  • Cajun spice blend
  • Andouille sausage
  • Canned red kidney beans or red beans
  • Onion
  • Celery
  • Green bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Water
  • Bay Leaves
  • Rice

🥄Equipment

How to make this red beans and rice with ground beef recipe

Prepare the ingredients: Chop the celery, onions and pepper, and garlic cloves. Drain and rinse the beans, and slice the sausage. Measure the tomatoes and water, cook the rice according to the package instructions.

Meat cooking in a skillet

STEP 1. Cook the meat. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Once the skillet is hot, add the beef and brown ground beef until it turns pink. Reduce to medium-high heat; sprinkle with cajun seasoning, and stir in the andouille sausage.

STEP 2. Add the vegetables. Reduce to medium heat and stir in the bell peppers, onions and celery. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to turn soft.

red beans and rice in a skillet with vegetables on top
red beans and rice in a pan

STEP 3. Add the tomatoes, beans, water, and bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low heat to heat. cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes.

STEP 4. Cover and simmer for at least 20 minutes. Serve with a scoop of cooked rice.

red beans and rice in a skillet

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

The complete ingredient list to make this delicious meal is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Ground Beef – Ground beef can be omitted and replaced with another link of sausage. It can also be substituted with an equal amount of ground chicken, ground pork, or ground turkey.

Celery, Bell Pepper, and Onion also known as the holy trinity of cajun cuisine is the base of this recipe as it is several creole and cajun dishes. It adds a ton of flavor there really are no substitutes for this mix of ingredients.

Cajun Spice Blend – I make my own spice blend, here is the recipe for a homemade cajun spice blend. You can also use a packaged spice blend from the supermarket if you don’t want to make your own.

Beans – Red beans look similar to kidney beans, but they are two different types of beans. Red beans are less common than kidney beans and are sold as dried beans. So for the convenience of the can, I use red kidney beans to make red beans and rice.

If you have dried red beans and the time to soak them and cook them, you can use them instead of red kidney beans.

red beans and rice overhead view

How to store leftovers

This is a great recipe for leftovers because it tastes even better the next day. Store leftover red beans and rice in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container, or you can freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Defrost frozen red beans and rice in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheat leftovers in the microwave or on top of the stove.

a bowl of red beans and rice with a fork in the bowl

Recipe variations

Mild red beans and rice – For a milder version of this recipe, replace the andouille sausage with smoked sausage such as kielbasa and use a mild cajun spice blend.

Vegetarian red beans and rice – Leave out the ground beef and sausage. Add up to a teaspon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste.

Serving suggestions

Serve red beans and rice with ground beef garnished with sliced green onion and a scoop of cooked white rice or brown rice, salad, roasted brussels sprouts, green beans, and a crusty piece of crusty bread or cornbread.

Tips

  • Adding the spices early in the cooking process will make the most flavorful red beans and rice.
  • Canned beans can contain a decent amount of sodium, be sure to rinse the beans after draining them to cut back on sodium.

Is red beans and rice a healthy recipe?

Red beans and rice is fairly healthy. It’s an excellent source of fiber, protein, and veggies.

Can I make red beans and rice in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can. Start the recipe in a skillet and when you get to the simmer point. Dump all of the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Can I use another type of bean to make red beans and rice?

You can experiment with varieties of beans to make this recipe such as black beans, or pinto beans.

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If you are looking for more easy and delicious ground beef recipes, check out these Grass Fed Ground Beef Recipes!

a bowl of red beans and rice in a white bowl with a fork on the side

Easy Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef

A quick and easy twist on traditional red beans and rice that's packed with flavor!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Keyword: Red beans and rice with ground beef
Servings: 4 People
Calories: 352kcal

Find process photos and variations in the blog post:

Easy Red Beans and Rice with Ground Beef
Scale this Recipe 4 People

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound Lean ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun spice blend see the ingredients list in the notes section below for a homemade blend.
  • 1/4 pound Andouille sausage 1 link
  • 1 can Red kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup Onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup Bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 cup Celery chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Diced tomatoes fresh or canned
  • 1/4 cup Water
  • 1 Bay leaf

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: Chop the vegetables: 1/2 cup Onion, 1/2 cup Bell pepper, 1/2 cup Celery, 2 cloves Garlic.
  • Cut the sausage link into slices. Drain and rinse 1 can Red kidney beans, measure 1 cup Diced tomatoes and 1/4 cup Water
  • Heat 1 tablespoon Olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Once the skillet is hot add the 1/2 pound Lean ground beef and cook until the beef is pink. Add 2 teaspoons Cajun spice blend and the sausage.
  • Stir in the peppers, celery onions and garlic. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
  • Add the beans, tomatoes, water and 1 Bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes.

Notes

Store leftover red beans and rice with ground beef in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers on top of the stove or in the microwave.
Variations:
For a milder version use, smoked sausage instead of andouille and a mild cajun spice blend.
Vegetarian Red Beans and Rice – Leave out the sausage and beef. Add up to a teaspoon of smoked paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper to taste.
Ingredients for the homemade cajun spice blend: (you will only need 2 teaspoons of this blend)
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon thyme
See the article above for recipe tips, and more.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 289mg | Potassium: 743mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 728IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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