Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe (easy )

Name: Bojangles Dirty Rice Recipe (Easy Homemade)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked rice (, white or brown); 1 pound breakfast sausage (, ground (spicy or mild)); ½ large red bell pepper (, chopped (about 1 cup)); 1 small onion (, chopped (about 1 cup)); ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (, more if you want extra spicy (optional if sausage is spicy)); 1 Tbsp garlic (, minced); 1 tsp paprika (, smoked or sweet (depending on amount of spice wanted)); ½ tsp black pepper; 14.5 ounces canned black beans (, drained (optional alternative))

This Bojangles-inspired dirty rice combines seasoned ground sausage, bell peppers, onions, and beans for a flavorful one-pan side dish. You control the spice level by adjusting cayenne pepper and sausage type.

🍴Copycat

🌍American 🌍Cajun 🌍Creole 🌍Southern 🏷️Cayenne pepper Paprika

🏷️

🏷️Red bell pepper

🏷️Rice

🏷️Sausage

Total

35 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$19–$31

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Savorywithsoul

Ingredients

3 cups cooked rice (, white or brown)
1 pound breakfast sausage (, ground (spicy or mild))
½ large red bell pepper (, chopped (about 1 cup))
1 small onion (, chopped (about 1 cup))
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (, more if you want extra spicy (optional if sausage is spicy))optional
1 Tbsp garlic (, minced)
1 tsp paprika (, smoked or sweet (depending on amount of spice wanted))
½ tsp black pepper
14.5 ounces canned black beans (, drained (optional alternative))optional

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Instructions

1
In a large heavy skillet, cook sausage until browned, breaking it up as it cooks (about 10 minutes).
2
Remove all but 2 Tablespoons of fat from the pan.
3
To the pan, add bell pepper, onion, cayenne, garlic, paprika, and black pepper and stir together.
4
With heat on medium, cook for about 10 minutes or until bell pepper is softened.
5
Add cooked rice to skillet, reduce heat to low, and stir. Heat 5 minutes or until hot throughout. Serve right away.
6
If adding beans, add with the rice at the end. Stir together and heat through before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the sausage first over medium-high heat, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks (3–5 minutes) to render fat and build flavor before adding vegetables.
Chop peppers and onions to roughly the same size for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
Fold in cooked rice gently at the end to keep grains intact; avoid stirring too vigorously or the rice will become mushy.
Taste and adjust spice before serving—add more cayenne in small pinches rather than all at once to avoid over-seasoning.

Substitutions

White rice → brown rice (cook separately first; adds nuttier flavor)
Red bell pepper → green or yellow bell pepper (slightly different flavor profile, same texture)
Breakfast sausage → Italian sausage (spicier option; remove casing if needed)
Black beans → kidney beans or corn (maintains texture; optional ingredient anyway)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat on the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water if needed.

Common Questions

Can I make this recipe with mild sausage instead of spicy?

Yes. If using mild sausage, increase cayenne pepper to ½ tsp and add an extra ¼ tsp for more heat, or keep it mild by omitting cayenne entirely.

Do I need to use canned black beans?

No, they're optional. You can skip them or substitute with drained canned kidney beans or corn for texture variation.

How far in advance can I prepare dirty rice?

Prepare and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of water if it dries out.