A healthy, quick dinner can be on the table in just 20 minutes! Mom’s easy red beans and rice recipe with ground beef and canned beans is full of flavor and so satisfying!
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Looking for other quick and easy recipes with canned beans? Try this ham and bean soup with canned beans, a ground beef and baked bean casserole, and these Appalachian beans and greens, too!
This is one of those meals that reminds me of my childhood. My mom served red beans and rice on a regular basis, and now I know why. It’s an easy, budget-friendly dinner that comes together in less than 30 minutes (and it tastes like it took much longer)!
A Quick Red Beans and Rice Recipe
This easy red beans and rice recipe comes from my mom’s friend Diana, who is from Puerto Rico. The dish is different from a New Orleans red beans and rice recipe in a number of ways. Diana’s recipe doesn’t include andouille sausage, the “holy trinity” of veggies, smoked ham hocks, or Cajun seasoning like its Louisiana counterpart. Instead, this version features ground beef, chopped green chilies, and warm spices like chili powder and cumin. It actually tastes more like a beef and bean chili served over rice…and it’s absolutely delicious!
The quick red beans and rice recipe comes together quickly, thanks to canned beans that don’t require soaking. It can be prepared ahead of time for those crazy days when you don’t want to do anything more than reheat a meal. The dish is also freezer-friendly, and (like chili) it just gets better as it sits!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Instead of ground beef, try ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground sausage.
- Just about any variety of canned beans will work. Use red beans if you can find them, or Diana recommends pink beans as another great substitute.
- Adjust the seasoning to suit your preferences. For instance, make it spicy with cayenne pepper, add paprika, or try herbs like oregano, thyme, or parsley.
- Use packets of microwaveable rice for a shortcut on busy weeknights!
- Prefer a vegetarian dish? This recipe can easily be made meat-free — just add an extra can of beans in place of the beef.
- Want a low-carb or healthier version? Try serving the beans over cauliflower rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
- Cooking for two? This recipe can be cut in half to serve two portions. It also freezes well, so if you prepare an entire recipe you can save half in the freezer for a later date.
How to Make this Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Get the rice cooking first, since the rest of the meal comes together quickly on the stovetop! You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the overview:
- Cook the beef, onion, and garlic in a large skillet. Drain off the excess grease.
- Stir in the remaining ingredients, and simmer for about 5-10 minutes.
- Taste and season with additional salt, pepper, or other spices if desired.
- Serve over cooked rice and garnish with your favorite toppings. Good options include shredded cheese, sliced green onions, sour cream, hot sauce, or chopped fresh parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Red beans and rice is delicious alongside a skillet of cast iron cornbread, Aunt Bee’s 3-ingredient biscuit recipe, Southern-style green beans, or a house salad with candied pecans.
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Easy Red Beans and Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 4 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 large cloves)
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup total)
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
- 1 (15.5 ounce) can red beans, pink beans, or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- For serving: cooked rice; shredded cheddar cheese; sliced green onions; sour cream; hot sauce (use packets of microwavable rice for an easy shortcut!)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain off the excess grease.
- Add the remaining ingredients. Simmer, uncovered, for about 5-10 minutes. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper (or other spices) if desired.
- Serve the bean mixture over hot cooked rice. Top with cheese, sour cream, green onions, and/or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
More Easy Rice and Beans Recipes
Hoppin’ John
14 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
New Orleans Red Beans and Rice Recipe
14 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Chili Casserole
1 hour hr 15 minutes mins
This recipe was originally published in May, 2017. It was updated in January, 2025.
I can see why this was a childhood favorite of yours…it looks amazing! I’ve always been a fan of red beans and rice, but have never made it myself before. I need to try out these easy version. Sounds perfect for busy weeknights!
Thanks, Gayle! Yep — it’s so perfect for busy evenings. In fact, I think I need to add it to the meal plan again soon!
This is SO GREAT and an easy fix ! Love that good taste , reminds me of HOME thanks for posting family loves it .
Awesome! Thanks so much, Rose!
Hello in canada here. Mature lady.. to be kind lol
What is meant by “pink” beans please??? Do you mean pinto beans? Kidneys are darker red. Thank you !
Dena
Oh so sorry!!! No sooner did I post them scrolled down and saw my questioned answered!!! So sorry
This recipe sounds so good and I have PINTO BEANS lolol
Excellent! 🙂
What kind of beans are pink beans please?
Hi, Laurie! Pink beans are often found in barbecue recipes, Old West recipes, and Mexican-American recipes. They’re very similar to pinto beans, so you can substitute with pinto beans or kidney beans in this recipe if you prefer. 🙂
Thank you Blair!! I asked the same question to much later and then read your response. I have pinto beans and love them since I first tasted them in mexican restaurants in the usa. Thk u !!!!
Excellent! Hope you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
I actually just made red beans and rice for the first time last week! I think I’ll have to try your version next as it’s a little bit different!
This is certainly the easiest way that I know how to make it! 🙂 Thanks, Kristy!
This looks really good and easy. I have tried those awful mixes for RB&R and it seems they are 75 percent salt. Good to know that it can be this easy to make my own!
Thanks, Jackie! Totally! It’s so easy and so much healthier than a packaged version!
I made Mom’s 20-Minute Red Beans and Rice tonight using pinto beans – delicious! I topped mine with sour cream, cheddar cheese and hot sauce.
Hi, Luann! Thank you so much for letting me know! I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the meal as much as we do! 🙂
Can this be made without the chillies as I don’t like them.
Definitely, Valerie! Just leave them out. 🙂
I made this tonight and it was such a big hit! I wasn’t able to use red beans so I used black beans. Super good and definitely recommend this!
Yay! So glad to hear that, Brianna! Thanks for letting me know. 🙂
Is 2 tablespoons of cumin correct? Seems like a lot. Looks delicious otherwise!
Hey, Sarah! It’s definitely a strong amount, so feel free to adjust to suit your taste. Maybe start with half of that and see how you like it?
Came together quickly and easily! Delicious!
Great! Thanks, Cynthia!
I loved your red beans and rice recipe. I am on a search for a recipe a lady who I babysat for made regularly made. It consisted of ground beef, a can of pork and beans, and tator-tots. I think. I’m not really sure. Do you have anything like that in your collection? Thanks for your help.
Hi, MaryEllen! I don’t really have a recipe exactly like that. I’ve got a Tater Tot Casserole recipe with ground beef here (you can probably add some pork and beans if you want to try that flavor combo): https://www.theseasonedmom.com/tater-tot-cowboy-casserole/
You might also like this Pork and Beans recipe with ground beef, which you could serve with tater tots: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/slow-cooker-pork-beans/
Hope that helps!
Sorry, I can not rate as I have not made. I am a big fan on red beans and rice, so I will be making this. I have a question on one of the ingredients. What are pink beans?
Hi Karhy! Pink beans are very similar to Pinto beans. They’re often found in barbecue recipes, Old West recipes, and Mexican-American recipes. If needed, you can substitute them with Pinto or Kidney beans instead.