One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice Recipe
If you’re after a bold, crowd-pleasing dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal dishes, One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice is your new best friend. Imagine smoky sausage mingling with vibrant peppers and onions, all perfectly bound by a sweet and tangy BBQ-kissed rice that cooks up in a single skillet—pure weeknight dinner magic! This dish is fast, ultra-satisfying, and endlessly customizable, making it a staple you’ll want to come back to again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something so comforting about a recipe with simple, familiar ingredients that each play a key role. Every component here brings some spark—texture from veggies, comforting richness from sausage, and an irresistible glaze from the BBQ and honey combo. Don’t skip any of them if you want to let every flavor in your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice sing!
- Olive oil: Adds a buttery base for browning the sausage and veggies, ensuring everything cooks without sticking.
- Smoked sausage or kielbasa (14 oz, sliced): The smoky, savory backbone—choose your favorite for maximum flavor impact!
- Onion (1 small, diced): Delivers subtle sweetness and a classic, aromatic touch that makes the dish savory and satisfying.
- Bell pepper (1, diced): Lends a pop of color and juicy sweetness—use red, yellow, or orange for eye appeal.
- Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Essential aromatic that wakes up the whole pan, adding depth you can’t replicate.
- Uncooked long-grain white rice (1 cup): The all-star that soaks up every sweet, smoky, and tangy note.
- Low-sodium chicken broth (1¾ cups): Infuses the rice with rich savoriness without making the dish too salty.
- BBQ sauce (½ cup): Use your favorite—this is the signature flavor and the reason for the dish’s irresistible sauce!
- Honey (1 tablespoon): Boosts the BBQ’s sweetness for that perfect gloss and balance.
- Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon): Brings a gentle zing that balances the sweetness and perks up every bite.
- Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon): Reinforces the smoky depth from the sausage and gives your rice a gorgeous glow.
- Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a gentle kick and rounds out the other bold flavors.
- Frozen peas (½ cup, optional): Stirred in at the end for a little extra color and a pop of sweet green.
- Chopped parsley (for garnish, optional): A fresh finishing touch that brightens everything up right before serving.
How to Make One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice
Step 1: Brown the Sausage
Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the sliced sausage and keep them moving until every side gets beautifully browned—about 5 minutes. That little bit of caramelization makes a huge difference, infusing every bite of your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice with smoky, meaty flavor.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Add your diced onion and bell pepper directly into the skillet with the sausage. Stir them around and let them soften for 3–4 minutes. The veggies soak up some of the delicious sausage drippings, turning soft and almost meltingly sweet, which really rounds out the dish.
Step 3: Add Garlic
Toss in the minced garlic and give it a quick stir—just 30 seconds or so until it turns fragrant. Be careful not to burn it; this quick step infuses the oil and sausage with deep, savory flavor.
Step 4: Stir in the Rice and Liquids
Add your uncooked rice, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and black pepper right into the pan. Give everything a thorough stir so each grain of rice gets coated in that sweet and tangy sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to get things simmering.
Step 5: Simmer to Perfection
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the rice simmer gently for 18–20 minutes. Go ahead and check it after 15 minutes to see how it’s coming along—you’re looking for tender, fluffy rice that has absorbed all the saucy goodness. If you want to include peas, stir them in during the last 5 minutes so they stay fresh and green.
Step 6: Rest, Fluff, and Finish
When the rice is tender and most of the liquid is gone, pull the skillet off the heat and let it sit (still covered!) for 5 minutes. This quick rest time helps the rice finish cooking and makes it easier to fluff. Then, just fluff everything gently with a fork and sprinkle with chopped parsley if you’re feeling fancy. Serve your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice warm, right out of the skillet!
How to Serve One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice
Garnishes
Add a final touch of fresh parsley for a hit of color and herbal brightness, or even sliced green onions if you love a little zip. A squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving can also wake up all those sweet and tangy flavors in the rice. Remember, a pretty plate makes the meal feel extra special—even on a busy weeknight!
Side Dishes
This dish is pretty much a meal on its own, but if you’re feeding a hungry crew or want a complete dinner spread, try serving it with a crisp garden salad or simply roasted veggies. Something with a little crunch (like slaw or quick-pickled cucumbers) pairs deliciously with the sticky, smoky notes of the One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, consider scooping hearty portions into hollowed-out bell peppers before baking for a festive “stuffed peppers” vibe. Or, pack it up in single-serve jars or meal-prep containers for grab-and-go lunches. The vibrant colors and glossy finish also look beautiful served family-style straight from the skillet—no need for extra dishes!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. Pop it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and tasty for up to 4 days. This dish rewarms beautifully and makes a perfect lunch or second-day dinner.
Freezing
To freeze, just portion cooled rice into freezer-safe bags or containers. Lay the bags flat for easy storage and quicker thawing. When you’re in the mood for some instant comfort food, thaw it overnight in the fridge—your future self will thank you for thinking ahead!
Reheating
To bring leftover rice back to life, add a splash of water or chicken broth, cover, and microwave in short bursts (stirring in between) until hot. Or, reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat on the stove. This keeps everything moist and rescues those sweet and tangy flavors from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Absolutely! Brown rice gives the dish a bit more chew and nutty flavor. Just be sure to add a bit more liquid—usually another 1/3 cup broth—and extend the simmering time to about 30–35 minutes, checking for doneness along the way.
What’s the best type Main Course
Use whatever BBQ sauce you love most! Sweet, smoky, spicy—they all work, just note that a sweeter sauce will give your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice an extra-glossy, caramelized finish while thicker sauces will cling more to the rice.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Sure can! Substitute smoked sausage with plant-based sausage (look for flavorful options), swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth, and enjoy all those sweet and tangy flavors guilt-free.
How can I add extra veggies?
Go wild! Stir in extra bell peppers, sweetcorn, or zucchini, or wilt in a couple handfuls of baby spinach right at the end. Just keep the ratios balanced so everything cooks evenly and your One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice stays saucy.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, it can be! Double-check your sausage and BBQ sauce labels to ensure they’re certified gluten-free, and you’ll have a satisfying, naturally gluten-free dinner option for everyone to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice is proof that weeknight cooking doesn’t have to be boring or complicated—sometimes, all you need is one skillet and a handful of ingredients to turn out something truly craveable. I hope this dish quickly becomes a dinnertime favorite at your table, just as it is at mine. Give it a try and get ready to scoop up every last bite!
Print
One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This One-Pan Sweet & Tangy BBQ Sausage Rice is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines smoked sausage, bell peppers, and rice in a delicious barbecue-infused sauce. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14 oz smoked sausage or kielbasa (sliced into rounds)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1¾ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional:
- ½ cup frozen peas
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add onion and bell pepper, sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
- Cook Rice: Add the rice, chicken broth, BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18–20 minutes until rice is tender.
- Finish: Add peas (if using) during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork. Garnish with parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- Try different BBQ sauce flavors for varied taste profiles.
- This dish can be made with brown rice, adjusting liquid and cooking time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1¼ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
