Name: Portuguese Sausage and Beans
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 24 min
Total time: 29 min
Cuisine: Portuguese
Ingredients: 1 (14-ounce) can red beans, rinsed; 1 medium-sized potato, peeled and cubed; 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced; 1-2 Portuguese sausages; 1 medium white onion, chopped; 5 ounces spinach; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 bay leaf; 1 cup water; 6 tablespoons olive oil; Salt and pepper, to taste

A rustic and hearty one-skillet dish featuring savory Portuguese sausage, tender potatoes, carrots, red beans, and spinach, simmered together with aromatic seasonings for a flavorful and filling meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Portuguese Sausage and Beans recipe is the ultimate comfort food that combines simplicity with incredible flavor. In just under 30 minutes, you’ll have a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious. The combination of savory sausage and hearty beans creates a protein-packed dish, while the vegetables add color, texture, and essential nutrients. This one-pan wonder minimizes cleanup while maximizing taste, making it perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. The rich broth that develops during cooking is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread, ensuring not a drop of flavor goes to waste.

Portuguese Sausage and Beans

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Red beans provide protein, fiber, and a creamy texture that balances the savory elements in this dish. They absorb the flavors of the spices and sausage as they simmer, becoming little flavor bombs in each bite. If you don’t have red beans, pinto or cannellini beans make excellent substitutes.

Potatoes add heartiness and substance to this one-pot meal. They soak up the savory broth while cooking and provide a satisfying starchy component that makes this dish filling. Choose waxy varieties like Yukon Gold or red potatoes that hold their shape well during cooking.

Carrots bring natural sweetness and bright color to the dish. They add a subtle earthiness that complements the savory sausage and helps balance the overall flavor profile. Their firm texture also provides a nice contrast to the softer beans and potatoes.

Portuguese sausage is the star ingredient, providing rich, smoky flavor throughout the dish. This cured sausage (also known as linguiça) has a distinctive paprika-garlic profile that defines authentic Portuguese cooking. If you can’t find Portuguese sausage, smoked kielbasa can work as alternative.

Onion and garlic form the aromatic base that builds depth of flavor. They release their essential oils when sautéed in olive oil, creating the foundation for the entire dish. For a milder onion flavor, you can substitute shallots.

Spinach adds vibrant color, nutritional value, and a slightly earthy taste that complements the richness of the sausage. It wilts quickly into the hot broth, making it an easy way to incorporate greens. Kale or Swiss chard can be substituted if you prefer a heartier green.

Olive oil helps to sauté the vegetables and sausage, adding richness and helping to carry flavors throughout the dish. Its fruity notes are characteristic of Mediterranean cooking and enhance the overall taste profile.

Bay leaf contributes a subtle aromatic quality that deepens as the dish simmers. This humble herb adds complexity that you might not immediately identify but would certainly miss if it were absent.

Directions

Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dry the vegetables. Dice the carrots and onion, and peel and cube the potato. Slice the sausage into 1/2-inch thick pieces.
Sauté the Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cooking until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Cook the Sausage: Add the sliced sausage to the pan, cooking for 2-3 minutes until it begins to brown on the edges.
Add the Vegetables: Stir in the carrots, potatoes, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Simmer the Dish: Pour the water over the sausage and vegetables. Cover the pan and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the potatoes and carrots begin to soften.
Add Beans and Spinach: Stir in the red beans and spinach, then cover for an additional 3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the potatoes are fully cooked.
Season and Serve: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, paired with fresh bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields 4 generous servings, making it ideal for a family dinner or for meal prep with leftovers. Each serving contains approximately 481 calories, providing a satisfying and balanced meal. The entire dish comes together in just 29 minutes total – 5 minutes of prep time and 24 minutes of cooking time. This efficiency makes it perfect for weeknight dinners when time is limited but you still want something wholesome and delicious.

Variations

Mediterranean Style: Add olives, sun-dried tomatoes during cooking. Finish with crumbled feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.

Spicy Version: Incorporate chopped jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes for heat. Add a dash of smoked paprika to enhance the smoky flavor.

Vegetarian Adaptation: Skip the sausage and double the beans. Add a tablespoon of smoked paprika and a teaspoon of cumin to maintain that savory depth of flavor. You might want to use vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor.

Tomato-Based: Add a can of diced tomatoes or a few tablespoons of tomato paste for a richer sauce with more acidity.

Hearty Winter Version: Include diced butternut squash or sweet potatoes along with the regular potatoes for added sweetness and nutrition.

Herb-Enhanced: Stir in fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano during cooking, and finish with chopped parsley for brightness.

Storage/Reheating

This Portuguese Sausage and Beans dish stores beautifully, with flavors that actually improve over time as they meld together. Here’s how to make the most of leftovers:

Refrigeration: Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors often develop and improve overnight, making this an excellent make-ahead meal.

Freezing: For longer storage, this dish freezes exceptionally well for up to 3 months. Portion into individual servings before freezing for easy single-meal reheating. Be sure to leave some space at the top of containers as the liquid will expand when frozen.

Reheating: For best results, reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Microwave reheating works well for individual portions – heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Revitalizing Leftovers: If the dish seems to have thickened significantly during storage, add a little water or broth when reheating. A drizzle of fresh olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh herbs just before serving can bring leftovers back to life with bright flavor.

FAQs

Can I use dried beans instead of canned?

Yes, you can use dried beans, but you’ll need to cook them separately before adding to the recipe. Soak 1 cup of dried red beans overnight, then simmer in fresh water for about 1-1.5 hours until tender. Drain and use as directed in the recipe. This extra step adds time but can improve flavor and texture while reducing sodium content.

What type of potatoes work best for this dish?

Waxy potatoes like Yukon Gold, red potatoes, or new potatoes work best because they hold their shape during cooking and don’t break down as much as starchy varieties. This helps maintain distinct textures in the finished dish. In a pinch, russet potatoes will work too, but they may break down more during cooking, creating a slightly thicker sauce.

How can I make this recipe more soupy?

To create a soupier consistency, simply increase the liquid amount. Add an additional cup of water or, for more flavor, use chicken or vegetable broth. You might want to slightly increase the seasonings to maintain flavor balance with the extra liquid. The final consistency should be somewhere between a stew and a soup.

Is this dish gluten-free?

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, assuming the Portuguese sausage you use doesn’t contain any added gluten ingredients (most don’t, but it’s always good to check labels). All other ingredients in the recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just be careful when serving with bread – choose a gluten-free variety if needed.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Brown the sausage, onions, and garlic as directed, then transfer to a slow cooker along with the remaining ingredients except the spinach. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Add the spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking time. This method is excellent for developing deep flavors.

What can I serve with Portuguese Sausage and Beans?

This hearty one-pot meal is complete on its own, but crusty bread is the perfect accompaniment for sopping up the flavorful broth. A simple green salad dressed with olive oil and vinegar provides a fresh contrast to the rich dish. For a more substantial meal, serve with steamed rice or a side of roasted vegetables.

How can I add more vegetables to this dish?

This recipe is very adaptable to additional vegetables. Bell peppers, zucchini, cabbage, or green beans would all work beautifully. Add firmer vegetables like bell peppers with the carrots and potatoes. Add quicker-cooking vegetables like zucchini or green beans about 5-7 minutes before the end of cooking time to prevent overcooking.

Is this dish spicy?

Traditional Portuguese sausage has a mild to medium spice level, so the dish has a pleasant warmth rather than significant heat. If you prefer spicier food, add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño during cooking. Conversely, if serving to those who are sensitive to spice, you can use a milder sausage like kielbasa instead.

Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Yes, this dish can be adapted for vegetarians by omitting the sausage and doubling the beans for protein. To replace the smoky flavor of the sausage, add 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika and consider using vegetable broth instead of water. You might also add a tablespoon of soy sauce or a teaspoon of miso paste for umami depth.

Conclusion

This Portuguese Sausage and Beans recipe embodies the heart of traditional Portuguese cooking – simple ingredients transformed into something deeply satisfying through thoughtful preparation. What makes this dish special is not exotic ingredients or complicated techniques, but rather how everyday components come together in perfect harmony. The smoky sausage infuses the entire dish with flavor, while the beans, potatoes, and vegetables create a balanced meal in a single skillet.

Beyond being delicious, this recipe offers tremendous versatility. It can be adapted based on what you have on hand, adjusted to suit various dietary preferences, and even improves with time, making it ideal for meal planning. The one-pot nature minimizes cleanup, and the quick cooking time makes it accessible even on busy weeknights.

Whether you’re looking to explore Portuguese cuisine or simply need a reliable, hearty meal to feed your family, this Portuguese Sausage and Beans delivers comfort, nutrition, and authentic flavor in every bite. Pair it with crusty bread, a simple salad to complete the experience and transport your dining table to the warm, welcoming countryside of Portugal.