BBQ Sausage, Beans and Greens is full of hearty greens, and protein-packed beans and sausage. Wholesome, filling, and ready in 30 minutes!
Dust off your cowboy boots and stetson hat — we’re goin’ country for dinner tonight!
BBQ Sausage, Beans and Greens feels like something you’d cook at the chuckwagon in a cast iron pot over an open flame under the stars…or you know, in a skillet on the stovetop inside your home.
This 7 ingredient, 30 minute dish is an absolute winner — no matter where and how it’s enjoyed!
Easy + Healthy Skillet Dinner
BBQ Sausage, Beans and Greens is a quick and simple dinner idea that’s inspired by baked beans, which I adore. Unlike it’s super-sweet counterpart though, it lands firmly on the savory side.
Chopped kale, sliced smoked sausage, and creamy white beans are simmered in a mixture of BBQ sauce, water, and tomato paste all inside — you guessed it — 1 skillet. The dish is incredibly filling, full of vitamins and minerals from the beans and greens, plus it reheats fabulously making it an awesome option for easy lunches.
I serve my BBQ Sausage, Beans and Greens with Gluten-Free Cornbread on the side, and it’s truly one of the most satisfying and easy dinners in my repertoire.
So what say you fellow cowgirls and cowboys? Shall we light a fire (or turn a knob!) and get to cookin’?
How to Make this Recipe
Start by heating extra virgin olive oil in a large, 12″ skillet (cast iron if you have it) over medium-high heat.
Add chopped kale and chopped shallot or onion then saute until the kale has wilted, 2 minutes. Add kielbasa that’s been sliced into coins (I like Johnsonville brand) then saute until the kale is tender and the sausage is browned, 5-7 minutes.
Next add canned Great Northern Beans that have been drained and rinsed, plus a mixture of your favorite BBQ sauce mixed with water and tomato paste.
We love Stubb’s Sticky Sweet BBQ Sauce, but you can use what you like best. A spicy BBQ sauce would be divine!
Place a lid on top then turn the heat down to medium and simmer for 2 minutes before scooping into bowls and serving. As I mentioned, I like to serve the BBQ Sausage, Greens and Beans with freshly baked, Gluten-Free Cornbread to complete the meal.
However you serve it, I hope you love this easy, hearty, and healthy meal — enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce, I like Stubb's Sticky Sweet
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large shallot or small onion, chopped
- 4 cups chopped kale
- 12 oz kielbasa, sliced into coins
- 2 15oz cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
Directions
- Stir together BBQ sauce, water, and tomato paste in a bowl then set aside.
- Heat oil in a large, 12” skillet over heat that’s a touch above medium. Add chopped kale and shallots then saute for 2 minutes. Add smoked sausage then continue to saute until kale is tender and sausage is browned, 5-7 minutes. Add beans and BBQ sauce/water mixture then gently stir to combine.
- Turn heat down to medium then cover skillet with a lid and simmer for 2 minutes, or until beans are warmed through, and then serve.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
My husband and son really enjoy this recipe. And I love it because I can sneak healthy kale into their food lol I’ve made it multiple times now. Very easy to make. I personally only mix in 1/4 cup water because my boys like it pretty thick. But that’s just our families personal preference. 5/5 would recommend
This was a quick and easy dish to whip up, and I had extra kale to use. I don’t love kale, but this was an easy way to incorporate some greens into dinner. Thanks for the recipe!
This has been a big hit in our house. I love how I can combine a whole bunch of greens in a dish with some of my boys’ favorite things: sausage and bbq sauce! Thank you.
I feel the exact same way – so glad you guys enjoyed, Tracy!
I just made this for dinner and it was delicious!! Love all of your quick, easy, skillet meals :-)
Hi, I love your blog and your Instagram stories! I have made several of your recipes… I made this one lastnight and loved! Thank you so much for another good one!
Soo glad, Karen!! Thanks for the nice note. :)
So, I am not a big fan of kale, but was thinking this might make a good side to bring to a bbq on Saturday. Do you think spinach would work? Thanks!
I’ve been on the hunt for recipes that mostly use ingredients that I tend to keep on hand for easy healthy dinners, thanks!
Do you think I could make this using frozen kale? Fresh kale was on a crazy sale a while ago, so I bought loads and froze it when I got it home. I was thinking I would just toss it in frozen.
Did you cook the kale first, or is it raw? If it’s raw I tend to think it might turn to mush, but if it was cooked first it might work!
this sounds insanely stick-to-your-ribs yummy! and keep the skillet recipes coming -my fave!
Will do, Emily!
Looks incredible! I especially love recipes I can cut in half since I’m only cooking for one person. Yum!
This one would be super easy to cut in half – save the leftover beans from the can for soups or salads!
Skillet dinners are in my top 5 favorite things of life. I am being dramatic…. but you get the idea. I LOVE them. This looks delicious, and so easy! This could easily go into the regular summer dinner rotation with big salads, grilled meats with veg, and tacos.
Yes – love the pairing ideas, Hannah!
Yaaaaas, can we talk about how amazing Krusteaz cornbread is? *praise hands up*
Right?! Totally brand loyal when it comes to their heavenly cornbread!
I’ve just gotta say thanks! You keep doing it! I wake up, start getting ready for work, wondering what kid- and husband-friendly dinner I can make quickly after work. (Yep, got it on my mind at 6:30 am!). I open my email and, there it is! Dinner, by the ever creative and inspiring Kristin!
Thank you for your kind words, Anne! They are much appreciated!! :)