Southern Soul Comfort: Red Beans and Rice Recipe

Comfort flows through every spoonful of this hearty red beans and rice recipe that brings Louisiana’s soul to your table.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this classic dish with deep, rich flavors.

Generations of cooks have perfected this simple yet satisfying meal that warms both body and spirit.

Creole traditions shine through each carefully seasoned bite, blending smoky andouille sausage with tender red beans.

Slow-simmered to perfection, this recipe promises a robust and authentic taste of New Orleans.

Dive into a plate that tells a story of culinary heritage and home-cooked love.

You’ll savor every delicious moment of this timeless Southern comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 430 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s In Red Beans And Rice

• Dried Red Beans: Hearty legume that provides rich, earthy flavor and protein-packed base for the dish.
• Andouille Sausage: Spicy Cajun-style sausage that adds smoky depth and robust meaty character.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Liquid base that infuses rich flavor and helps beans cook to perfect tenderness.

• Onion: Foundational vegetable that creates sweet, savory undertone.
• Bell Pepper: Adds crisp texture and bright, slightly sweet flavor profile.
• Celery: Provides subtle herbal note and classic Cajun mirepoix foundation.
• Garlic: Intense aromatic that deepens overall taste complexity.
• Bay Leaves: Introduces subtle herbal essence and traditional Louisiana cooking nuance.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers rich, smoky undertone without excessive heat.
• Thyme: Earthy herb that complements bean and sausage flavors.
• Cajun Seasoning: Signature spice blend capturing authentic Louisiana taste.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds signature Louisiana heat and spicy kick.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Provides tangy, umami depth.
• Hot Sauce: Optional extra spice for heat lovers.

• White Rice: Classic accompaniment that absorbs flavorful sauce.
• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp topping that adds brightness.
• Parsley: Introduces fresh herbal finish and visual appeal.

Kitchen Tools For Red Beans And Rice

• Large Pot: Essential for cooking the entire dish, with plenty of space for simmering beans and vegetables.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping sausage, onions, bell peppers, and other ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing sausage and dicing vegetables precisely.
• Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing ingredients while preventing scratching the pot.
• Fork: Used for mashing a portion of beans to create a thicker, creamier texture.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring broth and seasonings.
• Colander: Useful for draining and rinsing beans if using dried beans.

How To Make Red Beans And Rice From Scratch

• Bean Preparation

Red beans require careful handling to ensure perfect texture and flavor. Dried beans need soaking overnight to soften and reduce cooking time.

• Sausage and Vegetable Foundation

Create a robust base by searing sausage in a large pot. The caramelization develops deep, rich flavors. Remove sausage and utilize the same pot to sauté aromatic vegetables until they become translucent and fragrant.

• Slow Simmering Process

Combine beans with a blend of traditional Cajun seasonings. Allow the mixture to gently bubble, developing complex layers of taste. Patience is key during this stage, as slow cooking transforms simple ingredients into a hearty, comforting dish.

• Texture Enhancement

Strategically mash a portion of beans to create a creamy consistency. This technique naturally thickens the sauce and adds rustic character to the dish. Reintroduce sausage to marry all flavors during the final cooking stage.

• Serving Suggestion

Present the red beans over fluffy white rice. Sprinkle fresh green onions and parsley for a vibrant finish. For those who love extra heat, keep hot sauce nearby to customize each serving.

Helpful Hints For Red Beans And Rice

• Bean Soaking Shortcut: Speed up the bean preparation by using the quick-soak method. Boil beans for 2 minutes, then let them sit covered for an hour instead of overnight soaking.
• Meat Flexibility: Swap andouille sausage with smoked turkey sausage for a leaner protein option. Vegetarians can replace sausage with plant-based sausage or extra vegetables like mushrooms.
• Spice Control: Adjust cayenne and Cajun seasoning to match your heat tolerance. Start with small amounts and gradually increase for personalized spice levels without overwhelming the dish.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Transform this recipe into an easy hands-off meal by transferring all ingredients to a slow cooker after initial sautéing. Cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender, deeply flavored beans that require minimal monitoring.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding a splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying.

Serving Red Beans And Rice With Flavor

• Spicy Sidekick Plating: Add a dash of extra hot sauce or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes for those who love a fiery kick, letting each person customize their heat level.
• Louisiana-Style Garnish: Top the dish with freshly chopped green onions and parsley for a burst of color and fresh flavor that adds brightness to the rich, hearty beans and rice.
• Hearty Companion Sides: Serve with a crisp green salad or cornbread to balance the robust flavors of the red beans and sausage, creating a complete and satisfying meal that fills you up.
• Creole Beverage Pairing: Complement the dish with a cold beer like Abita or a refreshing sweet tea to cut through the richness and enhance the traditional Louisiana-style dining experience.

How To Store Red Beans And Rice Properly

• Meal Timing Strategies: Prep this hearty dish on weekends for quick weeknight meals, storing portions in airtight containers for convenient reheating.
• Refrigeration Reserve: Store cooled red beans and rice in sealed containers for 4-5 days, keeping the flavors rich and ingredients safe for later enjoyment.
• Freezer-Friendly Solution: Freeze meal-sized portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months, creating convenient grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated or thawed beans gradually in a pot with a splash of broth, stirring occasionally to maintain moisture and prevent burning.

Hearty Red Beans And Rice Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty red beans and rice recipe brings Louisiana’s soulful culinary tradition to your kitchen. Spicy andouille sausage, tender beans, and aromatic spices create a comforting meal you’ll savor with Southern pride.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) dried red beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
• 12 oz (340 grams) smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 8 cups water or chicken broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (or Creole seasoning)
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional)
• 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Bean Preparation: Soak dried red beans overnight, drain, and rinse thoroughly to remove excess starch and ensure uniform cooking.
2. Sausage Foundation: In a Dutch oven, crisp sausage slices until golden, rendering fat and creating a rich, savory base for the dish.
3. Aromatic Vegetable Layering: Use the same pot to sauté onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic until translucent, developing a robust flavor profile that will infuse the entire dish.
4. Seasoning Fusion: Combine soaked beans with bay leaves, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce, creating a complex and vibrant flavor landscape.
5. Liquid Integration and Slow Cooking: Pour in broth, bring to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow ingredients to meld and beans to tenderize for 1.5 to 2 hours, periodically checking liquid levels and adding broth if needed to maintain a creamy consistency.
6. Texture Enhancement: Extract and mash one cup of cooked beans, then fold back into the pot to naturally thicken the sauce and create a luxurious, velvety texture.
7. Final Flavor Marriage: Reintroduce browned sausage to the pot, allowing final simmering moments to harmonize all flavors and temperatures.
8. Presentation and Garnish: Serve the robust mixture over fluffy white rice, garnishing with freshly chopped green onions and parsley for a vibrant, aromatic finish, with additional hot sauce available for personalized heat preference.

Notes

• Soak Beans Strategically: Overnight soaking reduces cooking time and helps eliminate potential digestive discomfort by breaking down complex sugars.
• Control Spice Intensity: Adjust Cajun and cayenne seasonings to match personal heat tolerance without compromising authentic flavor profile.
• Create Creamy Texture: Mashing a portion of beans acts as a natural thickener, transforming the dish from soupy to rich and luxurious without additional starches.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap traditional sausage with turkey sausage, plant-based sausage, or omit entirely for vegetarian/vegan adaptations while maintaining robust seasoning complexity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Cajun/Creole

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg