Name: Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 lb dried red beans (soaked overnight); 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced (or turkey sausage for a lighter option); 1 medium onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 3 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian); 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 tsp Cajun seasoning; 1 bay leaf; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 cups white rice; 4 cups water or chicken broth; 1 tbsp butter; 2 green onions, chopped; Hot sauce, to taste

Description

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice is a classic Southern dish featuring slow-simmered red beans, smoky sausage, and bold Cajun spices served over fluffy white rice. This comforting meal is budget-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and can easily be customized to suit your taste.

Ingredients

For the Red Beans:

1 lb dried red beans (soaked overnight)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage, sliced (or turkey sausage for a lighter option)
1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Rice:

2 cups white rice
4 cups water or chicken broth
1 tbsp butter

For Garnish:

2 green onions, chopped
Hot sauce, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Beans

Rinse and drain the soaked red beans. Set aside.

Cook the Sausage and Veggies

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned (3-4 minutes). Remove and set aside.
Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Combine Everything

Add soaked red beans, broth, smoked paprika, thyme, Cajun seasoning, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and creamy.

Cook the Rice

While the beans are simmering, bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice and butter, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

Finish the Dish

Once beans are cooked, stir in the cooked sausage. Adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaf.

Serve

Serve the red beans over a bed of rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and a splash of hot sauce. Enjoy!

Notes

Vegetarian Option: Omit the sausage and use vegetable broth. Add mushrooms or extra veggies for more texture.
Spicier Version: Increase Cajun seasoning or add diced jalapeños.
Creamier Texture: Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot for a richer consistency.
Meal Prep Tip: Flavors deepen overnight, making this dish even better the next day.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern, Cajun