Description
Savor red beans & rice, LA’s iconic dish. Get the authentic recipe, cooking tips & history of this cherished comfort food classicÂ
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6–7 cups chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 4 green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Quick-Soak the Beans: Place the rinsed beans in a large pot and cover with water by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
- Brown the Sausage: In the same large pot or a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- Sauté the Veggies: In the same pot with the sausage drippings, add the onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- Combine and Simmer: Add the drained beans, browned sausage, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer, partially covered, for about 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and creamy.
- Mash and Thicken: Once the beans are soft, use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash about one-third of the beans against the side of the pot. Let it simmer for another 10-15 minutes to thicken up.
- Season and Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Serve hot over a bed of fluffy white rice, garnished with fresh green onions.
Notes
A quicker version of classic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice that delivers deep, soulful flavor without a full-day commitment. It’s a simple, comforting dish featuring creamy beans, savory sausage, and the ‘holy trinity’ of veggies, perfect for a busy weeknight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Louisiana, Creole, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 servings
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Protein: 26 g