Red Beans and Rice

Main course
2 hours

A delcious and healthy recipe that is perfect for large groups or for meal prep for the week!

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Red beans and rice is a comforting, flavorful dish with deep roots in Southern and Creole cuisine, especially in Louisiana. It's traditionally made with red kidney beans and simmered slowly with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and smoky pieces of sausage or ham. It's then served over fluffy white rice for a hearty, satisfying meal. What makes it truly delicious is the way the spices and seasonings, like garlic, cayenne, and black pepper, meld together during the long cooking process, creating a rich, savory sauce that soaks into every bite. This beloved dish has a history dating back to the 19th century, when it became a Monday staple in New Orleans, often made using leftovers from Sunday’s ham dinner. It’s more than just a meal, it’s a warm, flavorful tradition that brings people together and speaks to the heart of Southern hospitality.

Most people soak their beans over night, but I've found a way to do it quickly for those of us who procrastinate! If you add beans to boiling water, cover with a lid, turn off the heat, and soak for one hour, you get the same tender beans as if you did the work the night before!

Red Beans and Rice

A delcious and healthy recipe that is perfect for large groups or for meal prep for the week!

Main course
2 hours
Prep time
1 hour
cook time
1 hour
total time
2 hours
servings
10-12 persons
cuisine
Creole
storage
3-5 days in fridge

Ingredients

  • 1 or 2 packages of small red beans (soaked over night or prepped 1 hour before)
  • white rice
  • 1 package andouille sausage
  • 2 onions
  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 orange bell pepper
  • 5 cloves garlic or 1 spoonful jarlic
  • 1 tbsp chicken boullion
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 4 cups water
  • no salt tony chachere's
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • If you soaked your beans overnight, rinse and drain
  • If you procrastinated (like me), put your beans into a pot of water and bring to a boil. Cover the pot with a lid and then turn the heat completely off and soak for one hour. Rinse and drain.
  • Chop your peppers and onions and set aside
  • dice 5 cloves of garlic (skip if using jarlic)
  • Slice and sautee andouille sausage until browned. Remove from pot and set aside
  • Soak up 1/2 of the grease left from the sausage, add peppers & onions to the pot, and sautee and deglaze the pan
  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, and no salt tony chachere's to taste
  • add your garlic OR large spoonful or jarlic
  • add one tbsp of chicken bouillon
  • add in 4 cups of chicken broth and stir well
  • add your beans into the pot
  • add in 4 cups of water
  • add in sausage and stir well
  • add salt and pepper to taste
  • bring to a boil, turn heat to low, and simmer for 30-40 minutes
  • while beans are cooking, rinse and cook your white rice according to the instructions on the package
  • serve beans on top of rice, add a sprinkle of tony chachere's for added spice, and enjoy!

About Julie

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Hello! I'm Julie and I've been cooking tasty, from-the-heart meals as long as I can remember.

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