Description
This Authentic Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe is a rich and hearty dish featuring smoky sausage, tender red kidney beans, and classic Cajun spices. Simmered slowly to develop deep flavors, it’s a comforting, traditional New Orleans favorite perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage and Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 pound smoked sausage (andouille or kielbasa), sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
Beans and Seasonings
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
- 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Finishing and Serving
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 4 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
- Brown the Sausage: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Using the same pot, add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until softened, approximately 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, releasing its aroma.
- Add Beans and Seasonings: Return the browned sausage to the pot. Add the soaked red kidney beans along with water or low-sodium chicken broth. Stir in the bay leaves, dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, dried oregano, and hot sauce if using. Mix thoroughly.
- Simmer the Beans: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours, stirring occasionally. The beans should become tender and creamy as they cook.
- Thicken the Mixture: As the beans soften, use a spoon to mash some of them against the side of the pot. This will help thicken the dish and create a creamy texture.
- Finish and Serve: Remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the chopped green onions for freshness. Serve the bean mixture hot over a bed of cooked white rice.
Notes
- For a more traditional Cajun flavor, consider adding a ham hock or smoked turkey in place of or alongside the sausage.
- The flavors improve the next day, making this dish ideal for leftovers.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and hot sauce according to your preferred spice level.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but always check labels for products if you have dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
