Red Beans and Rice Recipe
I enjoy a tasty simple weeknight dish! This Red Beans and Rice Recipe is one of my top choices! It’s a well-known New Orleans hearty, flavorful favorite that is perfect for feeding many people.
It also costs very little to prepare. Give it a try! It may become a meal you turn to often. Creamy beans, smoky sausage, and fluffy rice create an unbeatable combination!
With the first bite, my mind returns to the busy streets of the French Quarter. Bold, rich tastes spread across my tongue. The dish feels like a warm cover, comforting and cozy. It makes you want to slow down and enjoy every bite.
Check out this delicious Cornbread Casserole recipe to perfectly complement your Red Beans and Rice meal, adding even more Southern comfort to your table!
Red Beans and Rice Recipe
This dish is all about building layers of flavor. It starts with sautéing onions and garlic, which creates an aromatic base that’ll make your kitchen smell amazing. Then, you add the beans and let them simmer away, soaking up all those delicious spices.
The fun starts when you throw in the sliced sausage. It brings a smoky and meaty flavor that really elevates the dish. And don’t even get me started on the rice! Cooking it with butter makes it extra fluffy and delicious.
There’s also that versatility factor. Adjust the spices to suit your spice tolerance, and add some extra veggies for a nutritional boost.
What makes red beans and rice such a beloved dish in New Orleans?
Red beans and rice have been part of New Orleans Mondays for many years. Back then, Monday was laundry day, and people needed a meal that could be simmered without much attention. Red beans and rice became the answer!
The dish is also deeply rooted in the city’s history and culture. It perfectly shows how cooking in New Orleans brings together African, French, and Spanish tastes. The resulting dish feels more remarkable than the sum of its parts. It comforts, tastes excellent, and reflects what New Orleans is all about.
Specialty Ingredients:
The following ingredients are affiliate links on Amazon because they may be a bit hard to find in your normal store. I wanted you to be able to see exactly which things we are using.
Reminder, not all ingredients in the Beans and Rice Recipe are linked above, just the ones that may be a bit difficult to find or that you might be unsure of what to look for.
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Must Have Resources:
When making this Southern-style Beans and Rice Dish at home, you really need to have the following Amazon affiliate tools on hand.
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Here’s how to turn these red beans and rice into a full-on Southern feast to add to your meal plan!
Vegetable Side: Kwanzaa Okra and Corn recipe
Starch Side: Oven Sweet Potato Steak Fries Recipe
Refreshing Drink: Easy Mint Julep Mocktail Recipe
Don’t forget Dessert: Healthy Peach Cobbler Recipe
Best Southern Comfort Food Recipes
Once you whip up this New Orleans classic, you’ll crave more down-home goodness. Dive into more Southern comfort with these mouthwatering dishes!
Nothing warms the soul like a bowl of Oh So Southern Potato Soup on a chilly day!
For a taste of Louisiana’s finest, you’ve got to try this Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Recipe!
No Southern meal is complete without a slice of Classic Southern Cornbread – crispy, crumbly perfection!
Craving something sweet? This Layered Banana Pudding Recipe will transport you straight to grandma’s kitchen!
Seafood lovers, rejoice! This Alabama Shrimp And Grits dish is a flavor explosion you won’t forget!
Whip up the Incredible Lemon Blueberry Buttermilk Bread Recipe for a sweet and tangy treat!
And remember to try the Simple and Easy Homemade Blackberry Biscuits – they’re berry delicious!
What’s the secret to getting the perfect consistency in Red Beans and Rice?
The secret to perfect red beans and rice is how long and how well they are cooked. The beans should turn out creamy, with a few slightly falling apart but not too mushy. Patience helps here!
I like to let my beans simmer low and slow. I occasionally mash some against the pot’s side as they cook with my spoon. This helps create that creamy texture we’re after. Don’t be afraid to add more water if needed. You can always cook it down if it gets too soupy.
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More Bean-Based Recipes
- Hearty Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup Recipe
- Easy Hawaiian Baked Beans Recipe
- Easy Bean Dip Recipe You Can Make In Minutes
- Instant Pot Beef and Bean Chili Recipe
- Beans and Bacon Soup Recipe
Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Pound(s) of dried light red kidney beans
- 1 Pound(s) pork sausage links of choice sliced
- 2.5 Cup(s) of white rice
- Diced onions
- 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Red Pepper optional
Instructions
- Cook the diced onion in oil and garlic powder to soften.
- Cook the red beans according to the directions on the package adding seasonings to taste.
- During the last hour of cooking, add in your sausage.
- Serve over rice. I add 1/2 stick butter and some salt to my rice while cooking.
Nutrition
This red bean and rice dish is so delicious that you might start thinking about it all the time. It could even become your regular Monday meal with the family—NOLA style!
I love the idea of the sausage in there. I think I might add some beer in there as well and let it cook down.
I can’t wait to try this recipe. I have been looking for a good Beans and Rice recipe.