The Cajun flavor is authentic! I grew up in Louisiana and on red beans and rice; these are exactly as I remember them. Serve with hot sauce for added heat. My family enjoyed sprinkling a little cider vinegar into each bowl.
Looking for a hearty rice dish with a kick? Look no further. This authentic Louisiana red beans and rice recipe is inexpensive and full of Cajun flavor. This deliciously simple recipe combines andouille sausage with garden-fresh vegetables, zesty spices, and long-grain rice. Learn everything there is to know about this boldly savory dish, including how to choose the best beans and what to serve alongside them.
How to Make Red Beans and Rice
The preparation of this multifaceted Louisiana-style red beans and rice recipe is simplified by breaking it down into small steps. The full, step-by-step recipe is included below, but here’s a quick rundown of what to expect:
Begin by soaking your beans overnight and dicing any vegetables ahead of time.
When you’re ready to start, add the soaked beans to a large pot filled with water. Then, in an oiled skillet, sauté the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and celery until they begin to color. Next, add the cooked vegetables, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, and other spices to the beans.
Bring the bean mixture to a boil before lowering the heat and simmering for two to a half hours. During this time, steam the rice and set it aside. Cook for another half-hour after adding the Andouille sausage to the beans. After the spicy sausage and beans have finished cooking, serve them over rice for a piping hot bowl of tender, meaty, and flavorful perfection.
Red Beans vs. Kidney Beans
Although red beans and kidney beans look similar, they are two different types of legumes. Red beans are small, rounded, and mildly nutty in flavor. Red kidney beans are larger, with thicker skin and deeper color.
Both can make tasty red beans and rice dishes, but dried kidney beans may require more soaking before cooking. This recipe’s use of dry beans ensures that they keep their shape while cooking.
How to Soak Beans
Soak dried beans before cooking for easier digestion and a shorter cook time. Soaking beans can be done in two ways: overnight or quickly. The overnight method is extremely simple: place the beans in a large stockpot and cover them with twice their volume in water. Allow sitting overnight, covered.
Quick soaking entails bringing dried beans and water to a boil, then removing the beans from the heat and allowing them to sit for one to four hours (or until easily squeezed).
What to Serve With Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is a versatile recipes that can be served as a main course or as a side dish. The robust flavors go well with cornbread, collard greens, barbecued meats, and fried chicken.
How to Store Leftover Red Beans and Rice
To avoid mushiness, store leftover red beans separately from rice. Refrigerate both components in their own sealed container for up to a week.
To freeze leftover rice, place cooled single servings in freezer bags and top with an equal amount of beans. Freeze for up to three months after tightly sealing the bags.
Ingredients
- 1 pound of dried kidney beans
- 14 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large chopped onion
- 1 chopped green bell pepper
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tablespoons garlic mince
- 6 c. water
- two bay leaves
- 1 tbsp. dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 teaspoon Cajun spice
- 12 tsp cayenne pepper
- 14 tsp dried sage
- 1 pound sliced andouille sausage
- 4 c. water
- 2 cups white long grain rice
Directions
- Gather all of the ingredients.
- Rinse the beans and soak them in a large pot of water overnight.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes in olive oil with onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic.
- Rinse the beans and place them in a large pot with 6 cups of water. Cooked vegetables should be mixed into the beans. Add bay leaves, parsley, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and sage to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low heat. Cook for 2 1/2 hours.
- Continue to simmer for 30 minutes after adding sausage to the beans.
- Prepare the rice in the meantime. In a saucepan, bring water and rice to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes. Serve with steamed white rice.
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