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Comforting Authentic Red Beans and Rice Recipe

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A hearty and soulful red beans and rice dish featuring smoky Andouille sausage and tender red beans simmered to creamy perfection. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, and cozy meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
  • 12 ounces (340 g) Andouille sausage, sliced (or smoked kielbasa as substitute)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 medium celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups (950 ml) chicken broth, preferably low sodium
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 3 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups (370 g) long grain white rice, uncooked
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound dried red kidney beans under cold water until water runs clear. Soak them overnight in enough water to cover by 2 inches.
  2. Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and sliced Andouille sausage. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until sausage is lightly browned and garlic is fragrant.
  5. Add drained beans and 4 cups chicken broth to the pot. Stir to combine.
  6. Season with bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper (start with 1 teaspoon salt).
  7. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and creamy. Add water or broth if mixture becomes too thick.
  8. About 20 minutes before beans are done, cook 2 cups long grain white rice in a medium saucepan according to package instructions (typically 2 cups water to 1 cup rice, simmer covered for 18 minutes).
  9. Taste beans and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove bay leaves and thyme sprigs.
  10. Serve the creamy red beans over a bed of fluffy white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.

Notes

Soak beans overnight for best texture; quick soak by boiling for 2 minutes then resting for 1 hour if short on time. Simmer gently to avoid toughening beans. Stir often to prevent sticking. Use Andouille sausage for authentic smoky flavor. Vegetarian version possible by substituting sausage with smoked mushrooms or tempeh and using vegetable broth. Leftovers freeze well.

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, Andouille sausage, Cajun recipe, comfort food, slow simmer, easy dinner, family meal, gluten-free

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/comforting-authentic-red-beans-and-rice-recipe-easy-step-by-step-guide/