Description
Cajun Red Beans and Rice is a classic Southern comfort dish made with red kidney beans, smoked andouille sausage, bold Cajun seasoning, and fluffy white rice. Perfect for meal prep, this hearty gluten-free recipe is spicy, smoky, and feeds a crowd with ease.
Ingredients
1 pound red kidney beans
12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups chicken broth or water
6 cups cooked white rice
Instructions
1. Soak your red kidney beans overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse them before cooking.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pot, sauté onion, celery, and green bell pepper until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add soaked beans, bay leaves, thyme, paprika, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Pour in broth to cover by about an inch. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove 1 cup of beans, mash them with a fork, and stir them back into the pot to thicken.
7. Return sausage to the pot and simmer uncovered for 20–30 minutes until thick and creamy.
8. Serve hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with green onions or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
This dish can be frozen in portions for up to 3 months.
If you’re short on time, use canned beans and reduce simmering time.
For extra heat, add cayenne or a splash of hot sauce at the end.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun / Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 35mg