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Hearty Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

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A comforting and hearty soul food dish featuring smoky sausage, tender red beans, and fluffy white rice. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups dried red kidney beans or 3 cans (15 oz each) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced (Andouille or kielbasa preferred)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice (370 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. If using dried red beans: rinse thoroughly under cold water and soak overnight in plenty of water, or quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes then soaking for 1 hour.
  2. Drain and rinse soaked beans and set aside.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add sliced smoked sausage and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to brown edges and release smoky oils.
  6. Add beans and 4 cups chicken broth. Add bay leaves, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir to combine.
  7. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and partially cover. Simmer gently for 1 to 1 ½ hours if using dried beans, stirring occasionally. If using canned beans, simmer about 30 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. While beans simmer, rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add rice and a pinch of salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes without lifting the lid. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes.
  9. Taste beans and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Remove bay leaves before serving.
  10. Serve hot beans and sausage over fluffy white rice. Add a dash of hot sauce if desired.

Notes

Soak dried beans overnight for best texture; quick-soak is acceptable but less ideal. Keep simmer gentle to avoid beans bursting. Brown sausage well for flavor. Cook rice separately to keep fluffy. Add broth or water if beans get too thick. Use fresh spices for best flavor. Leftovers taste better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, smoked sausage, comfort food, soul food, easy dinner, Creole recipe, Andouille sausage, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/hearty-red-beans-and-rice-with-smoked-sausage-easy-recipe-for-perfect-comfort-food/