Red Beans Rice Beef Sausage (Printable)
A classic Creole dish featuring tender beans, smoky sausage, and vegetables served over fluffy rice for a hearty meal.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 14 oz beef sausage (andouille or smoked sausage), sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
→ Legumes & Grains
02 - 14 oz dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight and drained (or 2 x 14 oz cans, drained and rinsed)
03 - 2 cups long-grain white rice
04 - 5 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth (for beans)
05 - 2 cups water (for rice)
→ Vegetables
06 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
07 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
08 - 2 celery stalks, diced
09 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
10 - 2 spring onions, sliced (for garnish)
11 - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 2 bay leaves
13 - 1 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
16 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
17 - 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
→ Fats
18 - 2 tbsp vegetable oil
# How to Prepare:
01 - If using dried beans, soak them overnight in plenty of water. Drain and rinse thoroughly before cooking.
02 - Heat vegetable oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add sausage slices and cook until browned on both sides, approximately 5 minutes. Remove sausage and set aside.
03 - In the same pot, add onion, bell pepper, and celery. Sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the soaked or canned beans, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Pour in 5 cups water or chicken broth. Stir well to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour or until beans are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
06 - Return browned sausage to the pot and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30 minutes longer. Mash some beans against the side of the pot to naturally thicken the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
07 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Combine rice and 2 cups water with a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.
08 - Spoon red beans and sausage over hot fluffy rice. Garnish generously with sliced spring onions and chopped fresh parsley.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The aroma that fills your kitchen will have neighbors knocking on your door
- This is one of those dishes that tastes even better the next day
02 -
- Mashing some beans against the pot is the secret to getting that creamy, restaurant-style thickness
- The longer it simmers, the deeper the flavor becomes so do not rush this step
03 -
- Use a heavy Dutch oven for even heat distribution
- Let the dish rest 10 minutes before serving for flavors to settle