Red Beans and Rice
Make a quick and easy pot of Red Beans and Rice in under an hour with simple ingredients from your pantry. This hearty red beans and rice recipe with spicy sausage, Creole seasoning, and kidney beans is filling and flavorful as well as dairy-free and gluten-free.
2024 Update: This recipe was originally shared in April 2020. This post has been updated to include new photos, detailed directions, and additional dairy-free tips. I hope you enjoy this simple red beans and rice recipe.
The first time I made red beans and rice, I reached out to my brother-in-law, a Louisiana native, who knows a thing or two about making an authentic cajun dish.
Mark has one of the most impressive tailgates I have ever seen. Now maybe this is because I went to a college with a mediocre football program and thus did not experience tailgating the way LSU fans experience tailgating… actually I am pretty sure NOBODY experiences tailgating quite like an LSU fan. That being said, the Damn Strong Tailgate (DST) might be the best tailgate in all of Tigerland.
Established in 2009, this tailgate has grown into quite the production. Every week they make large batches of jambalaya, pastalaya, shrimp and grits, or gumbo for their tailgaters to enjoy while they prepare for the game.
When I asked Mark about his recipe for red beans and rice, he sent along Camellia’s recipe. While the red beans and rice were delicious, it took 5 hours to make and ain’t nobody got time for that.
Why We LOVE this Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Look, I know some of you out there are going to scoff at the use of canned beans and you guess what, you can scoff away. But if you need a quick weeknight dinner that is hearty, flavorful, and not time consuming, then this recipe is for you.
We love to make this recipe for so many different reasons. Here are some of my top reasons to make this easy red beans and rice recipe today!
- Pantry Staple Ingredients– Just about everything you use in this recipe is probably already in your pantry (except maybe the spicy sausage).
- Ready in under an hour– Thanks to canned beans, you don’t have to soak or cook dry beans for a fiber rich addition to your dish.
- Comforting and filling– With heat from the spicy sausage and filling fiber from the kidney beans, this red beans and rice recipe will keep you cozy and full.
Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Note for this Red Beans and Rice Recipe
Another fabulous reason to love this easy red beans and rice recipe is that it is a naturally dairy-free recipe. Each ingredient is already dairy-free so there is no need to swap anything out!
As for gluten-free you will want to make sure the creole/cajun seasoning you use is labeled gluten-free.
Some gluten-free brands of Cajun spices include:
- Slap Ya Mama Cajun Seasoning
- Konriko Creole Seasoning
- Morton and Bassett Creole Seasoning
- Spice Hut Creole Seasoning
HOW TO MAKE GLUTEN-FREE RED BEANS AND RICE
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sausage– I love using spicy sausage in this recipe for a little extra kick of heat. You can use a ground sausage or remove the casings from uncooked sausage links.
- Onion– I used a yellow onion.
- Bell Pepper– Any color will work, I typically use the green bell peppers.
- Garlic– Minced or grated to add a nice blend of flavor.
- Bay Leaves– Soaks into the broth while the sausage and red bean mixture cooks.
- Thyme + Creole Seasoning– For a little extra flavor. Be sure to check the seasoning you use for a certified Gluten-Free brand.
- Kidney Beans– Canned, drained and rinsed.
- Chicken Broth– I use low sodium chicken broth so I can better control the amount of salt going into the dish.
Step-By-Step Directions for Red Beans and Rice
- Cook Sausage: Over medium heat, in a large pot brown and crumble the sausage. I used my 6 qt dutch oven for this.
- Add Veggies: Once the sausage browns, add the onion, bell pepper, and microplaned garlic. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Season: Next add the thyme, creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir into the sausage and veggies for a minute.
- Add remaining ingredients: Then pour in the chicken broth, bay leaves, and kidney beans.
- Simmer: Turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Smash Beans: In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, use the back of your spoon to gently smash some of the red beans. This will help thicken the sauce.
- Serve with a side of rice and chopped green onion.
How to Make Rice for Red Beans and Rice
While the sausage and beans mixture simmers, begin making a batch of perfect stovetop rice.
- In a small sauce pan bring 2 cups of water to boil.
- Once boiling, add 1 cup rice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 Tablespoon vegan butter.
- Return to a boil.
- Once boiling reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, remove from heat but leave the lid on and allow to rest 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove lid, fluff and serve.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When it comes to making a fresh batch of red beans and rice, there are a few kitchen essentials you will want to have on hand.
- Large Pot– Some kind of pot that can hold about 6 quarts will serve you well in this recipe.
- Wooden Spoon– Great for crumbling the sausage and smashing the red beans with the back of your spoon.
- Sauce Pan with Lid– Used to make the perfect stovetop rice.
What to Serve with Red Beans and Rice?
Packed with protein, veggies, and grains, you can easily enjoy this red beans and rice recipe as a stand alone dish. If you are looking to make it a meal, here are some sides that pair pretty well with them.
Storing and Reheating Red Beans and Rice
I would highly suggest storing the red beans and sausage mixture separate from the cooked rice. Simple place in a refrigerator safe container and store up to 5 days.
You can reheat the red beans mixture on the stove over medium-low heat until heated through.
For a smaller portion I would suggest heating in the microwave with 30 second intervals. Add rice toward the end of your heating intervals.
ARE RED BEANS AND KIDNEY BEANS THE SAME?
No, red beans tend to be small and round while kidney beans are long and thick. They can be used interchangeably if you do not have red beans on hand. Kidney beans will work just as well.
OTHER DELICIOUS DINNER IDEAS
Looking for quick, delicious, and filling dinner recipes? Here are a few of my go-to dinners that are always on the menu!
If you tried this recipe for gluten-free red beans and rice please let me know in the comments below!
You can also share a picture of it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can see all of your life after dairy adventures!
Looking for more delicious dairy-free recipes and tips? Sign up for my newsletter below to get the most helpful recipes, tips, and products for your life after dairy.
Red Beans and Rice
This quick and delicious red beans and rice with sausage is a classic Cajun recipe that comes together in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Spicy Sausage casings removed
- 1 Onion diced
- 1 Bell Pepper diced
- 3 cloves Garlic microplaned
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 2 teaspoons Creole Seasoning
- 3 cans Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
Over medium heat, brown and crumble 1 pound of spicy sausage in a large pot, I used a 6qt dutch oven.
-
Once cooked through, add 1 diced onion, 1 diced bell pepper, and 3 cloves minced or microplaned garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until soft.
-
Add 1 teaspoon thyme, 2 teaspoons creole seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Stir for a minute before adding in 4 cups broth, 3 cans drained and rinsed kidney beans, and 2 bay leaves.
-
Reduce heat to low and cook for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
-
In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, use the back of your spoon to gently smash some of the red beans. This will help thicken the sauce.
-
Serve with fresh rice and garnish with green onion.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Camellia’s Red Beans and Rice
Some of the links above contain Amazon affiliate links. These are products and brands I use in my kitchen daily. They pay me a small commission for the referral at no additional cost to you.