Red Beans and Rice
Last Updated on October 13, 2023 by Annie
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.
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. So 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 Changes to Red Beans and Rice
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!
HOW TO MAKE EASY RED BEANS AND RICE
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Sausage– I love using spicy sausage in this recipe for a little extra kick of heat.
- 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.
- 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
To begin, remove the casings from the sausage links. Over medium heat, in a large pot brown and crumble the sausage. I used my 6 qt dutch oven for this.
Once the sausage browns, add the onion, bell pepper, and microplaned garlic. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes.
Next add the thyme, creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir into the sausage and veggies for a minute. Then pour in the chicken broth, bay leaves, and kidney beans.
Turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Serve with a side of rice and chopped green onion.
A note about Creole Seasoning. I have the most fabulous Creole seasoning blend from a friend that I use for this recipe. If you do not have your own seasoning blend you can use one from the store such as Tony Chachere’s.
PRO-TIPS FOR RED BEANS AND RICE
Chop the veggies while you brown the sausage. This saves a little time on the prep.
Make the rice while the sausage and beans are simmering for 30 minutes. This helps keep it fresh and ready for when you are ready to serve!
Allow the red beans and rice to cool completely before storing leftovers in a Tupperware.
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.
Did you make this spicy, savory, and filling red beans and rice with sausage? I’d love to know how it went! Comment below or snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy so I can share your life after dairy adventures!
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!
Sausage and Veggie Orzo– This veggie loaded orzo is an all in one dinner recipe, veggies, protein, and carbs in one bowl!
Turkey Enchiladas– These creamy, cheese free enchiladas make the perfect weeknight dinner for a fiesta!
Salmon Avocado Bowls– Spicy oven baked salmon tops these filling and flavorful bowls!
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 lb Spicy Sausage casings removed
- 1 Onion diced
- 1 Bell Pepper diced
- 3 cloves Garlic microplaned
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 1 tsp. Thyme
- 2 tsp. Creole Seasoning
- 2 cans Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
- 4 c. Chicken Broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Remove the casings from the sausage. Over medium heat, brown and crumble in a large pot, I used a 6qt dutch oven.
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Once cooked through, add the diced onion, diced bell pepper, and microplaned garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes until soft. Add the thyme, creole seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir for a minute before adding in the broth, beans, and bay leaves.
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Reduce heat to low and cook for about 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
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Serve with fresh rice and garnish with green onion.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from Camellia’s Red Beans and Rice