Description
Louisiana Red Beans and Rice is a classic Southern comfort dish made with tender red beans, smoky andouille sausage, and bold spices simmered to perfection. Served over fluffy rice, this hearty one-pot meal is rich, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dry red beans
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12–14 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- ½ tablespoon butter
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 celery ribs, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Black pepper, to taste
- 6–7 cups low-sodium broth
- 2 bay leaves
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup green onions, chopped
- 1½ cups cooked rice (white or brown)
Instructions
- Soak the beans in water overnight (8 hours), ensuring water covers them by 2 inches.
- Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown sausage slices, then remove and set aside.
- Add butter to the pot. Sauté onion for 3 minutes until soft.
- Add celery and bell peppers; cook for 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook briefly.
- Add oregano, thyme, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in broth and scrape the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
- Add drained beans and browned sausage to the pot.
- Add bay leaves, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 1½ to 2 hours.
- Mash 1 cup of beans, return to pot, and stir to create a creamy texture.
- Stir in parsley and green onions. Cook for 5 minutes and serve over rice.
Notes
Mash beans instead of adding flour for a naturally creamy texture.
Adjust cayenne to control spice level.
For extra richness, sauté vegetables in bacon fat.
If using canned beans, reduce cooking time to about 30 minutes.
If the dish is too thin, simmer uncovered to thicken.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+ 8 hours soak)
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American / Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 cups
- Calories: 424 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1123 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg