Description
A comforting Southern dish made with smoky sausage, creamy red beans, and seasoned rice—perfect for a hearty, filling meal without pork or alcohol-based ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 lb dried red beans (or 3 cans, drained and rinsed)
- 12 oz beef or turkey sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp Creole or Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 2 tbsp olive oil or cooking oil
- Optional: sliced green onions or hot sauce for garnish
Instructions
- Soak the dried red beans overnight in water, or use canned beans if short on time.
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the sausage until browned, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and celery until softened, about 5–7 minutes.
- Add garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and seasoning. Cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return sausage to the pot, add beans and broth. Stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until beans are tender and creamy. If using canned beans, simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove bay leaves before serving.
- Serve hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with green onions or hot sauce if desired.
Notes
- Using canned beans reduces cooking time significantly.
- This dish tastes even better the next day.
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months for easy meal prep.
- Smoked paprika can enhance the flavor if omitting meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
