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Red Beans Rice Recipe

Simple Red Beans and Rice – Cajun Dinner Ideas

I had been craving red beans and rice for a couple of weeks, so I decided to make some yesterday.  

There are many ways to prepare red beans and rice.   Some people make them with ham hocks, beef, or pork sausage.  There are so many variations.  I have decided to share the way I prepare my red beans and rice.

I am not from the south, but I have southern roots.  My father is from the south, and my mother is from California.  Although she is from California, her southern roots run deep.   Having this background, she has prepared many soul food/southern recipes that have been passed down to her from previous generations.  These recipes have been passed down to me, and I am now sharing them with my son and daughter.

I guess I should disclose, I have tweaked some recipes because I do not eat certain foods, or I have discovered a new way to prepare a dish.  Hence, I prepare red beans and rice with smoked turkey and chicken andouille. 

Red Beans and Rice Ingredients:

• Ingredients for 8 portions:
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 12 ounces chicken andouille sausage, sliced or cubed
• 1 cup finely diced onion
• 3/4 cup finely diced celery ( I do not always add celery)
• 3/4 cup finely diced green peppers
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 smoked turkey
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 2 quarts chicken broth or water,  add more as needed to adjust consistency
• 1 pound red kidney beans, soaked overnight
• about 2 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste – (optional) If using broth it adds additional seasoning, along with the seasoning from the sausage and turkey.  

Cooking Directions:

• Soak red beans overnight
• Add vegetable oil to a pot on medium heat.  
• Add sausage and cook for a few minutes.  Until it releases some of the sausage oil. Do not have to brown it.
• Add onion, green pepper, and celery.   Cook and stir until they soften and turn translucent.  This will take about 5-10 minutes.
• Add garlic.  Do not brown the garlic.  Allow it to cook for about one minute. 
• Add bay leaves, dried thyme, cayenne pepper
• Add red beans
• Add smoked turkey
• Add chicken broth or water
• Stir the ingredients
• Place the top on the pot.
• Cook on low, stirring occasionally for 3-4 hours, or until beans are very soft and the meat is tender.  When the smoked turkey is breaking apart, that is a good sign that the red beans and rice are ready to eat.   
• If you like your beans smashed, cook them longer and smash them a bit in the pot.  If you like them with more liquid, do not cook too much longer after the beans have softened and the meat is falling off of the bone.  (Everyone has their preference.  I like my red beans and rice with just the right amount of liquid.
• Serve with cooked rice
• Add tabasco sauce to individual servings. (Optional)

I hope you enjoy this Louisiana style red beans and rice recipe as much as I do. 

Summary

Recipe Name

Simple Red Beans and Rice - Cajun Dinner Ideas

Author Name

KD

Published On

2020-08-17

Preparation Time

1H

Cook Time

3H30M

Total Time

4H30M