Red Beans And Rice (Print-Friendly Version)

Hearty red beans and andouille sausage simmered with peppers and herbs, served over fluffy rice for a Southern-inspired meal.

# Ingredients You’ll Need:

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01 - 1 pound dry red beans
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 12 to 14 ounces andouille sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces
04 - 1/2 tablespoon butter
05 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
06 - 2 celery ribs, diced
07 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 small green bell pepper, diced
09 - 6 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
14 - 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
16 - 6 to 7 cups low sodium vegetable broth or chicken broth
17 - 2 bay leaves
18 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
19 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh green onions, plus more for garnish
20 - 1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice or white rice, cooked

# How to Make It:

01 - Place dry red beans in a large pot or bowl. Cover completely with water, ensuring the water level is at least 2 inches above the beans. Soak for 8 hours or overnight.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook, stirring regularly, until browned on both sides. Remove sausage and set aside.
03 - Add butter to the pot. Once melted, add diced onion and cook for 3 minutes until starting to soften. Stir in celery, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper; continue to cook for 4 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 15 seconds.
04 - Stir in salt, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Add vegetable broth or chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
05 - Drain and rinse soaked beans. Add beans and browned sausage to the pot, stirring to incorporate.
06 - Add bay leaves. Increase heat to high until it begins boiling, then reduce to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beans are tender, checking for doneness after 1.5 hours.
07 - Remove bay leaves. Transfer 1 cup of beans to a bowl, mash with a fork, and return to the pot. Stir to thicken the mixture.
08 - If the mixture is too thick, add up to 1 cup water or broth. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
09 - Stir in chopped parsley and green onions. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve over cooked rice, garnishing with extra parsley and green onions as desired.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Check beans for stones or debris before soaking and rinse thoroughly.
02 - Enhance flavor with a small splash of vinegar or lemon juice before serving, if desired.
03 - For protein variation, substitute ham, ham hocks, smoked turkey, or homemade pork sausage.
04 - If using canned beans, skip soaking and simmer for 30 minutes instead of up to 2 hours.
05 - Store the beans and rice separately in airtight containers and refrigerate for up to one week.