Description
Bold, comforting, and full of smoky flavor, this Cajun Red Beans and Rice recipe is the ultimate one-pot comfort food that’s perfect for easy dinners, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd. This Southern classic is made with red beans, sausage, and aromatic vegetables simmered in Cajun spices, then served over fluffy white rice. Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner idea, healthy snack, or something hearty for the week, this easy recipe delivers every time. Ideal for meal planning, dinner ideas, or anyone craving authentic Creole food ideas.
Ingredients
1 pound dried red kidney beans (or 3 cans, rinsed and drained)
12 ounces smoked Andouille sausage, sliced
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
6 cups chicken broth or water
4 cups cooked white rice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley or chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
1. Soak the beans overnight if using dried. Drain and rinse before cooking.
2. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Brown the sliced sausage and remove from the pot.
3. In the same pot, sauté onions, celery, and bell pepper until soft. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add soaked beans (or canned), sausage, bay leaves, thyme, Cajun seasoning, and broth or water. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender and mixture thickens.
6. Mash some of the beans against the side of the pot to thicken the sauce if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste.
7. Serve hot over cooked rice and garnish with parsley or green onions.
Notes
Use vegetable broth and plant-based sausage to make this dish fully vegan.
Mash a portion of the beans for a thicker, creamier texture.
This dish gets even better the next day—perfect for leftovers!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cajun/Creole
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 930mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: cajun red beans and rice, easy dinner, southern recipes, beans and rice, food ideas