Description
A traditional Southern dish made with red kidney beans and smoked sausage, simmered to perfection with aromatic spices, served over fluffy white rice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
- 1 pound smoked sausage (turkey or beef), sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- Green onions and hot sauce for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the Beans: Place the dried red kidney beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak overnight to reduce cooking time and improve digestibility. Drain and rinse before cooking.
- Sauté the Sausage and Vegetables: In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced smoked sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage, then add onions, bell pepper, and celery to the pot and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, thyme, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper, cooking for another 30 seconds.
- Simmer the Beans: Add the soaked red beans, bay leaves, and water or broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer uncovered for 120-180 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Mash Some Beans for a Creamy Texture: Once the beans are tender, use the back of a spoon to mash some of them against the side of the pot.
- Add the Sausage and Finish Cooking: Return the sausage to the pot and stir in 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Let the mixture simmer for another 10 minutes.
- Serve Over Rice and Enjoy: Remove the bay leaves and serve the red beans over cooked white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions and hot sauce.
Notes
For those short on time, consider using a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to control the spiciness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 180 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 13g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Louisiana, Red Beans, Rice, Southern, Comfort Food, Tradition
