Cajun Sausage and Red Beans

Infuse your dinner table with the bold and comforting flavors of Louisiana with this classic Cajun Sausage and Red Beans recipe. Featuring tender red beans simmered to perfection with smoky andouille sausage, aromatic vegetables like onion, celery, and green bell pepper, and a punchy blend of Cajun spices, this dish is a rich and satisfying one-pot masterpiece. The long, slow simmer allows the flavors to meld beautifully, while mashing a portion of the beans creates a deliciously creamy texture. Served over fluffy white rice and topped with fresh green onion, this hearty Southern favorite is perfect for a cozy family meal or casual gathering. Packed with protein and loaded with savory depth, it’s the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:140 mins

Total Time:155 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried red beans
• 12 ounces andouille sausage
• 1 large yellow onion
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 2 stalks celery stalks
• 4 cloves garlic
• 6 cups water
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 3 cups cooked white rice
• 2 stalks green onions
• 0 to taste salt

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried red beans under cold water and pick out any debris or bad beans. Place them in a large bowl, cover with water, and let soak overnight. Alternatively, use a quick soak method: boil the beans in water for 2 minutes, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.

Step 2

Slice the andouille sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Set aside.

Step 3

Dice the yellow onion, green bell pepper, and celery stalks. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 4

In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Add the sliced sausage and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned. Remove and set aside.

Step 5

Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 6

Return the cooked sausage to the pot. Add the soaked and rinsed red beans, water, chicken broth, bay leaves, Cajun seasoning, dried thyme, smoked paprika, and ground black pepper.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1.5-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender. If the mixture becomes too thick, add a bit more water or chicken broth.

Step 8

Remove the bay leaves and use the back of a wooden spoon to mash a small portion of the beans against the side of the pot to create a creamy texture. Season with salt to taste.

Step 9

Serve the Cajun sausage and red beans hot over cooked white rice. Garnish with sliced green onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3658.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3560.7

Total Fat 110.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 37.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Cholesterol 300.2mg	0%
Sodium 10758.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 465.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 82.1g	0%
Total Sugars 24.0g
Protein 183.3g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 780.2mg	0%
Iron 39.2mg	0%
Potassium 8498.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 27.6%

Protein: 20.4%

Carbs: 51.9%