Fat Tuesday's Skinny Red Beans

Indulge in the rich, Cajun-inspired flavors of **Fat Tuesday’s Skinny Red Beans**, a healthier twist on a classic Louisiana favorite. This hearty recipe combines tender red kidney beans, vibrant aromatics like onion, celery, and green bell pepper, and a kick of smoked turkey sausage for a lighter yet satisfying take on traditional red beans and rice. Slow-simmered with bold spices including smoked paprika, cayenne, and thyme, this dish boasts layers of smoky, savory, and mildly spicy flavors. Served over a bed of nutty brown rice, it’s a wholesome and delicious dinner option that’s low in fat but big on flavor. Perfect for meal prepping or feeding a crowd, this recipe is a must-try for Fat Tuesday celebrations or any time you're craving a comforting Southern classic. **Keywords:** red beans and rice, healthy Cajun recipe, Fat Tuesday, kidney beans, smoked turkey sausage, Southern comfort food, easy dinner recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:150 mins

Total Time:165 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried red kidney beans
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 3 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 12 oz smoked turkey sausage, thinly sliced
• 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 4 cups cooked brown rice

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried kidney beans to remove any debris. Place the beans in a large pot or bowl, cover with water, and let soak overnight (8–12 hours).

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set them aside.

Step 3

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes, being careful not to let it burn.

Step 6

Add the smoked turkey sausage to the pot and sauté for 3–5 minutes until lightly browned.

Step 7

Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and add the soaked kidney beans to the pot.

Step 8

Stir in the dried thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let simmer for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the liquid has thickened to your desired consistency.

Step 10

If the mixture becomes too thick during cooking, add a little more broth or water to loosen it up.

Step 11

Once the beans are tender, remove the bay leaves and stir in the fresh parsley.

Step 12

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 13

Serve the red beans over warm cooked brown rice. Garnish with extra parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3263.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3486.6

Total Fat 79.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 19.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.5g
Cholesterol 182.2mg	0%
Sodium 7548.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 514.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 91.2g	0%
Total Sugars 29.7g
Protein 192.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 895.9mg	0%
Iron 47.9mg	0%
Potassium 8997.7mg	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: 20.2%

Protein: 21.7%

Carbs: 58.1%