Mike's Great Red Beans and Rice

Dive into Southern comfort with Mike's Great Red Beans and Rice, a hearty and flavorful one-pot meal that's perfect for family dinners or meal prep. This Louisiana-inspired classic combines tender, slow-simmered red kidney beans with smoky andouille sausage, aromatic vegetables like onion, bell pepper, and celery, and a bold blend of spices, including smoked paprika and cayenne pepper, for just the right kick. Simmered to perfection in a savory chicken broth, this dish achieves a rich, thick sauce that pairs beautifully with fluffy white rice. Garnish with vibrant green onions and a splash of hot sauce for extra zing. With minimal prep and a satisfying blend of textures and flavors, this recipe is a go-to for cozy, soul-warming meals. Perfect for fans of Cajun cuisine, this recipe is fully optimized to satisfy your craving for authentic Southern cooking!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:120 mins

Total Time:140 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried red kidney beans
• 8 cups water
• 12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 pieces bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups cooked white rice
• 0.5 cups green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 0 hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the dried red kidney beans thoroughly and soak them overnight in a large bowl of cold water. Drain before cooking.

Step 2

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced andouille sausage and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pot and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion, bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5-7 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.

Step 5

Add the drained red kidney beans, chicken broth, water, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.

Step 7

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, return the browned sausage to the pot to heat through.

Step 8

Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 9

Remove the bay leaves before serving.

Step 10

Serve the red beans over steamed white rice, garnished with sliced green onions. Add hot sauce for extra heat if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4888.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3844.1

Total Fat 123.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 38.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.1g
Cholesterol 240.1mg	0%
Sodium 9298.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 505.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 82.9g	0%
Total Sugars 31.3g
Protein 192.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1212.8mg	0%
Iron 55.4mg	0%
Potassium 9405.2mg	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: 28.5%

Protein: 19.7%

Carbs: 51.8%