Not Yo Mamma's Red Beans

Get ready to elevate your comfort food game with "Not Yo Mamma's Red Beans," a bold and flavorful twist on the Southern classic. This hearty dish features tender, creamy red kidney beans slow-simmered with smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and the aromatic trinity of onion, bell pepper, and celery. Infused with Cajun spices, paprika, and dried thyme, the rich broth is further deepened with chicken stock and a splash of tangy hot sauce for just the right kick. Perfectly served over fluffy steamed white rice and topped with crumbled bacon and fresh scallions, this recipe is the ultimate soul-soothing meal. With just 20 minutes of prep and a long simmer to unlock its deep, savory flavors, it’s a dish worth the wait. Whether you’re craving authentic New Orleans flair or just looking for a hearty dinner to feed the family, this red beans recipe is sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:180 mins

Total Time:200 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried red kidney beans
• 12 ounces smoked sausage
• 4 strips bacon
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 3 stalks celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 leaves bay leaves
• 1.5 tablespoons cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 cups steamed white rice
• 3 stalks scallions, sliced (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse and sort the dried red beans, discarding any debris. Soak the beans overnight in a large bowl filled with cold water.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon strips and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble, and set aside. Leave the rendered fat in the pot.

Step 4

Slice the smoked sausage into 1/4-inch rounds. Add to the pot with the bacon fat and cook until browned. Remove the sausage and set aside.

Step 5

In the same pot, add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 6

Add the minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 7

Stir in the bay leaves, cajun seasoning, paprika, and dried thyme.

Step 8

Pour the chicken stock and water into the pot. Add the drained beans and bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 9

Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beans are tender and creamy.

Step 10

During the last 30 minutes of cooking, return the smoked sausage to the pot. Stir in the hot sauce, salt, and black pepper.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 12

Serve the red beans over steamed white rice, topped with crumbled bacon and sliced scallions for garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(4573.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4229.7

Total Fat 127.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.5g
Cholesterol 397.6mg	0%
Sodium 12549.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 506.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 83.6g	0%
Total Sugars 32.7g
Protein 266.7g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 1104.1mg	0%
Iron 62.3mg	0%
Potassium 8415.8mg	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: 27.1%

Protein: 25.2%

Carbs: 47.8%