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Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Recipe

Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 13 reviews

Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice is a classic Creole dish featuring slow-cooked kidney beans simmered with andouille sausage, aromatic vegetables, and traditional Cajun spices, served over fluffy long grain white rice. This hearty, flavorful meal embodies the rich culinary heritage of Louisiana and is perfect for a comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Beans and Sausage

  • 1 pound dry kidney beans
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 6 cups water (for beans)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried sage
  • 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced

Rice

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups long grain white rice

Instructions

  1. Gather Ingredients: Collect all ingredients needed for the recipe to ensure a smooth cooking process.
  2. Soak the Beans: Rinse the dry kidney beans thoroughly under cold water, then place them in a large pot and cover with water. Soak them overnight to soften, which shortens cooking time and promotes even cooking.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables become fragrant and slightly softened, enhancing their flavors.
  4. Cook Beans: Rinse the soaked beans again and transfer them to a large pot with 6 cups of fresh water. Stir in the sautéed vegetables along with bay leaves, dried parsley, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and dried sage. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer uncovered for 2 and a half hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  5. Add Sausage: Stir in the sliced andouille sausage to the beans and continue simmering for an additional 30 minutes. This allows the flavors of the sausage to infuse into the beans, creating a rich and smoky taste.
  6. Prepare Rice: While the beans are simmering, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a separate saucepan. Add the long grain white rice, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
  7. Serve: Spoon the rich, flavorful red beans over a bed of steamed white rice. Serve hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

  • Soaking the beans overnight significantly reduces the cooking time and improves texture.
  • For a spicier dish, increase the cayenne pepper or add hot sauce to taste.
  • Leftover red beans and rice reheat well and taste even better the next day.
  • Andouille sausage can be substituted with smoked sausage or kielbasa if unavailable.
  • This dish can be adapted to a vegetarian version by omitting the sausage and adding smoked paprika for depth.

Nutrition

Keywords: Louisiana red beans and rice, Cajun recipe, andouille sausage, Creole beans, traditional southern dish, hearty dinner

Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/authentic-louisiana-red-beans-and-rice-recipe/