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Cozy Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage

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A comforting and hearty Southern-inspired dish featuring smoky sausage and tender red beans simmered to perfection, served over fluffy white rice. Perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight or quick-soaked
  • 1 pound smoked sausage (Andouille or Kielbasa recommended), sliced
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice, cooked separately
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound dried red kidney beans under cold water. Soak overnight in plenty of water, or quick-soak by boiling for 2 minutes, then letting sit for 1 hour. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons oil. Brown 1 pound sliced smoked sausage for 5-7 minutes until caramelized. Remove and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, add diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes until softened, stirring often. Add minced garlic in the last minute.
  4. In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, combine soaked beans, sautéed vegetables, browned sausage, chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Stir well.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 1 to 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until beans are tender but not mushy. Add water or broth if liquid reduces too much.
  6. While beans simmer, cook 2 cups long-grain white rice according to package instructions. Fluff and keep warm.
  7. Remove bay leaves. Season beans with salt and black pepper to taste. For creamier texture, mash some beans gently against pot sides and stir.
  8. Serve hot beans and sausage over fluffy white rice. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired.

Notes

Keep heat low during simmering to avoid splitting beans or burning. Stir every 15 minutes. Season with salt at the end to prevent toughening beans. For creamier texture, mash some beans gently. Use gluten-free sausage for gluten-free option. Vegetarian version can use smoked tempeh or tofu and vegetable broth. Slow cooker adaptation: cook on low 6-8 hours, add rice before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, smoked sausage, comfort food, Cajun recipe, easy dinner, Southern cooking, hearty meal

Find it online: https://lucastable.com/cozy-red-beans-and-rice-with-smoked-sausage-easy-homemade-recipe-for-comfort-food/