Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe

The Best Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe: This Louisiana Creole Dish is bold and comforting. Learn How To Make Red Beans and Rice like it’s done in the south!

Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe (Our Favorite Version!)

Red Beans and Rice is a nostalgic dish for many people. If you grew up in New Orleans, or at least in the Deep South, you know exactly what I am talking about. 

Cue that jazz music and the permeating smell of spicy sausage sizzling. 

Red Beans and Rice is the type of dish that you would typically find cooking in your neighbor’s kitchen, in the school cafeteria, and in local diners.

It’s also a meal you would eat at southern parties during the fall and winter. The aroma of Red Beans and Rice triggers memories and emotions for many.

For others, this delicious dish is often considered a favorite comfort food. 

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

In the Deep South, Red Beans and Rice are known as a “Monday tradition” for two different reasons. Back in the 19th century, the people of New Orleans enjoyed extensive dinners on Sunday’s, which usually included ham.

They would often save the hambone and leftover scraps to pair with beans and rice for Monday’s meal. Beans would simmer with the hambone and flavors of the meat.

However, others say that the Red Beans and Rice tradition came about because Mondays were laundry day. At that time, laundry was so labor-intensive, the cooks of the house needed a simple, hands-off dish for Monday night dinners.

A good Red Beans and Rice Recipe was the perfect option for households across Louisiana as an easy Monday dinner.

Our Best Red Beans and Rice Recipe Variation

Regardless of how Red Beans and Rice became such a popular dish, we know that it is hearty, comforting, and oh-so tasty.

This Louisiana Creole dish is bold, yet comforting, with perfectly cooked tender beans and smoky sausage, served over white or Carolina Gold rice.

It is filling. It is flavorful. It is spicy. 

Although the most traditional recipes were made with ham scrapes, we love to add spicy Andouille sausage to our Red Beans to give it an intense porky flavor and a bit of kick!

If you’re looking for an Easy Red Beans and Rice Recipe to whip up for your family, or prepare meals throughout the week, our recipe is the perfect match.

You can make it on the stovetop, or throw all of these ingredients in the Crockpot and call it a day!

You can even make it in your Instant Pot with a few substitutions.

Red Beans and Rice Ingredients 

• Long-grain white rice (or Carolina Gold)
• Olive oil
• Andouille sausage, sliced thin
• Sweet onion
• Green bell pepper
• Red bell pepper
• Celery
• Garlic
• Canned kidney beans (We are also sharing instructions on how to make this recipe with dried beans.)
• Water – or chicken broth
• Parsley
• Louisiana-style hot sauce
• Tomato paste
• Bay leaves
• Apple cider vinegar
• Creole (or Cajun) seasoning
  

How To Make Red Beans and Rice (Stovetop)

1. Make the Rice. In a medium saucepan, cook the rice according to the package instructions.
2. Sauté the Sausage. Place a large saucepot over medium heat. Once hot, add the oil and sliced sausages. Stir and brown for 5 minutes. Then remove the sausages with a slotted spoon.
3. Sauté the Veggies. Add the onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Sauté for 4-5 minutes.
4. All In Simmer. Rinse and drain the beans. Pour them into the pot with water. Add the parsley, hot sauce, tomato paste, bay leaves, vinegar, and creole seasoning. Stir the sausage into the beans, and boil-low for 30 minutes, covered. Stir occasionally
5. Taste. Then season with salt, pepper, and additional hot sauce if needed. Ladle the beans into bowls and top with a hearty

How To Make Crockpot Red Beans and Rice (Slow Cooker)

You can make this recipe in the crockpot! However, the rice will still need to be cooked on the stovetop.

Also, you need to sauté the sausage and vegetables in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot to release their flavors.

However, you can then dump all the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.

Slow Cook with Dried Beans: You can save money and cut sodium with dried beans. Plus, when using a crockpot, you do not have to soak the beans overnight.

Substitute 2 ¼ cups dried kidney beans. At step 4, add 4 cups water (total) and slow cook on for 5-6 hours on high or 10-12 hours on low heat.

How To Make Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice

That’s right! It’s even possible to make Easy Red Beans and Rice in your Instant Pot.

However, it only makes sense to do this, if you plan to use dried beans.

That’s because it’s faster on the stovetop when using canned beans.

1. Make the rice on the stovetop.
2. Then follow steps 2 and 3 on the IP Sauté setting.
3. Add 2 ¼ cup soaked dried beans, 4 cups of water, and all remaining ingredients to the IP. Pressure Cook on High for 33 minutes.
4. Perform a natural release and wait for the valve button to drop, about 20 minutes. Then scoop and serve over rice.

Get the Full (Printable) Red Beans and Rice Recipe Below with All 3 Methods!

Best Red Beans and Rice FAQ

• Can you make Red Beans and Rice in the crockpot?
  • As mentioned above, sure you can! Saute the sausage and vegetables in a skillet before adding them to the crockpot, and then dump the ingredients into a slow cooker and cook for 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low. The rice will still need to be cooked on the stovetop. 
• Is there a vegetarian version of Red Beans and Rice?
  • Of course! Just remove the sausage completely, or find a plant-based protein to add in the recipe. 
• Can I use dried beans instead of canned beans?
  • You betchya! Substitute 2 ¼ cups dried kidney beans that have been soaked in water overnight. Then add extra water. (See the recipe below for details.)
• How can I make the Red Beans and Rice spicier?
  • You can always add more hot sauce to make this recipe hotter!
• How long does Red Beans and Rice last?
  • It should last anywhere from three to five days in the refrigerator. 
• Is Red Beans and Rice Cajun or Creole?
  • It is traditionally a Creole dish, not a Cajun dish. 

More Southern Comfort Food Recipes

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• Broccoli Cheese Cornbread
• The Ultimate Macaroni Salad
• Nana’s Epic Ham Bone Soup
• Southern Collard Greens
• Classic Jambalaya

More Bean Recipes

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• Market Bean Salad
• Hoppin’ John
• Instant Pot Baked Beans
• Black Bean Skillet Enchiladas

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