Description
Hearty Cajun red beans and rice celebrates Louisiana’s rich culinary heritage with bold spices and creamy legumes. Robust flavors meld perfectly, offering home cooks a delicious journey through southern comfort cuisine you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound dried red kidney beans
- 1/2 pound thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
- 1/4–1/2 pound smoked ham, diced
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 1/2 cups yellow onions, diced
- 1 cup celery stalks, diced
- 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 10 cups chicken stock
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 bay leaves
- Cajun seasoning to taste
- Long grain white rice for serving
Instructions
- Meticulously inspect red beans, discarding any imperfect or foreign particles. Submerge in cold water for 8-12 hours to soften and reduce cooking time.
- Render bacon in a substantial Dutch oven until golden and crisp, creating a flavorful foundation. Transfer bacon to a separate plate, reserving the rendered fat.
- Sear andouille sausage in the bacon drippings, developing a rich caramelized exterior. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the holy trinity of Cajun cooking – onions, bell peppers, and celery – in the same pot until translucent and fragrant. Introduce minced garlic during the final minute of cooking.
- Reintroduce crispy bacon and seared sausage to the vegetable base. Pour in soaked beans, rich stock, traditional Cajun seasonings, and aromatic herbs.
- Simmer the mixture on low heat for approximately 2 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching. Gently crush some beans against the pot’s side to create a luxuriously creamy consistency.
- Taste and refine seasoning profile. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve immediately over steaming white rice, allowing the robust flavors to meld perfectly.
Notes
- Boost bean tenderness by adding a pinch of baking soda during soaking to break down tough fibers and reduce cooking time.
- Create dairy-free version by substituting bacon with smoked paprika and vegetable oil for similar depth of smoky flavor.
- Enhance meal prep efficiency by cooking large batches and freezing portions in airtight containers for quick future meals.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities to match personal spice tolerance without losing authentic Cajun character.
- Prep Time: 8 hours (or up to 12 hours)
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg