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Cozy Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage

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A comforting and hearty dish featuring smoky andouille sausage simmered with tender red beans and fragrant Cajun spices, served over fluffy white rice. Perfect for cozy family dinners and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried red kidney beans, rinsed and sorted (or canned for shortcut)
  • 1 pound andouille sausage, sliced (smoked recommended)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 2 whole bay leaves
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups long grain white rice, cooked separately
  • 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
  • Hot sauce (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. If using dried beans, rinse thoroughly and soak overnight or quick-soak by boiling for 5 minutes then letting sit for 1 hour.
  2. In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, brown the sliced andouille sausage over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until caramelized. Remove sausage and set aside, leaving drippings in pot.
  3. Add chopped onion, bell pepper, and celery to the pot. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
  4. Drain soaked beans and add to the pot along with bay leaves, thyme, smoked paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Stir to coat beans and veggies with spices.
  5. Pour in 6 cups chicken broth. 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.
  6. About 20 minutes before beans are done, stir browned andouille back into the pot. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Add water or broth if mixture is too thick.
  7. While beans simmer, cook rice according to package instructions (about 20 minutes). Fluff with a fork once done.
  8. Remove bay leaves, stir well, and let beans rest off heat for 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Soaking beans overnight reduces cooking time and improves digestibility. Brown sausage in batches to avoid steaming. Stir beans occasionally during simmering to prevent scorching. Adjust seasoning gradually. For creamier texture, mash some beans against pot side. Slow cooking deepens flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: red beans and rice, andouille sausage, Cajun recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, smoky sausage, family meal

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/cozy-red-beans-and-rice-with-andouille-sausage-recipe-easy-homemade-meal/