Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice Recipe
This Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice recipe is a classic Southern comfort dish featuring tender kidney beans simmered with aromatic vegetables, traditional Cajun spices, and smoky andouille sausage, served over fluffy long grain white rice. Perfect for a hearty and flavorful meal that brings the spirit of Louisiana right to your table.
- Prep Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 15 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Louisiana Cajun
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
- Prepare the Beans: Rinse the dry kidney beans thoroughly, then soak them overnight in a large pot of water to soften and reduce cooking time.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, celery, and minced garlic. Cook the vegetables for 3 to 4 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Combine and Simmer: Drain the soaked beans and transfer them to a large pot with 6 cups of fresh water. Stir the sautéed vegetables into the pot. Add bay leaves, dried parsley, thyme, Cajun seasoning, cayenne pepper, and dried sage. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for 2½ hours, allowing the flavors to develop and the beans to become tender.
- Add Sausage: Stir sliced andouille sausage into the simmering beans. Continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes to heat the sausage through and infuse the dish with its smoky flavor.
- Cook Rice: While the beans finish cooking, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add the long grain white rice, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and fluffy.
- Serve: Plate a bed of steamed rice and ladle the hearty red beans and sausage mixture over the top. Serve hot for a traditional Louisiana meal experience.
Notes
- Soaking the beans overnight is essential for even cooking and better texture.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning amounts if you prefer more or less heat.
- Andouille sausage can be substituted with smoked sausage if not available.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors deepen.
- This dish pairs well with a side of cornbread or a green salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: Red Beans and Rice, Louisiana recipe, Cajun beans, Andouille sausage, Southern comfort food, kidney beans, classic Louisiana
